Bill Text: HI SB1354 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Intoxicating Liquor.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [SB1354 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB1354-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1354 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to intoxicating liquor.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that under the current definition of "cooler beverage", the relevant tax rate is only applicable to wine-based or beer-based beverages, while beverages that are spirits-based are taxed as distilled spirits. Consequently, if a local distiller wants to make a "cooler beverage" that contains one ounce of distilled spirits and eleven ounces of another liquid, the beverage is taxed as if it consists entirely of alcohol. Although several companies on the mainland export small volumes of ready-to-drink cocktails in cans or bottles, none of the growing number of local distilleries offer this option. The disparate tax treatment may be the primary reason.
Accordingly, the purpose of this part is to amend the definition of "cooler beverage" to include spirits-based beverages, to encourage local distilleries to produce ready-to-drink cocktails.
SECTION 2. Section 244D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "cooler beverage" to read as follows:
""Cooler beverage" means either a:
(1) Wine cooler
containing wine and more than fifteen per cent added natural or artificial
blending material, such as fruit juices, flavors, flavorings, or adjuncts, water
(plain, carbonated, or sparkling), colorings, or preservatives, and that
contains less than seven per cent of alcohol by volume; [or]
(2) Malt beverage
cooler containing beer and added natural or artificial blending material, such
as fruit juices, flavors, flavorings, colorings, or preservatives, and that
contains less than seven per cent of alcohol by volume[.]; or
(3) Spirit beverage cooler containing distilled spirits and added natural or artificial blending material, such as fruit juices, flavors, flavorings, colorings, or preservatives, and that contains seven per cent or less of alcohol by volume."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Intoxicating Liquor; Cooler Beverages
Description:
Expands the definition of "cooler beverage" to include certain spirits-based beverages that contain seven percent or less alcohol by volume.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
