Bill Text - HB366 (2016)

Relative to the alcohol percentage used to classify beverages.


Revision: April 26, 2016, midnight

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HB 366 – AS INTRODUCED

 

2015 SESSION

\t15-0024

\t03/09

 

HOUSE BILL\t\t366

 

AN ACT\trelative to the alcohol percentage used to classify beverages.

 

SPONSORS:\tRep. Hunt, Ches 11

 

COMMITTEE:\tCommerce and Consumer Affairs

 

 

ANALYSIS

 

\tThis bill increases the alcohol percentage used to distinguish liquor from other alcoholic beverages.

 

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Explanation:\tMatter added to current law appears in bold italics.

\t\tMatter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

\t\tMatter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

 

\t15-0024

\t03/09

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fifteen

 

AN ACT\trelative to the alcohol percentage used to classify beverages.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

\t1  Beverage.  Amend RSA 175:1, VIII to read as follows:

\t\tVIII.  “Beverage” means any beer, wine, similar fermented malt or vinous liquors and fruit juices, and any other liquid intended for human consumption as a beverage having an alcoholic content of not less than 1/2 of one percent by volume and not more than [6] 8 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and specialty beer as defined in RSA 175:1, LXIV-a.  The commission may approve any cider greater than 6 percent.

\t2  Liquor.  Amend RSA 175:1, XLII to read as follows:

\t\tXLII.  “Liquor” means all distilled and rectified spirits, alcohol, wines, fermented and malt liquors, and cider, of over [6] 8 percent alcoholic content by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  Liquor shall not include specialty beer as defined in RSA 175:1, LXIV-a.

\t3  Specialty Beer.  Amend RSA 175:1, LXIV-a to read as follows:

\t\tLXIV-a.  “Specialty beer” means any beer as defined in RSA 175:1, VII intended for human consumption as a beverage, having an alcohol content greater than [6] 8 percent but not more than 12 percent by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  Specialty beer shall possess the character and flavor of a beer and may contain added ingredients such as, but not limited to, molasses, maple syrup, honey, spices, herbs, fruits, nuts, chocolate, vanilla, or other nonbeverage ingredients.  Specialty beer shall not include a caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverage or flavor.  The commission may approve any specialty beer greater than 12 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  The commission may approve any specialty beer as liquor as defined by RSA 175:1, XLII and shall establish rules for a listing procedure.

\t4  Cigar Bar.  Amend RSA 178:20-a, I to read as follows:

\t\tI.  The commission may issue a license to a person who operates a cigar bar as defined in this section and who holds a tobacco retailers license under RSA 178:19-a in any town which has voted to accept the provisions of RSA 663:5, I(b), (c), and (d).  The license shall entitle the licensee to serve beverages containing at least 1/2 percent and not more than [6] 8 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit by the glass or other suitable container and by the bottle with the cork or cap removed; specialty beer in any suitable container; liquor containing more than [6] 8 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, by the glass or other suitable container; and wines, by the glass, by the bottle with the cork or cap removed; or other suitable container, under rules adopted by the commission.

\t5  On-Premises Beverage and Liquor Licenses.  Amend RSA 178:21, I(a)  to read as follows:

\t\tI.(a)  The commission may issue a license to any of the types of businesses specified in paragraph II of this section in any town which has voted to accept the provisions of RSA 663:5, I(b), (c), and (d).  The license shall entitle the licensee to serve beverages containing at least 1/2 percent and not more than [6] 8 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit by the glass or other suitable container and by the bottle with the cork or cap removed; liquor containing more than [6] 8 percent alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, by the glass or other suitable container; and wines, by the glass, by the bottle with the cork or cap removed; or other suitable container, under rules adopted by the commission.

\t6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect January 1, 2016.