ALBANY – State Senator James Skoufis and Assemblymember Harry Bronson have introduced a number of proposals to change the alcoholic beverage control law, including several designed to address the problems retailers have with the pricing practices of liquor wholesalers. Currently, wholesalers charge establishments more if the retailer does not buy a full case of one liquor, known as split case fees. The fees, along with additional delivery charges result in a “small business surcharge” of $8,000 annually before accounting for quantity discounts, according to the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association (ESRTA).
Skoufis serves as the chairman of the Senate committee that has jurisdiction over alcohol beverage control laws. Assemblyman Bronson has the same responsibility in the Assembly. The introduced legislation would prohibit liquor wholesalers from charging any fees other than the purchase price, putting an end to the “split case” fee and delivery charges.
Another bill they have introduced, according to ESRTA would allow on-premises licensees to purchase up to twelve (12) bottles of wine and spirits (combined) each week from liquor stores. “This proposal will be especially helpful for those situations when licensees run out of product in between regular deliveries,” said ESRTA Executive Director Scott Wexler. The two lawmakers have also introduced legislation that would allow liquor stores to join together into buying cooperatives to group their small purchases into larger ones to take advantage of quantity discounts. The members of ESRTA have asked that the bill be amended to include restaurants and taverns.
