Authorizes retail licensees to purchase alcohol with a business payment

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

This bill will amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control law allowing retail alcohol licensees to purchase liquor and bottled wine from wholesalers and manufacturers using business credit or debit cards. Wholesalers must clearly show both cash and card prices on invoices and are not required to accept card payments. If wholesalers choose to accept credit card payments, any credit card processing fees will be paid by the purchaser. In 2019, NY took the first step to modernize business to business alco- hol payments by allowing beer, cider and wine products to be purchased using a business credit or debit card. Despite a successful implementa- tion of the first phase of alcohol sales modernization over the last 7 years; the global economy has outpaced the U.S. in payments technology. Given the successful first phase of updating regulations for the busi- ness to business sale of beer, cider and wine products for restaurants, local cafes and third spaces, we believe New York should move to the second phase and update the regulations to provide restaurants with parity. Whether they're buying beer or wine, restaurants, performance venues and other licensed retailers should be able to use their preferred method of payment, including a business credit or debit card. Now more than ever, businesses are inundated with economic uncertainty, tariffs and unnecessary red tape. Limiting a restaurateur's ability to purchase wine with a preferred credit card can result in serious finan- cial burdens. By removing unnecessary restrictions on credit cards New York will help its businesses navigate through an unprecedented economy.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.