GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2021
SESSION LAW 2022-44
HOUSE BILL 768
AN ACT to MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LAWS OF THIS STATE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 18B‑1103 is repealed.
CREATE PACKAGING AND LOGISTICS PERMIT
SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 18B‑902(d) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(51) Packaging and logistics permit $300.00."
SECTION 2.(b) Article 11 of Chapter 18B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 18B‑1110.1. Authorization of packaging and logistics permit.
(a) Authorization. The holder of a packaging and logistics permit may:
(b) Limitation. A packaging and logistics permit does not authorize the permit holder to engage in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages except for packaging, repackaging, labeling, and relabeling as provided in subsection (a) of this section. A holder of a packaging and logistics permit may not sell, deliver, or ship malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, or spirituous liquor directly to consumers or to retail establishments in this State. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to abrogate the provisions of G.S. 18B‑1119.
(c) Distribution Agreements. Malt beverage and wine distribution agreements applicable between a wholesaler and an original supplier are governed by Articles 12 and 13 of this Chapter."
SECTION 2.(c) This section becomes effective August 1, 2022.
REPEAL PURCHASE‑TRANSPORTATION PERMIT
SECTION 3.(a) G.S. 18B‑101(2) reads as rewritten:
"(2) "ABC permit" or "permits"
means any written or printed authorization issued by the Commission pursuant to
the provisions of this Chapter, other than a purchase-transportation permit.
Chapter. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, as in the provisions
concerning applications for permits, "ABC permit" or
"permit" means a presently valid permit."
SECTION 3.(b) G.S. 18B‑303 is repealed.
SECTION 3.(c) G.S. 18B‑400 is repealed.
SECTION 3.(d) G.S. 18B‑401(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) Taxis. It shall be
unlawful for a person operating a for‑hire passenger vehicle as defined
in G.S. 20‑4.01(27)f., to transport fortified wine or spirituous
liquor unless the vehicle is transporting a paying passenger who owns the
alcoholic beverage being transported. Not more than eight liters of
fortified wine or spirituous liquor, or combination of the two, may be
transported by each passenger. A violation of this subsection shall not be
grounds for suspension of the driver's license for illegal transportation of intoxicating
liquors under G.S. 20‑16(a)(8)."
SECTION 3.(e) G.S. 18B‑402 is repealed.
SECTION 3.(f) G.S. 18B‑403 is repealed.
SECTION 3.(h) G.S. 18B‑404(a), (b), and (d) are repealed.
SECTION 3.(i) G.S. 18B‑405 is repealed.
SECTION 3.(j) G.S. 18B‑406 is repealed.
SECTION 3.(k) G.S. 18B‑600(e2) reads as rewritten:
"(e2) Ski Resorts ABC
Elections. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any city
that provides governmental services to as many as 1,000 snow skiers weekly
during the normal ski season from December 1 through March 15, may hold an
election authorized by subdivision (a)(1), (2), or (4) of this section. If the
sale of mixed beverages is approved, purchase-transportation permits shall
be issued and the sales of liquor shall be made by any local board
designated by the State ABC Commission."
SECTION 3.(l) G.S. 18B‑603 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑603. Effect of alcoholic beverage elections on issuance of permits.
(d2) If a county or city holds
a mixed beverage election and an ABC store election at the same time and the
voters do not approve the establishment of an ABC store, the Commission may
issue mixed beverages permits in that county or city. The mixed beverages
purchase‑transportation permit authorized by G.S. 18B‑404(b)
shall be issued by a local board operating a store located in the county.
(f2) Permits for Special ABC
Areas. The Commission may issue the permits provided for in G.S. 18B‑1001(1),
G.S. 18B‑1001(2), G.S. 18B‑1001(3), G.S. 18B‑1001(4),
G.S. 18B‑1001(5), G.S. 18B‑1001(6), and G.S. 18B‑1001(10)
to qualified persons and establishments located within a Special ABC area as
defined in G.S. 18B‑101, provided that: (i) if such area is a
municipal corporation, the area shall conduct an election authorized by
subdivision (a)(4) of G.S. 18B‑600, which election may be held
regardless of the number of registered voters located within the municipal
corporation; or (ii) if such area is unincorporated but has within such area a
private association or club, the board of such private association or club
shall call and conduct a special meeting at which meeting a majority of private
association members, club members, lot and home owners, votes and approves the
sale of mixed beverages, and the board certifies the results of such meeting to
the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. The mixed beverages purchase‑transportation
permit authorized by G.S. 18B‑404(b) shall be issued by a local
board operating a store located in the same county as the Special ABC area.
."
SECTION 3.(m) G.S. 18B‑701(a)(7) is repealed.
SECTION 3.(n) G.S. 18B‑901(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) Who Issues. All
ABC permits shall be issued by the Commission. Purchase-transportation
permits shall be issued by local boards or distilleries under G.S. 18B-403."
SECTION 3.(o) G.S. 18B‑1001(10) reads as rewritten:
"(10) Mixed Beverages Permit. A mixed beverages
permit authorizes the retail sale of mixed beverages for consumption on the
premises. The permit also authorizes a mixed beverages permittee (i) to
obtain a purchase-transportation permit under G.S. 18B-403 and 18B-404,
(ii) to obtain an antique spirituous liquor permit under subdivision (20)
of this section, and (iii) section and to use for culinary
purposes spirituous liquor lawfully purchased for use in mixed beverages. The
permit may be issued for any of the following:
."
SECTION 3.(p) G.S. 18B‑1002 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑1002. Special one‑time permits.
(a) Kinds of Permits. In addition to the other permits authorized by this Chapter, the Commission may issue permits for the following activities:
(5) A permit may be issued to
a unit of local government, or to a nonprofit organization or a political
organization to serve wine, malt beverages, and spirituous liquor at a ticketed
event held to allow the unit of local government or organization to raise
funds. For purposes of this subdivision "nonprofit organization"
means an organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3),
501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), 501(c)(19), or 501(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code or is exempt under similar provisions of the General
Statutes as a bona fide nonprofit charitable, civic, religious, fraternal,
patriotic, or veterans' organization or as a nonprofit volunteer fire
department, or as a nonprofit volunteer rescue squad or a bona fide homeowners'
or property owners' association. For purposes of this subdivision
"political organization" means an organization covered by the
provisions of G.S. 163‑96(a)(1) or (2) or a campaign organization
established by or for a person who is a candidate who has filed a notice of
candidacy, paid the filing fees or filed the required petition, and been
certified as a candidate. The issuance of this permit shall also allow the
issuance of a purchase‑transportation permit under G.S. 18B‑403
and 18B‑404 and the use for culinary purposes of spirituous liquor
lawfully purchased for use in mixed beverages. The issuance of this permit
shall also allow a nonprofit organization to offer alcoholic beverages in the manufacturer's
original closed container as a prize in a raffle or sell alcoholic beverages in
the manufacturer's original closed container at auction at the ticketed event
to allow the nonprofit organization to raise funds.
(6) A permit may be issued to
a professional sports organization to allow the retail sale of malt beverages,
unfortified wine, fortified wine, or mixed beverages for consumption on the
premises at a professional sporting event held at a stadium (i) with a seating
capacity of at least 40,000 people and (ii) that is owned or leased by a
constituent institution of The University of North Carolina located in a county
with a population of at least 900,000 people according to the most recent
federal decennial census. The issuance of this permit also allows the
issuance of a purchase‑transportation permit under G.S. 18B‑403
and G.S. 18B‑404. For purposes of this subdivision, the term
"professional sports organization" means an organization that is a
member of an association or league of professional sports organizations that
(i) has 6 or more members, (ii) has total combined revenues from all members
that exceeds ten million dollars ($10,000,000) per year, and (iii) governs the
conduct of its members and regulates the contests and exhibitions in which its
member organizations regularly engage.
."
SECTION 3.(q) G.S. 18B‑1002.1(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) Conditions of
Permit. A permit issued under this section is valid only for the auction
specified in the permit. Any sales under this permit are subject to the
purchase restrictions in G.S. 18B-303."
SECTION 3.(r) G.S. 18B‑1006 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑1006. Miscellaneous provisions on permits.
(k) Residential Private Club and Sports Club Permits. The Commission may issue the permits listed in G.S. 18B‑1001, without approval at an election, to a residential private club or a sports club, except if the sale of mixed beverages is not lawful within a jurisdiction and that locality has voted against the sale of mixed beverages in a referendum conducted on or after September 1, 2001. If the issuance of permits is prohibited by the exception in the previous sentence, the Commission may renew existing permits and may continue to issue permits for a business location that had previously held permits under this subsection. No permit may be issued to any residential private club or sports club that practices discrimination on the basis of race, gender or ethnicity.
The mixed beverages purchase-transportation permit
authorized by G.S. 18B-404(b) shall be issued by a local board operating a
store located in the county.
(p) The Commission shall
issue a special occasion permit under G.S. 18B‑1001(8) to a mixed
beverage permittee in a sports facility occupied by a major league professional
sports team with suites available for sale or lease to patrons of the facility
to authorize patrons to make available alcoholic beverages in those suites as
if the patron were a host of a reception, party or other special occasion. If
the patron occupying the suite so desires, alcoholic beverages by self‑service
may be made available to any person at least 21 years of age possessing a valid
ticket to the event authorizing that person to occupy the suite. At no event
may the patron make available a quantity of alcoholic beverages in excess of
the amount a person is allowed to buy under G.S. 18B‑303(a). A
mixed beverage permittee who holds a permit shall provide mixed beverage tax
paid spirituous liquor for resale by the container in approved sizes of no
larger than 750 milliliters to the host or patron of the suite. This subsection
does not authorize any person possessing a valid ticket to an event at the
facility to bring alcoholic beverages onto the premises and consume those
alcoholic beverages on the premises, or to remove those beverages from the
suite.
."
SECTION 3.(s) G.S. 18B‑1007 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑1007. Additional requirements for mixed beverages permittees.
(a) Purchases. A mixed
beverages permittee may purchase spirituous liquor for resale as mixed
beverages and a guest room cabinet permittee may purchase spirituous liquor for
resale from a guest room cabinet only at an ABC store designated by a local board
and only with a purchase‑transportation permit issued by that local board
under G.S. 18B‑403 and 18B‑404.board.
."
TRANSITION PERIOD FOR ABC PERMITTEE OWNERSHIP CHANGES
SECTION 4. G.S. 18B‑903 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑903. Duration of permit; renewal and transfer.
(c) Change in Ownership.
(1) All Except as provided in
subdivision (2) of this subsection, all permits for an establishment shall
automatically expire and shall be surrendered to the Commission if:
(1)a. Ownership of
the establishment changes; or
(2)b. There is a
change in the membership of the firm, association or partnership owning the
establishment, involving the acquisition of a twenty‑five percent (25%)
or greater share in the firm, association or partnership by someone who did not
previously own a twenty‑five percent (25%) or greater share; or
(3)c. Twenty‑five
percent (25%) or more of the stock of the corporate permittee owning the
establishment is acquired by someone who did not previously own twenty‑five
percent (25%) or more of the stock.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (e) of this section, any person who through contract, lease, management agreement, or change of ownership or transfer of business as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection becomes lawfully entitled to use and control of the premises of an establishment that holds permits immediately prior to such change of ownership may continue to operate the establishment, as successor to the prior permittee, to the same extent as the predecessor permittee until the person receives a temporary or new permit, subject to the following limitations:
a. The person shall provide written or electronic notice to the Commission of the name of the non-permitted person, the name and address of the permitted establishment, and the date of the change in ownership. The person may not operate the establishment as provided in this subdivision until the person has provided notice to the Commission.
b. The person shall submit a new permit application to the Commission within 60 days after the change of ownership. If the person does not apply for a new permit within 60 days, all permits for the establishment shall automatically expire and shall be surrendered to the Commission.
c. The 60-day period to file a new permit application shall only be allowed once per 24 months for each establishment that holds an ABC permit, unless the establishment requests and the Commission grants a waiver of the 24 month requirement. The Commission shall grant a waiver of the 24 month requirement if it determines that the public health, safety, and welfare would not be harmed by granting the waiver.
d. This subdivision shall apply only to establishments that hold ABC permits that are in good standing and that have not been found responsible by the Commission or a court of competent jurisdiction of a gambling, assault, disorderly conduct, prostitution, or controlled substances violation within 12 months prior to the date the non-permitted person becomes entitled to use and control of the establishment.
."
ALLOW ALCOHOL SALES AT PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENTS OCCURRING ON CERTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE CAMPUSES
SECTION 5. G.S. 18B‑1006(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(11) Notwithstanding subdivision (10) of this subsection, the sale of malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, or mixed beverages for consumption on the premises at a professional sporting event held at a stadium owned by a community college that is located in a township that has previously voted to allow the operation of ABC stores, if the Board of Trustees of the community college has voted to allow the issuance of permits for use at the stadium. If a Board of Trustees votes to allow the issuance of permits in accordance with this subdivision, the Board of Trustees shall provide written notice to the Commission that it has voted to allow the issuance of permits. Any permit described in G.S. 18B‑1001, 18B‑1002(a)(2), or 18B‑1002(a)(5) may be issued pursuant to this subdivision to applicants meeting the requirements for the requested permit. For purposes of this subdivision, the premises of a stadium shall include any area that meets all of the following requirements:
a. Is within 500 feet of the furthest exterior building wall, perimeter fence, or permanent fixed perimeter.
b. Is designated by the stadium in a map or written description that clearly defines the boundary of the area, and that map or written description is included in the permit application.
c. Can be designated in a manner that enables the stadium to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Chapter."
REPEAL "PRIVATE BAR" DEFINITION AND ADD A NEW DEFINITION FOR "BAR"
SECTION 6.(a) G.S. 18B‑1000 reads as rewritten:
"§ 18B‑1000. Definitions concerning establishments.
The following requirements and definitions shall apply to this Chapter:
(1) Bar. An establishment that is primarily engaged in the business of selling alcoholic beverages and that does not serve prepared food as defined in G.S. 105‑164.3(179). A bar shall not include a brewery, winery, or distillery.
(1a) Community theatre. An establishment owned and operated by a bona fide nonprofit organization that is engaged solely in the business of sponsoring or presenting amateur or professional theatrical events to the public. A permit issued for a community theatre is valid only during regularly scheduled theatrical events sponsored by such nonprofit organization.
(1a)(1b) Congressionally chartered veterans
organizations. An establishment that is organized as a federally chartered,
nonprofit veterans organization, and is operated solely for patriotic or
fraternal purposes.
(1b)(1c) Convention center. An
establishment that meets either of the following requirements:
a. A publicly owned or operated establishment that is engaged in the business of sponsoring or hosting conventions and similar large gatherings, including auditoriums, armories, civic centers, convention centers, and coliseums.
b. A privately owned facility located in a city that has a population of at least 200,000 but not more than 250,000 by the 2000 federal census and is located in a county that has previously authorized the issuance of mixed beverage permits by referendum. To qualify as a convention center under this subdivision, the facility shall meet each of the following requirements:
1. The facility shall be certified by the appropriate local official as being consistent with the city's redevelopment plan for the area in which the facility is located.
2. The facility shall contain at least 7,500 square feet of floor space that is available for public use and shall be used exclusively for banquets, receptions, meetings, and similar gatherings.
3. The facility's annual gross receipts from the sale of alcoholic beverages shall be less than fifty percent (50%) of the gross receipts paid to all providers at permitted functions for food, nonalcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, service, and facility usage fees (excluding receipts or charges for entertainment and ancillary services not directly related to providing food and beverage service). The person to whom a permit has been issued for a privately owned facility shall be required to maintain copies of all contracts and invoices for items supplied by providers for a period of three years from the date of the event.
A permit issued for a convention center shall be valid only for those parts of the building used for conventions, banquets, receptions, and other events, and only during scheduled activities.
(1c)(1d) Cooking school. An establishment
substantially engaged in the business of operating a school in which cooking
techniques are taught for a fee.
(4e) Private bar. An establishment that is
organized and operated as a for‑profit entity and that is not open to the
general public but is open only to the members of the organization and their
bona fide guests for the purpose of allowing its members and their guests to
socialize and engage in recreation.
."
SECTION 6.(b) G.S. 130A‑247 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A‑247. Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply throughout this Part:
(1) "Bar" is as defined in G.S. 18B-1000(1).
(1a) "Bed and breakfast home" means a business in a private home of not more than eight guest rooms that offers bed and breakfast accommodations for a period of less than one week and that meets all of the following criteria:
a. Does not serve food or drink to the general public for pay.
b. Serves the breakfast meal, the lunch meal, the dinner meal, or a combination of all or some of these three meals, only to overnight guests of the home.
c. Includes the price of breakfast in the room rate. The price of additional meals served shall be listed as a separate charge on the overnight guest's bill rate at the conclusion of the overnight guest's stay.
d. Is the permanent residence of the owner or the manager of the business.
(10) "Private bar" is as defined in
G.S. 18B‑1000(4a).
."
SECTION 6.(c) G.S. 130A‑248(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) For the protection of the public health, the
Commission shall adopt rules governing the sanitation of establishments that
prepare or serve drink or food for pay and establishments that prepare and sell
meat food products or poultry products. However, any establishment that
prepares or serves food or drink to the public, regardless of pay, shall be
subject to the provisions of this Article if the establishment that prepares or
serves food or drink holds an ABC permit, as defined in G.S. 18B‑101,
meets any of the definitions in G.S. 18B‑1000, and does not meet the
definition set forth in G.S. 130A‑247 for a brewery, distillery, private
bar, private club, or winery."
SECTION 6.(d) G.S. 130A‑250(4a) reads as rewritten:
"(4a) Private bars.Bars."
ALLOW DISTILLERIES TO OBTAIN MIXED BEVERAGES CATERING PERMITS
SECTION 7. G.S. 18B‑1001(12) reads as rewritten:
"(12) Mixed Beverages
Catering Permit. A mixed beverages catering permit may be issued to a
hotel, restaurant, or distillery. A mixed beverages catering permit issued to a
hotel or restaurant authorizes a the hotel or a restaurant that
has a mixed beverages permit to bring spirituous liquor onto the premises
where the hotel or restaurant is catering food for an event and to serve the
liquor to guests at the event. A mixed beverages catering permit issued to a
distillery allows the distillery to bring spirituous
liquor onto the premises where a hotel or restaurant is catering food for an
event and serve the liquor to guests at the event, regardless of whether the
hotel or restaurant also holds a mixed beverages catering permit."
ALLOW DISTILLERIES TO SERVE MIXED BEVERAGES CONTAINING THE DISTILLERY'S PRODUCT REGARDLESS OF THE RESULTS OF A LOCAL MIXED BEVERAGE ELECTION
SECTION 8. G.S. 18B‑1105(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(4c) In an area where the sale of mixed beverages has not been approved by a local election, sell mixed beverages containing only spirituous liquor produced at the distillery for consumption on the premises upon obtaining a mixed beverages permit under G.S. 18B‑1001."
EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 9. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 30th day of June, 2022.
s/ Phil Berger
President Pro Tempore of the Senate
s/ Tim Moore
Speaker of the House of Representatives
s/ Roy Cooper
Governor
Approved 3:56 p.m. this 7th day of July, 2022