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Industry says sticker 'vandalism' forces repackaging; subcommittee backs amendment to protect product labels
Summary
Witnesses told the subcommittee that adhesive labels placed on packaged alcohol obscure barcodes and causes wholesalers or retailers to repackage or return products; the committee adopted amendment 16-95 to HB 17-65 and recommended the bill 'ought to pass.'
The Commerce subcommittee adopted an amendment to HB 17-65 aimed at preventing stickers that obscure product labels, barcodes or other sellable packaging.
Jim Bulli (speaker 7), representing the New Hampshire Wholesale Beverage Distributors, told the committee that when stickers are placed over packaging, wholesalers have to "repackage the product, or they have to take it back," imposing added labor and potential lost tax revenue. Bulli said industry stakeholders have asked advocacy groups not to place stickers directly on product packaging; the amendment clarifies permissible store labeling and bars actions that render product unsellable.
The amendment (16-95) carried by voice vote and the underlying bill was recommended 'ought to pass.' Industry representatives said the change protects retailers and wholesalers and preserves sales tax collection; advocates who place labels on packaging were not recorded in the transcript.
The bill will proceed to Commerce and the Senate floor for further consideration.
