Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the state definition of beer to include malt beverages and beverages with 14 percent or less alcohol content by weight.

Highlights:

• Defines “malt beverage” to include liquor brewed from fermented juices of grain with an alcohol content between 5 and 21 percent by weight (Sec. 1).

• Expands the state alcohol beverage laws to include (Sec. 2):

• Beer containing 14 percent or less of alcohol by weight; and

• All other malt beverages containing 14 percent or less of alcohol by weight.

• Authorizes the manufacture and sale of beer with an alcoholic content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 3).

• Expands state definition of beer to include fermented liquor derived from malt or any malt substitute with an alcohol content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 4).

• Amends the oath for applicants for beer and light wine permits to include beer with alcoholic content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 5).

• Prohibits brewers and distributors of beer and light wine from manufacturing or keeping any of the following (Sec. 6):

• Beer of an alcoholic content over 14 percent by weight;

• Wine of an alcoholic content over 5 percent by weight; or 

• Distilled spirits of any alcoholic content.

• Prohibits the sale, barter, and possession of beer containing an alcoholic content over 14 percent by weight (Sec. 7).

• Prohibits beer kegs used for off-premises consumption containing beer with an alcoholic content greater than 14 percent by weight (Sec. 8).

• Prohibits microbrewery restaurants from producing or serving beer with an alcoholic content greater than 14 percent by weight (Sec. 9).

• Amends the Arkansas Small Brewery Act to permit the production of beer with an alcoholic content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 10).

• Prohibits microbrewery restaurant private clubs from producing or serving beer with an alcoholic content greater than 14 percent by weight (Sec. 11).

• Amends the state tax code on beer to include beer with an alcoholic content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 12).

• Amends state tax rebate for qualified manufacturers to include beer with an alcoholic content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 13).

• Amends local option elections for beer and light wine to include beer and fermented malt beverages with an alcoholic content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 14).

• Amends the definition of beer in local option elections in defunct voting districts to include beer with an alcoholic content of 14 percent or less by weight (Sec. 15).