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Committee debate on raising beer alcohol limits pits grocery industry against public‑safety advocates
Summary
Lawmakers and witnesses sparred over SB411, which would let grocery and convenience stores sell higher‑alcohol malt beverages; industry witnesses said the change levels the market and helps Arkansas breweries, while public-health and small-liquor‑store witnesses warned of greater youth access and harm; the committee did not advance the bill at this hearing.
Senate Bill 411, introduced by Senator Missy Irvin and amended in committee, would update state alcohol code to let grocery and convenience retailers sell malt beverages with higher alcohol-by-weight (ABW) levels than currently allowed for off-premise beer sales.
Steve Good, representing the Arkansas Grocers and Retail Merchants and an independent supermarket owner, told the committee the change levels a longstanding regulatory mismatch that allows wine at higher ABW in grocery stores than many malt beverages. "This is purely a free-market issue," Good said, explaining that some local craft…
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