MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Ways and Means
By: Representative Watson
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 67-1-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THAT PERSONS APPOINTED DIRECTOR, AGENT OR INSPECTOR FOR THE STATE TAX COMMISSION UNDER THE LOCAL OPTION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CONTROL LAW MUST HAVE RESIDED WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FOR THE FIVE SUCCESSIVE YEARS PRECEDING THE DATE OF THEIR APPOINTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES A MANAGER OR EMPLOYEE OF A LICENSED PREMISES UNDER THE LIGHT WINE AND BEER LAWS TO BE A RESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI IF HE IS ALSO AN OFFICER, DIRECTOR OR SHAREHOLDER IN A CORPORATION THAT IS THE HOLDER OF THE PERMIT FOR THE LICENSED PREMISES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 67-1-37, 67-3-31, 67-3-37 AND 67-3-74, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND UNTIL JULY 1, 2011, THE REPEAL DATE ON THE PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW THE ENFORCEMENT AGENTS OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL DIVISION OF THE STATE TAX COMMISSION TO ENFORCE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE LIGHT WINE AND BEER LAWS AND TO AUTHORIZE SUCH AGENTS TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF THE LIGHT WINE AND BEER LAW THAT PROHIBIT RETAILERS FROM POSSESSING OR SELLING LIGHT WINE OR BEER BEFORE THEY HAVE SECURED A PERMIT OR DURING THE TIME THEIR PERMIT IS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED; TO AMEND SECTION 67-1-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A DISTILLER, WINE MANUFACTURER, BREWER, RECTIFIER, BLENDER OR BOTTLER OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO HAVE A FINANCIAL INTEREST IN A PREMISES UPON WHICH ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE SOLD AT RETAIL BY A PERMITTEE OR IN THE BUSINESS OF THE PERMITTEE IF THE PERMITTEE DOES NOT SELL OR SERVE ANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PRODUCED BY SUCH DISTILLER, WINE MANUFACTURER, BREWER, RECTIFIER, BLENDER OR BOTTLER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 67-1-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-1-25. No person shall be appointed director, agent or inspector for the commission under this chapter who is not a citizen of the United States * * *. No director, agent, inspector or other employee shall be appointed under this chapter who has been convicted of any violation of any federal or state law concerning the manufacture, sale or possession of alcoholic liquor prior or subsequent to July 1, 1966, or who has paid a fine or penalty in settlement of any prosecution against him for any violation of such laws or shall have forfeited his bond to appear in court to answer charges for any such violation, nor shall any person be so appointed who has been convicted of a felony in any state or federal court. No person appointed or employed by the commission under this chapter may, directly or indirectly, individually or as a member of a partnership or limited liability company, or as a shareholder of a corporation, have any interest whatsoever in the manufacture, sale or distribution of alcoholic liquor, or receive any compensation or profit therefrom, or have any interest whatsoever in the purchases or sales made by the persons authorized by this chapter to purchase or to sell alcoholic liquor.
This section shall not prevent any person appointed or employed by the commission from purchasing and keeping in his possession for the use of himself or members of his family or guests any alcoholic liquor which may be purchased or kept by any other person by virtue of this chapter.
SECTION 2. Section 67-3-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-3-19. Where application is made for a permit to engage in the business of a retailer of light wine or beer, the applicant shall show in his application that he possesses the following qualifications:
(a) Applicant must be a person at least twenty-one (21) years of age, of good moral character and a resident of the State of Mississippi.
(b) Applicant shall not have been convicted of a felony, or of pandering or of keeping or maintaining a house of prostitution, or have been convicted within two (2) years of the date of his application of any violation of the laws of this state or the laws of the United States relating to alcoholic liquor.
(c) Applicant shall not have had revoked, except for a violation of Section 67-3-52, within two (2) years next preceding his application, any license or permit issued to him pursuant to the laws of this state, or any other state, to sell alcoholic liquor of any kind.
(d) Applicant shall be the owner of the premises for which the permit is sought or the holder of an existing lease thereon.
(e) Applicant shall not be residentially domiciled with any person whose permit has been revoked for cause, except for a violation of Section 67-3-52, within two (2) years next preceding the date of the present application for a permit.
(f) The applicant has not had any license or permit to sell beer or light wine at retail revoked, within five (5) years next preceding his application, due to a violation of Section 67-3-52.
(g) Applicant shall not employ any person whose permit has been revoked when such person owned or operated the business on the premises for which a permit is sought or allow such person to have any financial interest in the business of the applicant, until such person is qualified to obtain a permit in his own name.
(h) The applicant is not indebted to the State of Mississippi for any taxes.
(i) If applicant is a partnership, all members of the partnership must be qualified to obtain a permit. Each member of the partnership must be a resident of the State of Mississippi.
(j) If applicant is a corporation, all officers and directors thereof, and any stockholder owning more than five percent (5%) of the stock of such corporation, and the person or persons who shall conduct and manage the licensed premises for the corporation shall possess all the qualifications required herein for any individual permittee. However, the requirements as to residence shall not apply to officers, directors and stockholders of such corporation * * *.
Any misstatement or concealment of fact in an application shall be ground for denial of the application or for revocation of the permit issued thereon.
The commissioner may refuse to issue a permit to an applicant for a place that is frequented by known criminals, prostitutes, or other law violators or troublemakers who disturb the peace and quietude of the community and frequently require the assistance of peace officers to apprehend such law violators or to restore order. The burden of proof of establishing the foregoing shall rest upon the commissioner.
SECTION 3. Section 67-1-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]
67-1-37. The State Tax Commission, under its duties and powers with respect to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division therein, shall have the following powers, functions and duties:
(a) To issue or refuse to issue any permit provided for by this chapter, or to extend the permit or remit in whole or any part of the permit monies when the permit cannot be used due to a natural disaster or Act of God.
(b) To revoke, suspend or cancel, for violation of or noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, or the law governing the production and sale of native wines, or any lawful rules and regulations of the commission issued hereunder, or for other sufficient cause, any permit issued by it under the provisions of this chapter; however, no such permit shall be revoked, suspended or cancelled except after a hearing of which the permit holder shall have been given reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. The board shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
(c) To prescribe forms of permits and applications for permits and of all reports which it deems necessary in administering this chapter.
(d) To fix standards, not in conflict with those prescribed by any law of this state or of the United States, to secure the use of proper ingredients and methods of manufacture of alcoholic beverages.
(e) To issue rules regulating the advertising of alcoholic beverages in the state in any class of media and permitting advertising of the retail price of alcoholic beverages.
(f) To issue reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the federal laws or regulations, requiring informative labeling of all alcoholic beverages offered for sale within this state and providing for the standards of fill and shapes of retail containers of alcoholic beverages; however, such containers shall not contain less than fifty (50) milliliters by liquid measure.
(g) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of Section 67-1-51, to issue rules and regulations governing the issuance of retail permits for premises located near or around schools, colleges, universities, churches and other public institutions, and specifying the distances therefrom within which no such permit shall be issued. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall not allow the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on the campus of any public school or college, and no alcoholic beverage shall be for sale or consumed at any public athletic event at any grammar or high school or any college.
(h) To adopt and promulgate, repeal and amend, such rules, regulations, standards, requirements and orders, not inconsistent with this chapter or any law of this state or of the United States, as it deems necessary to control the manufacture, importation, transportation, distribution and sale of alcoholic liquor, whether intended for beverage or nonbeverage use in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or any other statute, including the native wine laws.
(i) To call upon other administrative departments of the state, county and municipal governments, county and city police departments and upon prosecuting officers for such information and assistance as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties.
(j) To prepare and submit to the Governor during the month of January of each year a detailed report of its official acts during the preceding fiscal year ending June 30, including such recommendations as it may see fit to make, and to transmit a like report to each member of the Legislature of this state upon the convening thereof at its next regular session.
(k) To inspect, or cause to be inspected, any premises where alcoholic liquors intended for sale are manufactured, stored, distributed or sold, and to examine or cause to be examined all books and records pertaining to the business conducted therein.
(l) In the conduct of any hearing authorized to be held by the commission, to hear testimony and take proof material for its information in the discharge of its duties under this chapter; to issue subpoenas, which shall be effective in any part of this state, requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records; to administer or cause to be administered oaths; and to examine or cause to be examined any witness under oath. Any court of record, or any judge thereof, may by order duly entered require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books subpoenaed by the commission, and such court or judge may compel obedience to its or his order by proceedings for contempt.
(m) To investigate the administration of laws in relation to alcoholic liquors in this and other states and any foreign countries, and to recommend from time to time to the Governor and through him to the Legislature of this state such amendments to this chapter, if any, as it may think desirable.
(n) To designate hours and days when alcoholic beverages may be sold in different localities in the state which permit such sale.
(o) To assign employees to posts of duty at locations where they will be most beneficial for the control of alcoholic beverages, to remove, to dismiss, to suspend without pay, to act as a trial board in hearings based upon charges against employees. After twelve (12) months' service, no employee shall be removed, dismissed, demoted or suspended without just cause and only after being furnished with reasons for such removal, dismissal, demotion or suspension, and upon request given a hearing in his own defense.
(p) All hearings conducted by the commission shall be open to the public, and, when deemed necessary, a written transcript shall be made of the testimony introduced thereat.
(q) To enforce the provisions made unlawful by Sections 67-3-13, 67-3-15, 67-3-53, 67-3-57 and 67-3-70.
[From and after July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]
67-1-37. The State Tax Commission, under its duties and powers with respect to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division therein, shall have the following powers, functions and duties:
(a) To issue or refuse to issue any permit provided for by this chapter, or to extend the permit or remit in whole or any part of the permit monies when the permit cannot be used due to a natural disaster or Act of God.
(b) To revoke, suspend or cancel, for violation of or noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, or the law governing the production and sale of native wines, or any lawful rules and regulations of the commission issued hereunder, or for other sufficient cause, any permit issued by it under the provisions of this chapter; however, no such permit shall be revoked, suspended or cancelled except after a hearing of which the permit holder shall have been given reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. The board shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
(c) To prescribe forms of permits and applications for permits and of all reports which it deems necessary in administering this chapter.
(d) To fix standards, not in conflict with those prescribed by any law of this state or of the United States, to secure the use of proper ingredients and methods of manufacture of alcoholic beverages.
(e) To issue rules regulating the advertising of alcoholic beverages in the state in any class of media and permitting advertising of the retail price of alcoholic beverages.
(f) To issue reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the federal laws or regulations, requiring informative labeling of all alcoholic beverages offered for sale within this state and providing for the standards of fill and shapes of retail containers of alcoholic beverages; however, such containers shall not contain less than fifty (50) milliliters by liquid measure.
(g) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of Section 67-1-51, to issue rules and regulations governing the issuance of retail permits for premises located near or around schools, colleges, universities, churches and other public institutions, and specifying the distances therefrom within which no such permit shall be issued. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall not allow the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on the campus of any public school or college, and no alcoholic beverage shall be for sale or consumed at any public athletic event at any grammar or high school or any college.
(h) To adopt and promulgate, repeal and amend, such rules, regulations, standards, requirements and orders, not inconsistent with this chapter or any law of this state or of the United States, as it deems necessary to control the manufacture, importation, transportation, distribution and sale of alcoholic liquor, whether intended for beverage or nonbeverage use in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or any other statute, including the native wine laws.
(i) To call upon other administrative departments of the state, county and municipal governments, county and city police departments and upon prosecuting officers for such information and assistance as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties.
(j) To prepare and submit to the Governor during the month of January of each year a detailed report of its official acts during the preceding fiscal year ending June 30, including such recommendations as it may see fit to make, and to transmit a like report to each member of the Legislature of this state upon the convening thereof at its next regular session.
(k) To inspect, or cause to be inspected, any premises where alcoholic liquors intended for sale are manufactured, stored, distributed or sold, and to examine or cause to be examined all books and records pertaining to the business conducted therein.
(l) In the conduct of any hearing authorized to be held by the commission, to hear testimony and take proof material for its information in the discharge of its duties under this chapter; to issue subpoenas, which shall be effective in any part of this state, requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records; to administer or cause to be administered oaths; and to examine or cause to be examined any witness under oath. Any court of record, or any judge thereof, may by order duly entered require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books subpoenaed by the commission, and such court or judge may compel obedience to its or his order by proceedings for contempt.
(m) To investigate the administration of laws in relation to alcoholic liquors in this and other states and any foreign countries, and to recommend from time to time to the Governor and through him to the Legislature of this state such amendments to this chapter, if any, as it may think desirable.
(n) To designate hours and days when alcoholic beverages may be sold in different localities in the state which permit such sale.
(o) To assign employees to posts of duty at locations where they will be most beneficial for the control of alcoholic beverages, to remove, to dismiss, to suspend without pay, to act as a trial board in hearings based upon charges against employees. After twelve (12) months' service, no employee shall be removed, dismissed, demoted or suspended without just cause and only after being furnished with reasons for such removal, dismissal, demotion or suspension, and upon request given a hearing in his own defense.
(p) All hearings conducted by the commission shall be open to the public, and, when deemed necessary, a written transcript shall be made of the testimony introduced thereat.
SECTION 4. Section 67-3-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]
67-3-31. Proceedings for the revocation or suspension of any permit authorizing the sale of beer or wine at retail for a violation of any of the provisions of Section 67-3-53 may be brought in the circuit or county court of the county in which the licensed premises are located. Such proceedings shall be entitled in the name of the state and against the permittee and shall be instituted by filing a complaint with the clerk of the court. The complaint may be filed by the county prosecuting attorney of the county upon his own initiative or, then by the district attorney of the district in which the county is located, and it shall be mandatory upon the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, to file a complaint when requested to do so by a peace officer or any person as * * * provided in this section. Any peace officer within his jurisdiction or any enforcement officer of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division within the State Tax Commission who learns that a retail permittee within his jurisdiction has violated any of the provisions of such section shall file with the county prosecuting attorney of the county in which the licensed premises are located, or, then with the district attorney of the district in which such county is located, an affidavit specifying in detail the facts alleged to constitute such violation, and requesting that a complaint be filed against the permittee for the revocation or suspension of his permit. A like affidavit may be filed with the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, by any person who resides, and has for at least one (1) year prior thereto resided within the county in which the licensed premises are located requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permittee's permit. Promptly upon receiving any such affidavit the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, shall prepare a proper complaint, which shall be signed and sworn to by the person or persons filing the affidavit with him, and the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney shall file the complaint with the clerk of the circuit or county court.
[From and after July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]
67-3-31. Proceedings for the revocation or suspension of any permit authorizing the sale of beer or wine at retail for a violation of any of the provisions of Section 67-3-53 may be brought in the circuit or county court of the county in which the licensed premises are located. Such proceedings shall be entitled in the name of the state and against the permittee and shall be instituted by filing a complaint with the clerk of the court. The complaint may be filed by the county prosecuting attorney of the county upon his own initiative or, then by the district attorney of the district in which the county is located, and it shall be mandatory upon the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, to file a complaint when requested to do so by a peace officer or any person as * * * provided in this section. Any peace officer who learns that a retail permittee within his jurisdiction has violated any of the provisions of such section shall file with the county prosecuting attorney of the county in which the licensed premises are located, or, then with the district attorney of the district in which such county is located, an affidavit specifying in detail the facts alleged to constitute such violation, and requesting that a complaint be filed against the permittee for the revocation or suspension of his permit. A like affidavit may be filed with the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, by any person who resides, and has for at least one (1) year prior thereto resided within the county in which the licensed premises are located requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permittee's permit. Promptly upon receiving any such affidavit the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, shall prepare a proper complaint, which shall be signed and sworn to by the person or persons filing the affidavit with him, and the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney shall file the complaint with the clerk of the circuit or county court.
SECTION 5. Section 67-3-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]
67-3-37. It shall be the duty of the county prosecuting attorney or the district attorney, as the case may be, to file complaints as provided in Section 67-3-31 and to prosecute diligently and without delay all complaints filed by him.
It shall be the duty of all peace officers, within their jurisdiction, and all enforcement officers of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State Tax Commission to enforce the provisions of Section 67-3-53 and they shall frequently visit all licensed premises within their jurisdiction to determine whether such permittees are complying with the laws. They shall promptly investigate all complaints made to them by any citizen relative to any alleged violations of such section within their jurisdiction. When any peace officer or enforcement officer of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division has knowledge of a violation of such section committed by a permittee within his jurisdiction, it shall be his duty forthwith to file an affidavit with the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permit of the permittee.
[From and after July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]
67-3-37. It shall be the duty of the county prosecuting attorney or the district attorney, as the case may be, to file complaints as provided in Section 67-3-31 and to prosecute diligently and without delay all complaints filed by him.
It shall be the duty of all peace officers to enforce, within their jurisdiction, the provisions of Section 67-3-53 and they shall frequently visit all licensed premises within their jurisdiction to determine whether such permittees are complying with the laws. They shall promptly investigate all complaints made to them by any citizen relative to any alleged violations of such section within their jurisdiction. When any peace officer has knowledge of a violation of such section committed by a permittee within his jurisdiction, it shall be his duty forthwith to file an affidavit with the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permit of the permittee.
SECTION 6. Section 67-3-74, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-3-74. (1) In addition to peace officers within their jurisdiction, all enforcement officers of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State Tax Commission are authorized to enforce the provisions made unlawful by Sections 67-3-13, 67-3-15, 67-3-53, 67-3-57 and 67-3-70; provided, however, that the provisions prohibiting the sale of light wine or beer to persons under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall be enforced by the division as provided for in this section.
(2) (a) The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall investigate violations of the laws prohibiting the sale of light wine or beer to persons under the age of twenty-one (21) years upon receipt of a complaint or information from a person stating that they have knowledge of such violation.
(b) Upon receipt of such complaint or information, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall notify the permit holder of the complaint by certified mail to the primary business office of such permit holder or by hand delivery of the complaint or information to the primary business office of such holder, except in cases where the complaint or information is received from any law enforcement officer.
(c) If an enforcement officer of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division enters the business of the holder of the permit to investigate a complaint and discovers a violation, the agent shall notify the person that committed the violation and the holder of the permit:
(i) Within ten (10) days after such violation, Sundays and holidays excluded, if the business sells light wine or beer for on-premises consumption; and
(ii) Within seventy-two (72) hours after such violation, Sundays and holidays excluded, if the business does not sell light wine or beer for on-premises consumption.
(3) The provisions of this section shall be repealed on July 1, 2011.
SECTION 7. Section 67-1-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-1-77. (1) It shall be unlawful for the holder of a manufacturer's or wholesaler's permit, or anyone connected with the business of such holder, or for any other distiller, wine manufacturer, brewer, rectifier, blender, or bottler, to have any financial interest in any premises upon which any alcoholic beverage is sold at retail by any permittee, or in the business conducted by such permittee, except that:
(a) The holder of a manufacturer's or wholesaler's permit may contract for the service of a representative in the area of governmental affairs on a part-time basis with a holder of an on-premises permit.
(b) A distiller, wine manufacturer, brewer, rectifier, blender or bottler may have a financial interest in a premises upon which alcoholic beverages are sold at retail by a permittee, or in the business conducted by a permittee, if the permittee does not sell or serve any alcoholic beverages that are distilled, manufactured, brewed, rectified, blended or bottled by the distiller, wine manufacturer, brewer, rectifier, blender or bottler having the financial interest in the premises or in the business conducted by a permittee.
(2) It shall also be unlawful for any such person, or anyone connected with his, its, or their business to lend any money or make any gift or offer any gratuity, to any retail permittee, except as authorized by regulations of the commission, to the holder of any retail permit issued under the provisions of this chapter. Except as above provided, no retail permittee shall accept, receive, or make use of any money or gift furnished by any such person, or become indebted to such person except for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.
(3) The commission shall not prohibit the furnishing of advertising specialties, printed materials, or other things having nominal value to a retail permittee. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the possession by any person of advertising specialties, printed materials, or other things having nominal value furnished by a retail permittee.
(4) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
SECTION 8. Section 8 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The remainder of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.