South Carolina General Assembly
115th Session, 2003-2004

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A70, R139, S407

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Richardson, Hutto and Moore
Document Path: l:\council\bills\gjk\20234sd03.doc

Introduced in the Senate on February 20, 2003
Introduced in the House on April 24, 2003
Last Amended on June 5, 2003
Passed by the General Assembly on June 5, 2003
Governor's Action: June 25, 2003, Signed

Summary: Wine samplings

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2/20/2003  Senate  Introduced and read first time SJ-3
   2/20/2003  Senate  Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-3
   3/26/2003  Senate  Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary 
                        SJ-35
   3/27/2003  Senate  Amended SJ-79
   3/27/2003  Senate  Read second time SJ-79
   4/23/2003  Senate  Read third time and sent to House SJ-31
   4/24/2003  House   Introduced and read first time HJ-18
   4/24/2003  House   Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-18
   5/28/2003  House   Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary HJ-3
    6/3/2003  House   Debate adjourned HJ-68
    6/3/2003  House   Reconsidered HJ-69
    6/3/2003  House   Amended HJ-70
    6/3/2003  House   Read second time HJ-71
    6/4/2003  House   Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments 
                        HJ-13
    6/5/2003  Senate  House amendment amended SJ-64
    6/5/2003  Senate  Returned to House with amendments SJ-64
    6/5/2003  House   Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-279
    6/5/2003          Ratified R 139
   6/25/2003          Signed By Governor
    7/1/2003          Copies available
    7/1/2003          Effective date 06/25/03
    7/2/2003          Act No. 70

View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

2/20/2003
3/26/2003
3/27/2003
5/28/2003
6/3/2003
6/5/2003


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A70, R139, S407)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 61-6-1640 SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ESTABLISHMENT LICENSED TO SERVE MINIBOTTLES IS AUTHORIZED TO CONDUCT SAMPLINGS OF WINES IN EXCESS OF SIXTEEN PERCENT ALCOHOL, CORDIALS, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS, IF THE SAMPLING IS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 12-21-1010, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THE BEER AND WINE TAX, SO AS TO DELETE THE DEFINITION OF "DOMESTIC WINE"; TO ADD SECTION 61-2-135 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT, WHEN A PERSON LICENSED TO SELL ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR OR BEER AND WINE MOVES HIS BUSINESS TO A NEW LOCATION IN THE SAME COUNTY THAT WAS LICENSED IN THE SAME MANNER WITHIN NINETY DAYS OF THE TIME OF THE MOVE, THE PERSON MAY USE HIS CURRENT LICENSE AND IS NOT REQUIRED TO INITIATE A NEW APPLICATION UPON APPROVAL BY THE DEPARTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 61-4-120, RELATING TO SUNDAY SALES OF BEER AND WINE, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION WHICH PROVIDES THAT MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS SECTION ARE UNENFORCEABLE; TO AMEND SECTION 61-4-510, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO OFF-PREMISES BEER AND WINE PERMITS SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE CONDITIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PERMITS; TO AMEND SECTION 61-4-520, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CONDITIONS FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BEER AND WINE PERMITS, SO AS TO REVISE THE SIGN REQUIREMENTS IN REGARD TO NOTICES; TO AMEND SECTION 61-4-1510, RELATING TO APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO OPERATE A BREWERY OR WINERY, SO AS TO REVISE THE FEES AND THE EXPIRATION DATES OF THESE PERMITS; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-180, RELATING TO NOTICE OF APPLICATIONS FOR CERTAIN ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR AND BEVERAGE LICENSES, SO AS TO REVISE THE SIGN REQUIREMENTS IN REGARD TO THIS NOTICE; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-500, RELATING TO TEMPORARY PERMITS FOR AUDITORIUMS, COLISEUMS, AND ARMORIES, SO AS TO PERMIT THE AUTHORITIES IN CHARGE OF PUBLICLY-OWNED AUDITORIUMS, COLISEUMS, AND ARMORIES TO ALLOW THE CONSUMPTION OF BEER, WINE, AND ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AND PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-1510, RELATING TO SEPARATE STORES OR PLACES OF BUSINESS OF RETAIL DEALERS, SO AS TO REVISE THE SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS AND PROHIBIT CERTAIN ADVERTISING TO MINORS; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-1600, RELATING TO MINIBOTTLE LICENSES FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF AN ESTABLISHMENT LICENSED AS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IS PROHIBITED FROM SELLING, MAKING AVAILABLE FOR SALE, OR PERMITTING THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS ON THE LICENSED PREMISES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND TEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-1610, RELATING TO MINIBOTTLE LICENSES FOR FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS OR PLACES OF LODGING, SO AS TO REVISE THE AREAS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT TO WHICH THE LICENSE APPLIES, TO PROVIDE ANY LICENSEE, EMPLOYEE, OR AGENT OF AN ESTABLISHMENT LICENSED AS A FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT OR PLACE OF LODGING IS PROHIBITED FROM SELLING, MAKING AVAILABLE FOR SALE, OR PERMITTING THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS ON THE LICENSED PREMISES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND TEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND TO PROVIDE THAT ANY LICENSEE, EMPLOYEE, OR AGENT OF AN ESTABLISHMENT LICENSED AS A FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT OR PLACE OF LODGING IS PROHIBITED FROM SELLING, MAKING AVAILABLE FOR SALE, OR PERMITTING THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS ON SUNDAY UNLESS THE ESTABLISHMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT SUNDAY A TEMPORARY PERMIT; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-1820, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CRITERIA FOR MINIBOTTLE LICENSES, SO AS TO REVISE THE SIGN REQUIREMENTS IN REGARD TO NOTICES; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-2010, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO TEMPORARY MINIBOTTLE PERMITS UPON A REFERENDUM, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE TREASURER SHALL DISTRIBUTE THE FEES FROM SUCH PERMITS AND REVISE THE REFERENDUM PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-4010, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL MANUFACTURE OR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR, SO AS TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR SUCH OFFENSES; TO AMEND SECTION 61-6-4170, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL ADVERTISING OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR ON BILLBOARDS ALONG PUBLIC STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, SO AS TO REVISE THIS PROHIBITION BY MAKING IT UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO ADVERTISE ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS BY MEANS OF BILLBOARDS ALONG PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND STREETS BY USING ANY SUBJECT MATTER, LANGUAGE, OR SLOGAN ADDRESSED TO AND INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE PERSONS UNDER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE TO PURCHASE OR DRINK ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 12-21-1040 RELATING TO TAXES ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC WINES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Samplings

SECTION    1.    Subarticle 1, Article 5, Chapter 6, Title 61 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 61-6-1640.    Notwithstanding the provisions of this subarticle or any other provision of law, an establishment licensed pursuant to Article 5 of this chapter is authorized to conduct samplings of wines in excess of sixteen percent alcohol, cordials, and distilled spirits, if the sampling is conducted as follows:

( 1)    The establishment must have a permanent seating capacity of fifty or more persons;

( 2)    samples may not be offered from more than four products at any one time;

( 3)    the sampling must be held in the bar area of a licensed establishment and all open bottles must be visible at all times. All open bottles must be removed at the conclusion of the tasting;

( 4)    samples must be less than one-half ounce for each product sampled;

( 5)    a person may not be served more than one sample of each product;

( 6)    sampling may not be offered for more than four hours;

( 7)    at least five days before the sampling, a letter detailing the specific date and hours of the sampling must be mailed first class to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division;

( 8)    a sample may not be offered to, or allowed to be consumed by, an intoxicated person or a person under the age of twenty-one years;

( 9)    a licensed establishment may not offer more than one sampling each day; and

(10)    the sampling must be conducted by the manufacturer or wholesaler or an agent of the manufacturer or wholesaler."

Definition deleted

SECTION    2.    Section 12-21-1010(5) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(5)    (Reserved);"

Current license may be used

SECTION    3.    Chapter 2 of Title 61 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 61-2-135.    When a person licensed to sell alcoholic liquor or beer and wine moves his business to a new location in the same county that was licensed in the same manner within ninety days of the time of the move, the person may use his current license and is not required to initiate a new application upon approval by the department."

Municipal ordinance unenforceability, deleted

SECTION    4.    Section 61-4-120 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 61-4-120.    It is unlawful for a person to sell or offer for sale wine or beer in this State between the hours of twelve o'clock Saturday night and sunrise Monday morning. However, an establishment licensed pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 6 is authorized to sell these products during those hours in which the sale of alcoholic liquors in minibottles is lawful. A person who violates the provisions of this section is considered guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. The right of a person to sell wine and beer in this State under a license issued by the State must be forfeited and the license revoked upon his conviction of violating the provisions of this section."

Off-premises permits

SECTION    5.    Section 61-4-510(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 462 of 1996, is amended to read:

"(A)    In counties or municipalities where off-premises beer and wine permits are specifically authorized to be issued pursuant to Section 61-6-2010, in lieu of the retail permit fee required pursuant to Section 61-4-500, a retail dealer otherwise eligible for the retail permit under that section may elect to apply for a special version of that permit which allows sales for off-premises consumption without regard to the restrictions on the days or hours of sales provided in Sections 61-4-120, 61-4-130, and 61-4-140. The annual fee for this special retail permit is one thousand dollars."

Sign requirements

SECTION    6.    Section 61-4-520(9)(d) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(d)    cover a space at least twelve inches high and eighteen inches wide;"

Fees and expiration dates

SECTION    7.    Section 61-4-1510 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 415 of 1996, is amended to read:

"Section 61-4-1510.    Before a person constructs, maintains, or operates a brewery or winery as provided by the provisions of this article, the person must apply to the department for a permit. The application must be in writing in a form the department prescribes. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the applicant must pay a biennial permit tax of two hundred dollars upon each brewery and on each commercial winery to be established and operated. The permit tax must be paid to and collected by the department before a permit is issued. Permits as provided by the provisions of this section expire as mandated by Section 61-2-120. No refund may be made to a dealer who ceases business after obtaining a permit."

Sign requirements

SECTION    8.    Section 61-6-180(B)(4) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 304 of 2000, is further amended to read:

"(4)    cover a space at least twelve inches high and eighteen inches wide;"

Consumption and possession may be allowed

SECTION    9.    Section 61-6-500 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 415 of 1996, is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-500.    (A)    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the authorities in charge of a publicly-owned auditorium, coliseum, or armory may allow the possession and consumption of beer, wine, and alcoholic liquors on their premises.

(B)    It is unlawful for a person to possess or consume beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors on the premises of a publicly-owned auditorium, coliseum, or armory unless the authorities in charge specifically have approved the possession or consumption of those beverages. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days."

Sign requirements and advertising

SECTION    10.    Section 61-6-1510 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-1510.    A retail dealer must maintain a separate store or place of business with not more than two means of public ingress or egress which must be on the front or the same side of the building, except that the doors may be located at the corner of two adjacent sides of the building. One additional door, not in the front, is allowed to be used solely for the receipt of commercial deliveries and as an emergency exit.

Retail dealers are prohibited from using in an advertisement for alcoholic liquor or wine a subject matter, language, or slogans addressed to and intended to encourage persons under twenty-one years of age to purchase or drink alcoholic liquor or wine."

Prohibition

SECTION    11.    Section 61-6-1600 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 415 of 1996, is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-1600.    (A)    A nonprofit organization which is licensed by the department pursuant to the provisions of this article may sell alcoholic liquors in minibottles. A member or guest of a member of a nonprofit organization may consume alcoholic liquors sold in minibottles upon the premises between the hours of ten o'clock in the morning and two o'clock the following morning.

(B)    An employee or agent of an establishment licensed as a nonprofit organization is prohibited from selling, making available for sale, or permitting the consumption of alcoholic liquors on the licensed premises between the hours of two o'clock in the morning and ten o'clock in the morning. A violation of this provision is a violation against the organization's license."

Areas permitted

SECTION    12.    Section 61-6-1610(B) of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 415 of 1996, is amended to read:

"(B)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the licensed premises of a business establishment which is bona fide engaged primarily and substantially in the preparation and service of meals and which holds a valid license for the sale and consumption of alcoholic liquors in minibottles do not extend to any portion of the business establishment or the property upon which it is located which is designed as or used for a parking area even though food may be served in the area."

Prohibition

SECTION    13.    Section 61-6-1610 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 415 of 1996, is amended by adding:

"(D)    Any licensee, employee, or agent of an establishment licensed as a food service establishment or place of lodging is prohibited from selling, making available for sale, or permitting the consumption of alcoholic liquors on the licensed premises between the hours of two o'clock in the morning and ten o'clock in the morning. However, any licensee, employee, or agent of an establishment licensed as a food service establishment or place of lodging is prohibited from selling, making available for sale, or permitting the consumption of alcoholic liquors on Sunday unless the establishment has been issued for that Sunday a temporary permit pursuant to the provisions of Section 61-6-2010. A violation of this subsection is a violation against the establishment's license."

Sign requirements

SECTION    14.    Section 61-6-1820(5)(d) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(d)    cover a space at least twelve inches high and eighteen inches wide;"

State Treasurer to distribute

SECTION    15.    The introductory paragraph of Section 61-6-2010(B)(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 155 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"The filing and permit fees must be distributed by the State Treasurer to the municipality or county in which the retailer who paid the fee is located. The revenue may be used only by the municipality or county for the following purposes:"

Referendum questions

SECTION    16.    Section 61-6-2010(C)(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 462 of 1996, is amended to read:

"(1)    Permits authorized by this section may be issued only in those counties or municipalities where a majority of the qualified electors voting in a referendum vote in favor of the issuance of the permits. The county or municipal election commission, as the case may be, shall conduct a referendum upon petition of at least ten percent but not more than seven thousand five hundred qualified electors of the county or municipality, as the case may be. The petition form must be submitted to the election commission not less than one hundred twenty days before the date of the referendum. The names on the petition must be on the petition form provided to county election officials by the State Election Commission. The names on the petition must be certified by the election commission within sixty days after receiving the petition form. The referendum must be conducted at the next general election. The election commission shall cause a notice to be published in a newspaper circulated in the county or municipality, as the case may be, at least seven days before the referendum. The state election laws shall apply to the referendum, mutatis mutandis. The election commission shall publish the results of the referendum and certify them to the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The question on the ballot shall be one of the following:

'Shall the South Carolina Department of Revenue be authorized to issue temporary permits in this (county) (municipality) for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors in sealed containers of two ounces or less to bona fide nonprofit organizations and business establishments otherwise authorized to be licensed for consumption-on-premises sales?' or

'Shall the South Carolina Department of Revenue be authorized to issue temporary permits in this (county) (municipality) for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours to allow the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic liquors in sealed containers of two ounces or less to bona fide nonprofit organizations and business establishments authorized to be licensed for consumption-on-premises sales and to allow the sale of beer and wine at permitted off-premises locations without regard to the days or hours of sales?' "

When unlawful

SECTION    17.    Section 61-6-4010 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 415 of 1996, is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-4010.    (A)    It is unlawful for a person to:

(1)    manufacture, store, keep, receive, have in possession, transport, ship, buy, sell, barter, exchange, or deliver alcoholic liquors, except liquors acquired in a lawful manner and except in accordance with the provisions of this title; or

(2)    accept, receive, or have in possession alcoholic liquors for unlawful use pursuant to the provisions of this title.

(B)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(1)    for a first offense, by a fine of not less than six hundred dollars or imprisonment for six months;

(2)    for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for one year; and

(3)    for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of three thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years."

Unlawful advertising; destruction

SECTION    18.    Section 61-6-4170 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 415 of 1996, is amended to read:

"Section 61-6-4170.    (A)    It is unlawful for a person to advertise alcoholic liquors by means of billboards along public highways and streets by using any subject matter, language, or slogan addressed to and intended to encourage persons under twenty-one years of age to purchase or drink alcoholic liquors.

(B)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:

(1)    for a first offense, by a fine of two hundred dollars or imprisonment for sixty days;

(2)    for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand dollars or imprisonment for one year; and

(3)    for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of two thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years."

Repeal

SECTION    19.    Section 12-21-1040 of the 1976 Code is repealed.

Time effective

SECTION    20.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 5th day of June, 2003.

Approved the 25th day of June, 2003.

__________

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