Liquor: retail sales; displaying co-branded alcoholic beverages adjacent to certain products; limit. Amends 1998 PA 58 (MCL 436.1101 - 436.2303) by adding sec. 609k.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Green

HB 6037 would bar co-branded alcoholic beverages from being displayed next to youth-oriented nonalcoholic products in Michigan stores, with signage or display bans by store size.

bill electronically reproduced 11/07/2024

#liquor:advertising #liquor:retailsales

Purpose

HB 6037 would restrict how alcoholic beverages that are “co‑branded” with nonalcoholic drinks are displayed in retail stores. The stated intent is to limit placement of those products next to items commonly purchased by or appealing to minors (e.g., soft drinks, candy, toys), or to require clear age‑restriction signage in smaller stores.

Key provisions

Adds Section 609k to the Michigan Liquor Control Code (1998 PA 58).

Defines “co‑branded alcoholic beverage” as any alcoholic liquor that has the same or similar brand name, logo, or packaging as a nonalcoholic beverage.

For retailers with a retail sales floor area greater than 2,500 square feet:

Prohibits displaying co‑branded alcoholic beverages immediately adjacent to soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water, candy, toys, or snack foods when the snack foods portray cartoons or youth‑oriented images.

For retailers with retail sales floor area equal to or less than 2,500 square feet:

Requires either (A) the same adjacency prohibition as above, or (B) posting a clearly visible sign (minimum 8.5" x 11") on any display containing co‑branded alcoholic beverages that are immediately adjacent to those listed nonalcoholic items. The sign must read:
"THIS PRODUCT IS AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE AVAILABLE ONLY TO PERSONS WHO ARE 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER."

Enforcement: fines for violations would be deposited into the Liquor Control Enforcement and License Investigation Revolving Fund (per MCL § 543).

Who would be affected

Retailers selling alcoholic beverages in Michigan — obligations differ based on retail floor size (above or below 2,500 sq. ft.).

Manufacturers/brands of co‑branded alcoholic/nonalcoholic products (placement and marketing impacts).

Consumers — especially youth and parents — through potentially reduced exposure to alcohol marketing adjacent to youth‑oriented products.

Procedural/status notes

Introduced Nov. 7, 2024 (Rep. Phil Green); read first time and referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform.

Subsequent referrals and committee activity are recorded in 2025 (including Education & Employment Committee and Student Academic Success Subcommittee).

According to available actions, the bill was indefinitely postponed/withdrawn (May 3, 2025) and later listed as “died in Student Academic Success Subcommittee” (June 16, 2025), indicating it did not become law during that session.

Potential impacts and considerations

Administrative/compliance costs for retailers (rearranging displays or signage production).

Aims to reduce incidental exposure of under‑21 persons to alcohol branding associated with nonalcoholic products.

Would affect retail merchandising practices and may prompt changes in in‑store product placement policies.

Bill