Committee approves shipper‑reporting bill to measure alcohol shipments into state

A Senate committee voted to pass SB 447, a bill requiring common carriers to file quarterly reports with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) documenting alcohol shipments into Arkansas.

Senator Jim Petty, sponsor of the bill, said the measure obliges carriers such as FedEx, UPS and DHL to provide quarterly, non‑personally identifiable data — ZIP code and fulfilling company — to give the state a two‑year baseline of shipment volume. The bill does not authorize sting operations of consumers and would exclude specified winery‑direct shipments that are already permitted, he said.

Bill supporters included representatives of the United Beverage Retailers Association, wholesalers and industry witnesses who said illicit shipments into Arkansas occur and they lack reliable statewide data on volume. "Illegal shipping is taking place every day in Arkansas and we don't know if it's 36 cases, 300 cases, or 3,000 cases a day," a witness said. Sponsors said carriers already have software to produce the reports, and they negotiated language with the Arkansas Trucking Association and carrier representatives; FedEx had requested late changes that were accommodated.

The bill includes a modest penalty for carriers that fail to file the reports; sponsors described the penalty as an incentive to encourage compliance rather than a punitive measure for carriers. The committee passed SB 447 by voice vote; the transcript records no roll‑call tally.

Votes at a glance: SB 447 — Motion to report do pass (mover: Senator Scott; second: Senator Johnson); outcome: approved (voice vote).