Relates to license fees required to be paid by wholesale beer licensees to sell cider

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Skoufis

Wholesale beer licensees can sell cider at wholesale, with a higher annual fee and terms aligning to existing licenses.

REFERRED TO COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS

Summary of Bill S 10172 (2025-2026, New York)

Purpose and Intent

This bill amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to authorize wholesale beer licensees to sell cider at wholesale. It adjusts the required license fee to access cider sales rights, thereby broadening the range of products that wholesale beer licensees may distribute.

Key Provisions

Expanded license eligibility: Wholesale beer licensees would be permitted to sell cider at wholesale to:

Duly licensed beer, wine, and liquor retailers
Other holders of licenses under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law
Customers outside the state, in accordance with the laws of the destination jurisdiction

Fee change for cider authorization: The bill changes the annual fee for this cider-selling privilege from the current amount of $125 to a new amount of $375. The fee is described as an “additional” license fee, appended to the wholesale beer license.

Term alignment: The cider-authorization license would run concurrently with the term of the existing wholesale beer license, as established in section 57-a of the ABC Law.

Regulatory alignment: The provisions governing existing wholesale licenses (section 57) apply to licenses issued under this new cider-selling provision, ensuring consistency in rules, obligations, and compliance.

Affected Parties

Wholesale beer licensees: Eligible to obtain the additional cider-selling license upon payment of the increased fee.

Alcoholic beverage retailers and licensees: Potential customers for cider sold at wholesale by participating licensees.

Out-of-state buyers: May receive cider shipments in compliance with the destination state’s laws.

State regulatory framework: The amendment integrates with existing sections (notably sections 57 and 57-a) to maintain regulatory consistency.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Legislative status: Referred to the Senate committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business on May 4, 2026.

House action: The bill text indicates it is an act proposed by a senator (Sen. Skoufis), with co-sponsorship noted; as of the provided text, it has not yet progressed to final passage.

Potential Impact

Market impact: By enabling cider sales at wholesale through beer licensees, cider products may have greater distribution channels and reach within the licensing framework.

Revenue impact: The increased annual fee from $125 to $375 for cider authorization would raise state licensing revenue related to wholesale cider sales.

Business considerations: Licensees would need to assess compliance with cider distribution rules (mirroring existing wholesale rules) and manage cross-state deliveries in accordance with destination-state laws.