Senate Bill S341

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S341

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
prohibited fees

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would prohibit wholesalers of alcoholic beverages from impos-
ing any fees upon New York State retailers.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends section 104 of the alcoholic beverage control law by
adding a new subdivision 12, which prohibits wholesalers from assessing
any fee upon any NYS-licensed retailer in addition to the purchase price
of alcoholic beverages.

Section 2: Sets effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Wholesalers of alcoholic beverages routinely levy large fees on retail-
ers as part of the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Many common services
that should naturally occur within the course of business come with a
value-added charge attached, and retailers largely cannot avoid them.
This bill would ensure price certainty and fairness in the cost of goods
for NYS retailers by precluding exploitative practices on behalf of
wholesalers.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate

2021: S3808-A, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

2022: S3808-A, Amended and Recommitted to Investigations and Government
Operations

2023: S4351, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

2024: S4351, Referred to Investigations and Government Operations

Assembly

2021: N/A

2022: A10392, Referred to Economic Development

2023: N/A

2024: A9078, Referred to Economic Development

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or
repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of
this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
on or before such effective date.