Georgia subcommittee hears bill to expand liquor licenses and tasting events; hearing only, no vote

Chairman Smith introduced House Bill 210 on alcoholic beverages at a Georgia House subcommittee hearing on an unspecified date, telling members the bill would expand certain retail liquor-license opportunities and revise tasting limits.

The bill would let a licensee hold up to seven additional liquor licenses — nine in total — per county on a per‑annum basis in counties that meet a sales‑tax revenue threshold, and it would increase the number of permitted tastings from 52 to 104 per year. "DOR is actually neutral on this bill," Chairman Smith said, referencing the Georgia Department of Revenue.

The measure’s sponsors framed the proposal as targeted to counties experiencing economic growth. A committee speaker said the draft originally referenced a $750,000,000 sales‑tax collection threshold but that the committee had adjusted the threshold to $200,000,000, and that the figure was developed with the Department of Revenue and Legislative Counsel.

Supporters at the hearing said the expansion would create opportunities for new businesses and allow existing venues that hold regular events to host tastings more than once a week. "Tastings instills a lot of customer confidence and increases sales growth for brands," Chairman Smith said.

Opponents, including the Georgia Alcohol Dealers Association, warned the change could threaten small, independent liquor retailers by enabling larger, multiunit operators to expand. "The GADA is vehemently opposed to this bill," Dave Pratt, speaking for the association, told the committee. Pratt said members worry an expansion of ownership limits could allow big‑box retailers and out‑of‑state interests to undercut smaller local sellers.

Committee members pressed authors for data on which counties would meet the revenue threshold. Committee discussion repeatedly referenced counties that the Department of Revenue data identified as meeting a large sales‑tax mark, including Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb, Chatham, Muscogee, Richmond, Henry and Clayton. Sponsors said such a threshold was intended to limit the change to counties with substantial sales tax digests or tourism revenue.

Members also raised broader policy concerns tied to past experiences in other states. One committee member described the effect of lifting a two‑store ownership limit in other states, saying big operators had driven smaller retailers out and later raised prices. That member said the liquor retail market is "probably the last bastion of the small business people that we have." Another committee speaker urged caution, saying adjustments such as home delivery or cross‑jurisdictional sales can shift tax revenue and complicate enforcement.

Industry testimony on tasting events drew less opposition; the Georgia Alcohol Dealers Association said it would accept expanded tastings if there were a uniform oversight process administered by the Department of Revenue. The association’s executive director, Tony Miguel, provided a prepared statement referenced by Dave Pratt.

The committee did not take a vote. Members requested a substitute draft and additional data comparing other states' experiences, and the bill’s authors said they would provide comparative five‑year analyses and the substitute language for committee members to review. "We can certainly share that with you after crossover day," a bill author said.

With no motion or final action recorded, the subcommittee closed the hearing and left the bill pending further work and potential future consideration.