Senate Bill S7480A

                                BILL NUMBER:S7480A

TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to the
sale of wine and beer for consumption upon the premises at the New York
state fair

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this legislation is to allow a holder of a temporary wine
and beer permit to sell wine for consumption upon the premises at the
New York state fairgrounds during the annual fair.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - Adds a new subdivision 3 in section 97 of the alcoholic
beverage control law to allow a holder of a temporary wine and beer
permit to sell NY manufactured wine for consumption upon the premises at
the New York state fairgrounds during the annual fair.

Section 2 - Immediate effective date.

JUSTIFICATION:
Chapter 183 of the Laws of 2008 authorized licensed wineries or farm
wineries holding a concessionaire's license to sell wine by the glass
for consumption on the Fairgrounds. Prior to the enactment of this law,
patrons who purchased New York State wines could only consume such wine
within the confines of the Wine Court.
              

This recently-enacted statute sought to reconcile the laws regarding
beer consumption and wine consumption on the Fairgrounds, and allowing
patrons to walk freely with wine purchased from wineries and farm winer-
ies proved to be a significant step in that direction.  Interpreted
literally, however, patrons are still prohibited from enjoying wine
outside the Wine Court if the wine is purchased from a vendor who is not
licensed as a winery or farm winery.

This causes a great deal of confusion on behalf of both patrons and
vendors, who would also like an opportunity to further promote New
York's finest Riesling, Pinot Gris or Pinot Noir. This is especially the
case because fair goers can traverse the Fair with beer purchased from
these vendors. This legislation simply seeks to finally actualize the
parity sought by the 2008 statute.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.