Alcoholic beverage control; retail privatization of government stores.
Alcoholic beverage control; retail privatization of government stores. Provides for the issuance of a “package store” license to authorize the retail sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption. The bill provides that persons holding a retail off-premises wine and beer license are eligible to obtain a package store license. The bill also requires the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (the Board) to dispose of all real estate used as government stores and to terminate leased property upon which the Board has operated a government store. The bill requires the Board to complete an implementation study by January 1, 2023, on how it will privatize government stores. The bill directs the Board to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill contains numerous technical amendments.