House Bill 223

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING A STUDY OF CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE INDUSTRY AND THE OPERATIONS OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL DIVISION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2019.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much of it as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Finance and Administration for the purpose of conducting a study of certain aspects of the alcoholic beverage industry and the operations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Revenue as provided in Section 2 of this act for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018, and ending June 30, 2019 $ 75,000.00.

SECTION 2. With the funds appropriated under Section 1 of this act, the Department of Finance and Administration shall contract with a third party to conduct a study and make recommendations to the Legislature for the 2019 Regular Session on the following:

(a) The impact that allowing the sale of wines of more than five percent (5%) of alcohol by weight in retail food stores would have on the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD) with regard to the increased demand for wine and the effect on available supply of wine in the state; and

(b) The current operations of the ABCD and recommended modifications to the ABCD system to improve capacity and supply for permit holders, improve the process for issuing permits, placing orders and making reports to the ABCD, and increase the points of shipment for orders.

SECTION 3. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.