Review of State Question 792

Alcohol

Editor’s Note: On Nov. 8 Oklahoma voters will be making several decisions from choosing a president to answering seven state questions.

In an effort to help with those decisions, The Mix 105.1 has turned to the 2016 Oklahoma Voter Guide to review the seven state questions that will be put to voters on Nov. 8. The Oklahoma Voter Guide is a nonpartisan effort by a coalition of Oklahoma entities from both the non-profit and for profit sectors. The voter guide does not endorse or oppose any candidates for state or federal office, nor does it take any position on the state questions.

Following is the review of State Question 790 on Alcohol. The Mix 105.1 will post a review of each question prior to the election.

BALLOT TITLE

This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and restructures the laws governing alcoholic beverages through a new Article 28A and other laws the Legislature will create if the measure passes. The new Article 28A provides that with exceptions, a person or company can have an ownership interest in only one area of the alcoholic beverage business-manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. Some restrictions apply to the sales of manufacturers, brewers, winemakers, and wholesalers. Subject to limitations, the Legislature may authorize direct shipments to consumers of wine. Retail locations like grocery stores may sell wine and beer. Liquor stores may sell products other than alcoholic beverages in limited amounts. The Legislature must create licenses for retail locations, liquor stores, and places serving alcoholic beverages and may create other licenses. Certain licensees must meet residency requirements. Felons cannot be licensees. The Legislature must designate days and hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold and may impose taxes on sales. Municipalities may levy an occupation tax. If authorized, a state lodge may sell individual alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but no other state involvement in the alcoholic beverage business is allowed. With one exception, the measure will take effect October 1, 2018.

SUMMARY

If the proposal is approved, it would repeal Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with Article 28A, which restructures the laws governing alcohol. If approved, the measure will go into effect on October 1, 2018.

Currently, under Oklahoma law, liquor stores can sell full-strength, unrefrigerated beer but cannot sell cold beer or chilled wine. Liquor stores can sell wine and spirits but no other items. Grocery and convenience stores can sell cold low-point beer (3.2 percent alcohol by weight) but not spirits, wine, or high-point beer.

State Question 792 would change the current alcohol laws to allow grocery, convenience, and drug stores to sell cold, high-point beer (up to 8.99 percent alcohol by volume) and wine (up to 15 percent alcohol by volume). Liquor stores would be allowed to sell cold beer and any item that also may be purchased in a grocery store or convenience store—except motor fuel—in limited amounts. Liquor or spirits will still only be available for purchase from licensed retail liquor stores.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

onveniencecosts.com

yeson792.com

‘Born Sober,’ But Always Plentiful: How Oklahoma Got It’s Liquor Laws

An Examination Of SQ 792

State Question 792

Both Sides

PROPONENTS SAY: YES

Oklahoma’s alcoholic beverages laws are Passage of SQ 792 would provide Oklahomans with the same level of access to wine and beer as consumers in forty-five other states and would allow customers to purchase wine and cold beer more conveniently throughout the state at all levels of retail.

State tax dollars are being driven to other states where alcohol laws allow the sale of high-point beer and wine in grocery stores.

The additional competition from grocery and convenience stores would hurt the state’s independent liquor retailers. Many current retail liquor stores would go out of business, resulting in job losses and inconveniencing consumers, especially those in smaller cities.

OPPONENTS SAY: NO

Allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell strong beer and wine would concentrate more power in the hands of fewer corporate owners, reduce competition, and result in higher prices.

SQ 792 contains language that would allow out-of-state distributors to buy controlling interests in wholesalers and then designate themselves as the sole wholesale distributor of any product they represent. Retailers would not be able to choose between competing wholesalers but would have to buy each product from only one particular wholesaler.

----

Tomorrow, State Question 776 on the Death Penalty will be reviewed. The Mix 105.1 thanks and credits the following for the information – The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma, KOSU, OETA, Tyler Media, KGOU, Oklahoma Watch, The Oklahoman, and Kirkpatrick Foundation.

For more information on the 2016 Oklahoma Voter Guide visit okvoterguide.com.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com