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An Act To Expand Wine and Beer Tastings at Retail Establishments
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §1205, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 129, §4, is further amended to read:
 
1. Taste testing on off-premise retail licensee's premises.   Subject to the conditions in subsection 2, the bureau may authorize an off-premise retail licensee stocking at least 125 different wine labels to conduct taste testings of wine on that licensee's premises. An off-premise retail licensee may request authority to conduct a taste testing using forms prescribed by the bureau. The request must indicate if a sales representative licensed under section 1502 will be pouring samples for taste testing and verification that the sales representative has successfully completed an alcohol server education course approved by the commissioner. Any other consumption of alcoholic beverages on an off-premise retail licensee's premises is prohibited.
Sec. 2. 28-A MRSA §1207, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2015, c. 129, §6, is further amended to read:
 
1. Taste testing on off-premise retail licensee's premises.   Subject to the conditions in subsection 2, the bureau may authorize an off-premise retail licensee stocking at least 100 different labels of malt liquor to conduct taste testing of malt liquor on that licensee's premises. An off-premise retail licensee may request authority to conduct a taste testing using forms prescribed by the bureau. The request must indicate if a sales representative licensed under section 1502 will be pouring samples for taste testing and verification that the sales representative has successfully completed an alcohol server education course approved by the commissioner. Any other consumption of alcoholic beverages on an off-premise retail licensee's premises is prohibited, except as permitted under section 460 or 1205.
 
SUMMARY
Current law allows a person licensed for retail sale of wine or malt liquor for off-premises consumption to conduct taste testings on the licensee's premises if the licensee stocks at least 125 different labels of wine or 100 different labels of malt liquor. This bill removes the minimum stock requirements.