Committee hears bill to create small-business alcohol retail permit; Revenue staff warn of verification, tax and traceability hurdles

House Bill 126 (LC550405) — a proposal to create a small‑business alcohol retail permit that would let certain licensed establishments buy alcohol from designated retail sellers rather than exclusively through wholesalers — drew a mix of support and concern at a House committee hearing.

The bill’s sponsor, Chairman Carpenter, said the measure is aimed at small restaurants, catering firms and other small retail operations that cannot meet current distributor minimums or storage requirements. “It seeks to create a small business alcohol permit,” Carpenter said, adding that the proposal would base eligibility on sales thresholds and percentage of revenue so small operators can supplement income without being forced into large distributor orders.

Department of Revenue staff described multiple implementation issues the committee would need to resolve before any vote. “The department doesn’t take policy positions on bills. We just implement, and here we are to kinda talk about what this bill might look like in practice,” said Austin Gibbons, chief of staff for the Georgia Department of Revenue. Enforcement staff warned the measure would create a new subcategory of consumption-on-premise licenses and require new regulations, IT changes, adjusted licensing calendars and additional audit capacity.

“Three‑tier system is the foundation of the title 3,” said Robert Flournoy, a Department of Revenue special agent, explaining the…