Virginia Law

Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, Virginia

As used in this subtitle unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Alcohol" means the product known as ethyl or grain alcohol obtained by distillation of any fermented liquor, rectified either once or more often, whatever the origin, and shall include synthetic ethyl alcohol, but shall not include methyl alcohol and alcohol completely denatured in accordance with formulas approved by the government of the United States.

"Alcohol vaporizing device" means any device, machine, or process that mixes any alcoholic beverages with pure oxygen or other gas to produce a vaporized product for the purpose of consumption by inhalation.

"Alcoholic beverages" includes alcohol, spirits, wine, and beer, and any one or more of such varieties containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, including mixed alcoholic beverages, and every liquid or solid, powder or crystal, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer and capable of being consumed by a human being. Any liquid or solid containing more than one of the four varieties shall be considered as belonging to that variety which has the higher percentage of alcohol, however obtained, according to the order in which they are set forth in this definition; except that beer may be manufactured to include flavoring materials and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol, as long as no more than 49 percent of the overall alcohol content of the finished product is derived from the addition of flavors and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol for products with an alcohol content of no more than six percent by volume; or, in the case of products with an alcohol content of more than six percent by volume, as long as no more than one and one-half percent of the volume of the finished product consists of alcohol derived from added flavors and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol.

"Arts venue" means a commercial or nonprofit establishment that is open to the public and in which works of art are sold or displayed.

"Authority" means the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority created pursuant to this subtitle.

"Barrel" means any container or vessel having a capacity of more than 43 ounces.

"Bed and breakfast establishment" means any establishment (i) having no more than 15 bedrooms; (ii) offering to the public, for compensation, transitory lodging or sleeping accommodations; and (iii) offering at least one meal per day, which may but need not be breakfast, to each person to whom overnight lodging is provided. For purposes of the licensing requirements of this subtitle, "bed and breakfast establishment" includes any property offered to the public for short-term rental, as that term is defined in § 15.2-983, other than a hotel as defined in this section, regardless of whether a meal is offered to each person to whom overnight lodging is provided.

"Beer" means any alcoholic beverage obtained by the fermentation of an infusion or decoction of barley, malt, and hops or of any similar products in drinkable water and containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume.

"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.

"Bottle" means any vessel intended to contain liquids and having a capacity of not more than 43 ounces.

"Bus" means a motor vehicle that (i) is operated by a common carrier licensed under Chapter 20 (§ 46.2-2000 et seq.) of Title 46.2 to transport passengers for compensation over the highways of the Commonwealth on regular or irregular routes of not less than 100 miles, (ii) seats no more than 24 passengers, (iii) is 40 feet in length or longer, (iv) offers wireless Internet services, (v) is equipped with charging stations at every seat for cellular phones or other portable devices, and (vi) during the transportation of passengers, is staffed by an attendant who has satisfied all training requirements set forth in this subtitle or Board regulation.

"Club" means any private nonprofit corporation or association which is the owner, lessee, or occupant of an establishment operated solely for a national, social, patriotic, political, athletic, or other like purpose, but not for pecuniary gain, the advantages of which belong to all of the members. It also means the establishment so operated. A corporation or association shall not lose its status as a club because of the conduct of charitable gaming conducted pursuant to Article 1.1:1 (§ 18.2-340.15 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 in which nonmembers participate frequently or in large numbers, provided that no alcoholic beverages are served or consumed in the room where such charitable gaming is being conducted while such gaming is being conducted and that no alcoholic beverages are made available upon the premises to any person who is neither a member nor a bona fide guest of a member.

Any such corporation or association which has been declared exempt from federal and state income taxes as one which is not organized and operated for pecuniary gain or profit shall be deemed a nonprofit corporation or association.

"Commercial lifestyle center" means a mixed-use commercial development covering a minimum of 10 acres of land and having at least 100,000 square feet of retail space featuring national specialty chain stores and a combination of dining, entertainment, office, residential, or hotel establishments located in a physically integrated outdoor setting that is pedestrian friendly and that is governed by a commercial owners' association that is responsible for the management, maintenance, and operation of the common areas thereof.

"Container" means any barrel, bottle, carton, keg, vessel, or other receptacle used for holding alcoholic beverages.

"Contract winemaking facility" means the premises of a licensed winery or farm winery that obtains grapes, fruits, and other agricultural products from a person holding a winery or farm winery license and crushes, processes, ferments, bottles, or provides any combination of such services pursuant to an agreement with the winery or farm winery licensee. For all purposes of this subtitle, wine produced by a contract winemaking facility for a winery or farm winery shall be considered to be wine owned and produced by the winery or farm winery that supplied the grapes, fruits, or other agricultural products used in the production of the wine. The contract winemaking facility shall have no right to sell the wine so produced, unless the terms of payment have not been fulfilled in accordance with the contract. The contract winemaking facility may charge the winery or farm winery for its services. A winery licensee may utilize contract winemaking services only for the manufacture or processing of wine of which no less than 90 percent of the grapes, fruits, and other agricultural products used to make such wine are grown in the Commonwealth.

"Convenience grocery store" means an establishment that (i) has an enclosed room in a permanent structure where stock is displayed and offered for sale and (ii) maintains an inventory of edible items intended for human consumption consisting of a variety of such items of the types normally sold in grocery stores.

"Culinary lodging resort" means a facility (i) having not less than 13 overnight guest rooms in a building that has at least 20,000 square feet of indoor floor space; (ii) located on a farm in the Commonwealth with at least 1,000 acres of land zoned agricultural; (iii) equipped with a full-service kitchen; and (iv) offering to the public, for compensation, at least one meal per day, lodging, and recreational and educational activities related to farming, livestock, and other rural activities.

"Delicatessen" means an establishment that sells a variety of prepared foods or foods requiring little preparation, such as cheeses, salads, cooked meats, and related condiments.

"Designated area" means a room or area approved by the Board for on-premises licensees.

"Dining area" means a public room or area in which meals are regularly served.

"Drugstore" means an establishment that sells medicines prepared by a licensed pharmacist pursuant to a prescription and other medicines and items for home and general use.

"Establishment" means any place where alcoholic beverages of one or more varieties are lawfully manufactured, sold, or used.

"Farm winery" means (i) an establishment or cooperative located in the Commonwealth on land zoned agricultural that has (a) a vineyard, orchard, or similar growing area that produces fruits or other agricultural products used to manufacture the wine of such farm winery, subject to the requirements set forth in § 4.1-219, and (b) facilities for fermenting and bottling wine on the premises where such farm winery manufactures wine that contains not more than 21 percent alcohol by volume or (ii) an accredited public or private institution of higher education, provided that (a) no wine manufactured by the institution shall be sold, (b) the wine manufactured by the institution shall be used solely for research and educational purposes, (c) the wine manufactured by the institution shall be stored on the premises of such farm winery that shall be separate and apart from all other facilities of the institution, and (d) such farm winery is operated in strict conformance with the requirements of this clause (ii) and Board regulations. As used in this definition, the term "cooperative" means a cooperative formed by an association of individuals for the purpose of manufacturing wine. In determining whether a cooperative licensed as a farm winery has met the requirements set forth in clause (i), the Board shall consider all land in the Commonwealth that is owned or leased by a member of the cooperative. For purposes of this definition, "land zoned agricultural" means (1) land zoned as an agricultural district or classification or (2) land otherwise permitted by a locality for farm winery use. For purposes of this definition, "land zoned agricultural" does not include land zoned "residential conservation." Except for the limitation on land zoned "residential conservation," nothing in the definition of "land zoned agricultural" shall otherwise limit or affect local zoning authority.

"Gift shop" means any bona fide retail store selling, predominantly, gifts, books, souvenirs, specialty items relating to history, original and handmade arts and products, collectibles, crafts, and floral arrangements, which is open to the public on a regular basis. Such shop shall be a permanent structure where stock is displayed and offered for sale and which has facilities to properly secure any stock of wine or beer. Such shop may be located (i) on the premises or grounds of a government registered national, state or local historic building or site or (ii) within the premises of a museum. The Board shall consider the purpose, characteristics, nature, and operation of the shop in determining whether it shall be considered a gift shop.

"Gourmet brewing shop" means an establishment which sells to persons to whom wine or beer may lawfully be sold, ingredients for making wine or brewing beer, including packaging, and rents to such persons facilities for manufacturing, fermenting and bottling such wine or beer.

"Gourmet oyster house" means an establishment that (i) is located on the premises of a commercial marina, (ii) is permitted by the Department of Health to serve oysters and other fresh seafood for consumption on the premises, and (iii) offers to the public events for the purpose of featuring and educating the consuming public about local oysters and other seafood products.

"Gourmet shop" means an establishment provided with adequate inventory, shelving, and storage facilities, where, in consideration of payment, substantial amounts of domestic and imported wines and beers of various types and sizes and related products such as cheeses and gourmet foods are habitually furnished to persons.

"Government store" means a store established by the Authority for the sale of alcoholic beverages.

"Grocery store" means an establishment that sells food and other items intended for human consumption, including a variety of ingredients commonly used in the preparation of meals.

"Historic cinema house" means a nonprofit establishment exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that was built prior to 1970 and that exists for the primary purpose of showing motion pictures to the public.

"Hotel" means any duly licensed establishment, provided with special space and accommodation, where, in consideration of payment, food and lodging are habitually furnished to persons, and which has four or more bedrooms. It shall also mean the person who operates such hotel.

"Interdicted person" means a person to whom the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by order pursuant to this subtitle.

"Internet wine and beer retailer" means a person who owns or operates an establishment with adequate inventory, shelving, and storage facilities, where, in consideration of payment, Internet or telephone orders are taken and shipped directly to consumers and which establishment is not a retail store open to the public.

"Intoxicated" means a condition in which a person has drunk enough alcoholic beverages to observably affect his manner, disposition, speech, muscular movement, general appearance, or behavior.

"Licensed" means the holding of a valid license granted by the Authority.

"Licensee" means any person to whom a license has been granted by the Authority.

"Liqueur" means any of a class of highly flavored alcoholic beverages that do not exceed an alcohol content of 25 percent by volume.

"Low alcohol beverage cooler" means a drink containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, but not more than seven and one-half percent alcohol by volume, and consisting of spirits mixed with nonalcoholic beverages or flavoring or coloring materials; it may also contain water, fruit juices, fruit adjuncts, sugar, carbon dioxide, preservatives or other similar products manufactured by fermenting fruit or fruit juices. Low alcohol beverage coolers shall be treated as wine for all purposes of this subtitle, except that low alcohol beverage coolers may be manufactured by a licensed distiller or a distiller located outside the Commonwealth.

"Marina store" means an establishment that is located on the same premises as a marina, is operated by the owner of such marina, and sells food and nautical and fishing supplies.

"Meals" means, for a mixed beverage license, an assortment of foods commonly ordered in bona fide, full-service restaurants as principal meals of the day. Such restaurants shall include establishments specializing in full course meals with a single substantial entree.

"Member of a club" means (i) a person who maintains his membership in the club by the payment of monthly, quarterly, or annual dues in the manner established by the rules and regulations thereof or (ii) a person who is a member of a bona fide auxiliary, local chapter, or squadron composed of direct lineal descendants of a bona fide member, whether alive or deceased, of a national or international organization to which an individual lodge holding a club license is an authorized member in the same locality. It shall also mean a lifetime member whose financial contribution is not less than 10 times the annual dues of resident members of the club, the full amount of such contribution being paid in advance in a lump sum.

"Mixed beverage" or "mixed alcoholic beverage" means a drink composed in whole or in part of spirits.

"Mixer" means any prepackaged ingredients containing beverages or flavoring or coloring materials, and which may also contain water, fruit juices, fruit adjuncts, sugar, carbon dioxide, or preservatives which are not commonly consumed unless combined with alcoholic beverages, whether or not such ingredients contain alcohol. Such specialty beverage product shall be manufactured or distributed by a Virginia corporation.

"Municipal golf course" means any golf course that is owned by any town incorporated in 1849 and which is the county seat of Smyth County.

"Performing arts facility" means an indoor or outdoor amphitheater, arena, multipurpose theater, or similar facility at which live musical, dance, theatre, or similar performances, the types of which are approved by the Authority, are performed, provided that the facility has stationary stadium or similar seating for more than 500 persons.

"Place or premises" means the real estate, together with any buildings or other improvements thereon, designated in the application for a license as the place at which the manufacture, bottling, distribution, use or sale of alcoholic beverages shall be performed, except that portion of any such building or other improvement actually and exclusively used as a private residence.

"Principal stockholder" means any person who individually or in concert with his spouse and immediate family members beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of the equity ownership of any person that is a licensee of the Authority, or who in concert with his spouse and immediate family members has the power to vote or cause the vote of five percent or more of any such equity ownership. "Principal stockholder" does not include a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that holds in inventory shares for sale on the financial markets for a publicly traded corporation holding, directly or indirectly, a license from the Authority.

"Public place" means any place, building, or conveyance to which the public has, or is permitted to have, access, including restaurants, soda fountains, hotel dining areas, lobbies and corridors of hotels, and any park, place of public resort or amusement, highway, street, lane, or sidewalk adjoining any highway, street, or lane.

"Public place" does not include (i) hotel or restaurant dining areas or ballrooms while in use for private meetings or private parties limited in attendance to members and guests of a particular group, association or organization; (ii) restaurants licensed by the Authority in office buildings or industrial or similar facilities while such restaurant is closed to the public and in use for private meetings or parties limited in attendance to employees and nonpaying guests of the owner or a lessee of all or part of such building or facility; (iii) offices, office buildings or industrial facilities while closed to the public and in use for private meetings or parties limited in attendance to employees and nonpaying guests of the owner or a lessee of all or part of such building or facility; or (iv) private recreational or chartered boats which are not licensed by the Board and on which alcoholic beverages are not sold.

"Residence" means any building or part of a building or structure where a person resides, but does not include any part of a building that is not actually and exclusively used as a private residence, nor any part of a hotel or club other than a private guest room thereof.

"Resort complex" means a facility (i) with a hotel owning year-round sports and recreational facilities located contiguously on the same property; (ii) owned by a nonstock, nonprofit, taxable corporation with voluntary membership which, as its primary function, makes available golf, ski, and other recreational facilities both to its members and to the general public; or (iii) operated by a corporation that operates as a management company which, as its primary function, makes available (a) vacation accommodations, guest rooms, or dwelling units and (b) golf, ski, and other recreational facilities to members of the managed entities and the general public. The hotel or corporation shall have or manage a minimum of 140 private guest rooms or dwelling units contained on not less than 50 acres, whether or not contiguous to the licensed premises; if the guest rooms or dwelling units are located on property that is not contiguous to the licensed premises, such guest rooms and dwelling units shall be located within the same locality. The Authority may consider the purpose, characteristics, and operation of the applicant establishment in determining whether it shall be considered as a resort complex. All other pertinent qualifications established by the Board for a hotel operation shall be observed by such licensee.

"Restaurant" means, for a wine and beer license or a limited mixed beverage restaurant license, any establishment provided with special space and accommodation, where, in consideration of payment, meals or other foods prepared on the premises are regularly sold.

"Restaurant" means, for a mixed beverage license other than a limited mixed beverage restaurant license, an established place of business (i) where meals with substantial entrees are regularly sold and (ii) which has adequate facilities and sufficient employees for cooking, preparing, and serving such meals for consumption at tables in dining areas on the premises, and includes establishments specializing in full course meals with a single substantial entree.

"Sale" and "sell" includes soliciting or receiving an order for; keeping, offering or exposing for sale; peddling, exchanging or bartering; or delivering otherwise than gratuitously, by any means, alcoholic beverages.

"Sangria" means a drink consisting of red or white wine mixed with some combination of sweeteners, fruit, fruit juice, soda, or soda water that may also be mixed with brandy, triple sec, or other similar spirits.

"Special agent" means an employee of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority whom the Board has designated as a law-enforcement officer pursuant to § 4.1-105.

"Special event" means an event sponsored by a duly organized nonprofit corporation or association and conducted for an athletic, charitable, civic, educational, political, or religious purpose.

"Spirits" means any beverage that contains alcohol obtained by distillation mixed with drinkable water and other substances, in solution, and includes, among other things, brandy, rum, whiskey, and gin, or any one or more of the last four named ingredients, but shall not include any such liquors completely denatured in accordance with formulas approved by the United States government.

"Sports facility" means a coliseum, stadium, racetrack, or similar facility at which professional sports, as defined in § 58.1-4030, or similar events, the types of which are approved by the Authority, are conducted.

"Wine" means any alcoholic beverage, including cider, obtained by the fermentation of the natural sugar content of fruits or other agricultural products containing (i) sugar, including honey and milk, either with or without additional sugar; (ii) one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume; and (iii) no product of distillation. "Wine" includes any wine to which wine spirits have been added, as provided in the Internal Revenue Code, to make products commonly known as "fortified wine" which do not exceed an alcohol content of 21 percent by volume.

"Wine cooler" means a drink containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, and not more than three and two-tenths percent of alcohol by weight or four percent by volume consisting of wine mixed with nonalcoholic beverages or flavoring or coloring materials, and which may also contain water, fruit juices, fruit adjuncts, sugar, carbon dioxide, or preservatives and shall include other similar products manufactured by fermenting fruit or fruit juices. Wine coolers and similar fermented fruit juice beverages shall be treated as wine for all purposes except for taxation under § 4.1-236.

"With or without meals" means the selling and serving of alcoholic beverages by retail licensees for on-premises consumption whether or not accompanied by food so long as the total food-beverage ratio required by § 4.1-206.3, or the monthly food sale requirement established by Board regulation, is met by such retail licensee.

Code 1950, §§ 4-2, 4-99; 1952, c. 496; 1954, c. 682; 1962, c. 533; 1968, c. 7, § 4-98.1; 1970, cc. 302, 309; 1974, cc. 460, 497; 1975, c. 408; 1976, cc. 64, 702; 1977, c. 280; 1980, cc. 324, 490; 1983, c. 340; 1984, c. 200; 1985, cc. 448, 457; 1988, c. 261, § 4-127; 1990, cc. 707, 932; 1991, c. 426; 1993, cc. 190, 866, 910; 1995, cc. 497, 518, 661; 1996, cc. 558, 604; 1997, cc. 124, 425; 1999, cc. 93, 171, 481; 2000, cc. 786, 1037, 1052; 2005, c. 911; 2006, c. 714; 2007, cc. 101, 295, 454, 558; 2008, cc. 198, 513, 875; 2013, cc. 107, 117; 2014, cc. 124, 510; 2015, cc. 25, 38, 54, 288, 348, 730, 735; 2016, cc. 324, 710; 2017, cc. 152, 157, 160, 492, 585, 741; 2018, c. 337; 2019, cc. 37, 178, 466, 628; 2020, cc. 755, 1009, 1010, 1113, 1114; 2023, c. 731; 2024, cc. 111, 255, 619, 622, 627.

A. The General Assembly has determined that there exists in the Commonwealth a need to control the possession, sale, transportation, distribution, and delivery of alcoholic beverages in the Commonwealth. Further, the General Assembly determines that the creation of an authority for this purpose is in the public interest, serves a public purpose, and will promote the health, safety, welfare, convenience, and prosperity of the people of the Commonwealth. To achieve this objective, there is hereby created an independent political subdivision of the Commonwealth, exclusive of the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of state government, to be known as the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. The Authority's exercise of powers and duties conferred by this subtitle shall be deemed the performance of an essential governmental function and a matter of public necessity for which public moneys may be spent. The Board of Directors of the Authority is vested with control of the possession, sale, transportation, distribution, and delivery of alcoholic beverages in the Commonwealth, with plenary power to prescribe and enforce regulations and conditions under which alcoholic beverages are possessed, sold, transported, distributed, and delivered, so as to prevent any corrupt, incompetent, dishonest, or unprincipled practices and to promote the health, safety, welfare, convenience, and prosperity of the people of the Commonwealth. The exercise of the powers granted by this subtitle shall be in all respects for the benefit of the citizens of the Commonwealth and for the promotion of their safety, health, welfare, and convenience. No part of the assets or net earnings of the Authority shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any private individual, except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the Authority affecting one or more of its purposes, and benefits may be conferred that are in conformity with said purposes, and no private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the Authority.

B. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority shall consist of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, and the agents and employees of the Authority. The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority shall be deemed successor in interest to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

C. Nothing contained in this subtitle shall be construed as a restriction or limitation upon any powers that the Board of Directors of the Authority might otherwise have under any other law of the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 4-6; 1976, c. 64; 1993, c. 866; 2015, cc. 38, 730.

A. The Authority shall be governed by a Board of Directors, which shall consist of five citizens at large appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in each house of the General Assembly. Each appointee shall (i) have been a resident of the Commonwealth for a period of at least three years next preceding his appointment, and his continued residency shall be a condition of his tenure in office; (ii) hold, at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree in business or a related field of study; and (iii) possess a minimum of seven years of demonstrated experience or expertise in the direct management, supervision, or control of a business or legal affairs. Appointees shall be subject to a background check in accordance with § 4.1-101.03.

B. After the initial staggering of terms, members shall be appointed for a term of five years. All members shall serve until their successors are appointed. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term. No member appointed by the Governor shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms; however, a member appointed to fill a vacancy may serve two additional consecutive terms. Members of the Board may be removed from office by the Governor for cause, including the improper use of its police powers, malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, misconduct, neglect of duty, absenteeism, conflict of interests, failure to carry out the policies of the Commonwealth as established in the Constitution or by the General Assembly, or refusal to carry out a lawful directive of the Governor.

C. The Governor shall appoint the chairman and vice-chairman of the Board from among the membership of the Board. The Board may elect other subordinate officers, who need not be members of the Board. The Board may also form committees and advisory councils, which may include representatives who are not members of the Board, to undertake more extensive study and discussion of the issues before the Board. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the Authority's business, and no vacancy in the membership shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise the rights and perform all duties of the Authority.

D. The Board shall meet at least every 60 days for the transaction of its business. Special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer or upon the written request of a majority of the Board members.

E. Members of the Board shall receive annually such salary, compensation, and reimbursement of expenses for the performance of their official duties as set forth in the general appropriation act for members of the House of Delegates when the General Assembly is not in session, except that the chairman of the Board shall receive annually such salary, compensation, and reimbursement of expenses for the performance of his official duties as set forth in the general appropriation act for a member of the Senate of Virginia when the General Assembly is not in session.

F. The provisions of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act (§ 2.2-3100 et seq.) shall apply to the members of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, and the employees of the Authority.

2015, cc. 38, 730; 2017, cc. 698, 707.

A. The Chief Executive Officer of the Authority shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in each house of the General Assembly. The Chief Executive Officer shall not be a member of the Board; shall hold, at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree in business or a related field of study; and shall possess a minimum of seven years of demonstrated experience or expertise in the direct management, supervision, or control of a business or legal affairs. The Chief Executive Officer shall receive such compensation as determined by the Board and approved by the Governor, including any performance bonuses or incentives as the Board deems advisable. The Chief Executive Officer shall be subject to a background check in accordance with § 4.1-101.03. The Chief Executive Officer shall (i) carry out the powers and duties conferred upon him by the Board or imposed upon him by law and (ii) meet performance measures or targets set by the Board and approved by the Governor. The Chief Executive Officer may be removed from office by the Governor for cause, including the improper use of the Authority's police powers, malfeasance, misfeasance, incompetence, misconduct, neglect of duty, absenteeism, conflict of interests, failure to meet performance measures or targets as set by the Board and approved by the Governor, failure to carry out the policies of the Commonwealth as established in the Constitution or by the General Assembly, or refusal to carry out a lawful directive of the Governor.

B. The Chief Executive Officer shall devote his full time to the performance of his official duties and shall not be engaged in any other profession or occupation.

C. The Chief Executive Officer shall supervise and administer the operations of the Authority in accordance with this subtitle.

D. The Chief Executive Officer shall:

1. Serve as the secretary to the Board and keep a true and full record of all proceedings of the Authority and preserve at the Authority's general office all books, documents, and papers of the Authority;

2. Exercise and perform such powers and duties as may be delegated to him by the Board or as may be conferred or imposed upon him by law;

3. Employ or retain such special agents or employees subordinate to the Chief Executive Officer as may be necessary to fulfill the duties of the Authority conferred upon the Chief Executive Officer, subject to the Board's approval; and

4. Make recommendations to the Board for legislative and regulatory changes.

E. Neither the Chief Executive Officer nor the spouse or any member of the immediate family of the Chief Executive Officer shall make any contribution to a candidate for office or officeholder at the local or state level or cause such a contribution to be made on his behalf.

F. To assist the Chief Executive Officer in the performance of his duties, the Governor shall also appoint one confidential assistant for administration who shall be deemed to serve on an employment-at-will basis.

2015, cc. 38, 730; 2017, cc. 698, 707.

All members of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer shall be fingerprinted before, and as a condition of, appointment. These fingerprints shall be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records search and to the Department of State Police for a Virginia criminal history records search. The Department of State Police shall be reimbursed by the Authority for the cost of investigations conducted pursuant to this section. No person shall be appointed to the Board or appointed by the Board who (i) has defrauded or attempted to defraud any federal, state, or local government or governmental agency or authority by making or filing any report, document, or tax return required by statute or regulation that is fraudulent or contains a false representation of a material fact; (ii) has willfully deceived or attempted to deceive any federal, state, or local government or governmental agency or governmental authority by making or maintaining business records required by statute or regulation that are false and fraudulent; or (iii) has been convicted of (a) a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or (b) a violation of any law applicable to the manufacture, transportation, possession, use, or sale of alcoholic beverages within the five years immediately preceding appointment.

2015, cc. 38, 730.

No Board member or employee of the Authority shall (i) be a principal stockholder or (ii) otherwise have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in any licensee subject to the provisions of this subtitle or in any entity that has submitted an application for a license under Chapter 2 (§ 4.1-200 et seq.). No Board member and no spouse or immediate family member of a Board member shall make any contribution to a candidate for office or officeholder at the local or state level or cause such a contribution to be made on his behalf.

2015, cc. 38, 730.

A. Employees of the Authority shall be considered employees of the Commonwealth. Employees of the Authority shall be eligible for membership in the Virginia Retirement System or other retirement plan as authorized by Article 4 (§ 51.1-125 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 51.1 and participation in all health and related insurance and other benefits, including premium conversion and flexible benefits, available to state employees as provided by law. Employees of the Authority shall be employed on such terms and conditions as established by the Board. The Board shall develop and adopt policies and procedures that afford its employees grievance rights, ensure that employment decisions shall be based upon the merit and fitness of applicants, and prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Board shall develop, implement, and administer a paid leave program, which may include annual, personal, and sick leave or any combination thereof. All other leave benefits shall be administered in accordance with Chapter 11 (§ 51.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 51.1, except as otherwise provided in this section.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Authority shall give preference in hiring to special agents and employees of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The Authority shall issue a written notice to all persons whose employment at the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will be transferred to the Authority. The date upon which such written notice is issued shall be referred to herein as the "Option Date." In order to facilitate an orderly and efficient transition and ensure the continuation of operations during the transition from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (the Department) to the Authority, the Authority shall have discretion, subject to the time limitations contained herein, to determine the date upon which any employee's employment with the Department will end or be transferred to the Authority. This date shall be stated in the written notice and shall be referred to herein as the "Transition Date." No Transition Date shall occur prior to July 1, 2018, without the mutual agreement of the employee and the Authority. No Transition Date shall be set beyond December 31, 2018. Each person whose employment will be transferred to the Authority may, by written request made within 180 days of the Option Date, elect not to become employed by the Authority. Any employee of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control who (i) is not offered the opportunity to transfer to employment by the Authority or (ii) is not offered a position with the Authority for which the employee is qualified or is offered a position that requires relocation or a reduction in salary shall be eligible for the severance benefits conferred by the provisions of the Workforce Transition Act (§ 2.2-3200 et seq.). Any employee who accepts employment with the Authority shall not be considered to be involuntarily separated from state employment and shall not be eligible for the severance benefits conferred by the provisions of the Workforce Transition Act. Any eligibility for such severance benefits shall be contingent on the continued employment through an employee's Transition Date.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person whose employment is transferred to the Authority as a result of this section and who is a member of any plan for providing health insurance coverage pursuant to Chapter 28 (§ 2.2-2800 et seq.) of Title 2.2 shall continue to be a member of such health insurance plan under the same terms and conditions as if no transfer had occurred.

D. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person whose employment is transferred to the Authority as a result of this section and who is a member of the Virginia Retirement System or other retirement plan as authorized by Article 4 (§ 51.1-125 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 51.1 shall continue to be a member of the Virginia Retirement System or other such authorized retirement plan under the same terms and conditions as if no transfer had occurred.

E. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person whose employment is transferred to the Authority as a result of this section and who was subjected to a criminal history background check as a condition of employment with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control shall not be subject to the requirements of § 4.1-103.1, unless the Authority deems otherwise.

2015, cc. 38, 730; 2017, cc. 698, 707, 742; 2020, c. 1137.

All moneys of the Authority, from whatever source derived, shall be paid in accordance with § 4.1-116.

2015, cc. 38, 730.

A. The accounts and records of the Authority showing the receipt and disbursement of funds from whatever source derived shall be in a form prescribed by the Auditor of Public Accounts. The Auditor of Public Accounts or his legally authorized representatives shall annually examine the accounts and books of the Authority. The Authority shall submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on or before December 15 of each year. Such report shall contain the audited annual financial statements of the Authority for the year ending the previous June 30. The Authority shall also submit a six-year plan detailing its assumed revenue forecast, assumed operating costs, number of retail facilities, capital costs, including lease payments, major acquisitions of services and tangible or intangible property, any material changes to the policies and procedures issued by the Authority related to procurement or personnel, and any proposed marketing activities.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in exercising any power conferred under this subtitle, the Authority may implement and maintain independent payroll and nonpayroll disbursement systems. These systems and related procedures shall be subject to review and approval by the State Comptroller. Upon agreement with the State Comptroller, the Authority may report summary level detail on both payroll and nonpayroll transactions to the State Comptroller through the Department of Accounts' financial management system or its successor system. Such reports shall be made in accordance with policies, procedures, and directives as prescribed by the State Comptroller. A nonpayroll disbursement system shall include all disbursements and expenditures, other than payroll. Such disbursements and expenditures shall include travel reimbursements, revenue refunds, disbursements for vendor payments, petty cash, and interagency payments.

2015, cc. 38, 730; 2017, cc. 698, 707.

The Authority shall be exempt from the provisions of § 2.2-1149 and from any rules, regulations, and guidelines of the Division of Engineering and Buildings in relation to leases of real property into which it enters.

2015, cc. 38, 730.

The exercise of the powers granted by this subtitle shall be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity, and for the improvement of their living conditions, and as the undertaking of activities in the furtherance of the purposes of the Authority constitutes the performance of essential governmental functions, the Authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any property acquired or used by the Authority under the provisions of this subtitle or upon the income therefrom, including sales and use taxes on the tangible personal property used in the operations of the Authority. The exemption granted in this section shall not be construed to extend to persons conducting on the premises of any property of the Authority businesses for which local or state taxes would otherwise be required.

2015, cc. 38, 730.

A. The provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act (§ 2.2-2900 et seq.) and the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.) shall not apply to the Authority in the exercise of any power conferred under this subtitle. Nor shall the provisions of Chapter 20.1 (§ 2.2-2005 et seq.) of Title 2.2 or Article 2 (§ 51.1-1104 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 51.1 apply to the Authority in the exercise of any power conferred under this subtitle.

B. To effect its implementation, the Authority's procurement of goods, services, insurance, and construction and the disposition of surplus materials shall be exempt from:

1. State agency requirements regarding disposition of surplus materials and distribution of proceeds from the sale or recycling of surplus materials under §§ 2.2-1124 and 2.2-1125;

2. The requirement to purchase from the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired under § 2.2-1117; and

3. Any other state statutes, rules, regulations, or requirements relating to the procurement of goods, services, insurance, and construction, including Article 3 (§ 2.2-1109 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 2.2, regarding the duties, responsibilities, and authority of the Division of Purchases and Supply of the Virginia Department of General Services, and Article 4 (§ 2.2-1129 et seq.) of Chapter 11 of Title 2.2, regarding the review and the oversight by the Division of Engineering and Buildings of the Department of General Services of contracts for the construction of the Authority's capital projects and construction-related professional services under § 2.2-1132.

C. The Authority (i) may purchase from and participate in all statewide contracts for goods and services, including information technology goods and services; (ii) shall use directly or by integration or interface the Commonwealth's electronic procurement system subject to the terms and conditions agreed upon between the Authority and the Department of General Services; and (iii) shall post on the Department of General Services' central electronic procurement website all Invitations to Bid, Requests for Proposal, sole source award notices, and emergency award notices to ensure visibility and access to the Authority's procurement opportunities on one website.

2015, cc. 38, 730; 2017, cc. 698, 707.

In the event of the dissolution of the Authority, all assets of the Authority, after satisfaction of creditors, shall revert to the Commonwealth.

2015, cc. 38, 730.

A. Whenever in this subtitle the Board is required to send any mail or notice by certified mail and such mail or notice is sent certified mail, return receipt requested, then any subsequent, identical mail or notice that is sent by the Board may be sent by regular mail.

B. Except as provided in subsection C, whenever in this subtitle the Board is required or permitted to send any mail, notice, or other official communication by regular mail to persons licensed under Chapter 2 (§ 4.1-200 et seq.), upon the request of a licensee, the Board may instead send such mail, notice, or official communication by email, text message, or other electronic means to the email address, telephone number, or other contact information provided to the Board by the licensee, provided that the Board retains sufficient proof of the electronic delivery, which may be an electronic receipt of delivery or a certificate of service prepared by the Board confirming the electronic delivery.

C. No notice required by § 4.1-227 to (i) a licensee of a hearing that may result in the suspension or revocation of his license or the imposition of a civil penalty or (ii) a person holding a permit shall be sent by the Board by email, text message, or other electronic means, nor shall any decision by the Board to suspend or revoke a license or permit or impose a civil penalty be sent by the Board by email, text message, or other electronic means.

2011, c. 566; 2015, c. 412.

Repealed by Acts 2015, cc. 38 and 730, cl. 3, effective July 1, 2018.

The Board shall have the power to:

1. Sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, and complain and defend in all courts;

2. Adopt, use, and alter at will a common seal;

3. Fix, alter, charge, and collect rates, rentals, fees, and other charges for the use of property of, the sale of products of, or services rendered by the Authority at rates to be determined by the Authority for the purpose of providing for the payment of the expenses of the Authority;

4. Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties, the furtherance of its purposes, and the execution of its powers under this subtitle, including agreements with any person or federal agency;

5. Employ, at its discretion, consultants, researchers, architects, engineers, accountants, financial experts, investment bankers, superintendents, managers, and such other employees and special agents as may be necessary and fix their compensation to be payable from funds made available to the Authority. Legal services for the Authority shall be provided by the Attorney General in accordance with Chapter 5 (§ 2.2-500 et seq.) of Title 2.2;

6. Receive and accept from any federal or private agency, foundation, corporation, association, or person grants or other aid to be expended in accomplishing the objectives of the Authority, and receive and accept from the Commonwealth or any state and any municipality, county, or other political subdivision thereof or from any other source aid or contributions of either money, property, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied only for the purposes for which such grants and contributions may be made. All federal moneys accepted under this section shall be accepted and expended by the Authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States and as are consistent with state law, and all state moneys accepted under this section shall be expended by the Authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the Commonwealth;

7. Adopt, alter, and repeal bylaws, rules, and regulations governing the manner in which its business shall be transacted and the manner in which the powers of the Authority shall be exercised and its duties performed. The Board may delegate or assign any duty or task to be performed by the Authority to any officer or employee of the Authority. The Board shall remain responsible for the performance of any such duties or tasks. Any delegation pursuant to this subdivision shall, where appropriate, be accompanied by written guidelines for the exercise of the duties or tasks delegated. Where appropriate, the guidelines shall require that the Board receive summaries of actions taken. Such delegation or assignment shall not relieve the Board of the responsibility to ensure faithful performance of the duties and tasks;

8. Conduct or engage in any lawful business, activity, effort, or project consistent with the Authority's purposes or necessary or convenient to exercise its powers;

9. Develop policies and procedures generally applicable to the procurement of goods, services, and construction, based upon competitive principles;

10. Develop policies and procedures consistent with Article 4 (§ 2.2-4347 et seq.) of Chapter 43 of Title 2.2;

11. Buy, import and sell alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine not produced by farm wineries, and to have alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine not produced by farm wineries in its possession for sale;

12. Buy and sell any mixers;

13. Buy and sell products licensed by the Virginia Tourism Corporation that are within international trademark classes 16 (paper goods and printer matters), 18 (leather goods), 21 (housewares and glass), and 25 (clothing);

14. Control the possession, sale, transportation, and delivery of alcoholic beverages;

15. Determine, subject to § 4.1-121, the localities within which government stores shall be established or operated and the location of such stores;

16. Maintain warehouses for alcoholic beverages and control the storage and delivery of alcoholic beverages to and from such warehouses;

17. Acquire, purchase, hold, use, lease, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of the Authority; lease as lessee any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, at such annual rental and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board; lease as lessor to any person any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, at any time acquired by the Authority, whether wholly or partially completed, at such annual rental and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board; sell, transfer, or convey any property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, at any time acquired or held by the Authority on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board; and occupy and improve any land or building required for the purposes of this subtitle;

18. Purchase, lease, or acquire the use of, by any manner, any plant or equipment that may be considered necessary or useful in carrying into effect the purposes of this subtitle, including rectifying, blending, and processing plants. The Board may purchase, build, lease, and operate distilleries and manufacture alcoholic beverages;

19. Determine the nature, form and capacity of all containers used for holding alcoholic beverages to be kept or sold under this subtitle, and prescribe the form and content of all labels and seals to be placed thereon; however, no container sold in or shipped into the Commonwealth shall include powdered or crystalline alcohol;

20. Appoint every agent and employee required for its operations; require any or all of them to give bonds payable to the Commonwealth in such penalty as shall be fixed by the Board; and engage the services of experts and professionals;

21. Hold and conduct hearings; issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of records, memoranda, papers and other documents before the Board or any agent of the Board; and administer oaths and take testimony thereunder. The Board may authorize any Board member or agent of the Board to hold and conduct hearings, issue subpoenas, administer oaths and take testimony thereunder, and decide cases, subject to final decision by the Board, on application of any party aggrieved. The Board may enter into consent agreements and may request and accept from any applicant or licensee a consent agreement in lieu of proceedings on (i) objections to the issuance of a license or (ii) disciplinary action. Any such consent agreement shall include findings of fact and may include an admission or a finding of a violation. A consent agreement shall not be considered a case decision of the Board and shall not be subject to judicial review under the provisions of the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), but may be considered by the Board in future disciplinary proceedings;

22. Make a reasonable charge for preparing and furnishing statistical information and compilations to persons other than (i) officials, including court and police officials, of the Commonwealth and of its subdivisions if the information requested is for official use and (ii) persons who have a personal or legal interest in obtaining the information requested if such information is not to be used for commercial or trade purposes;

23. Promulgate regulations in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) and § 4.1-111;

24. Grant, suspend, and revoke licenses for the manufacture, bottling, distribution, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages;

25. Assess and collect civil penalties and civil charges for violations of this subtitle and Board regulations;

26. Maintain actions to enjoin common nuisances as defined in § 4.1-317;

27. Establish minimum food sale requirements for all retail licensees;

28. Review and approve any proposed legislative or regulatory changes suggested by the Chief Executive Officer as the Board deems appropriate;

29. Report quarterly to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security on the law-enforcement activities undertaken to enforce the provisions of this subtitle;

30. Establish and collect fees for all permits set forth in this subtitle, including fees associated with applications for such permits;

31. Impose a requirement that a mixed beverage casino licensee pursuant to subdivision A 14 of § 4.1-206.3 pay for any cost incurred by the Board to enforce such license in excess of the applicable state license fee; and

32. Do all acts necessary or advisable to carry out the purposes of this subtitle.

Code 1950, § 4-7; 1974, c. 460; 1982, c. 647; 1984, c. 200; 1993, c. 866; 1996, c. 558; 2015, cc. 25, 38, 730, 735; 2016, c. 21; 2017, cc. 698, 707; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2022, cc. 589, 590; 2024, cc. 111, 255, 619, 622, 627.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 58.1-3 or any other provision of law, the Tax Commissioner shall provide to the Board the name, address, and other identifying information within his possession of all wholesale cigarette dealers.

B. All invoices, books, papers or other memoranda and records concerning the sale of cigarettes maintained by wholesale cigarette dealers pursuant to § 58.1-1007 shall be subject to inspection during normal business hours by special agents of the Board. Any person who, upon request by a special agent, unreasonably fails or refuses to allow an inspection of the records authorized by this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

C. The Board may use the information obtained from the Tax Commissioner or by the inspections authorized by subsection B only for the purpose of creating and maintaining a list of retail dealers to facilitate enforcement of the laws governing the sale of tobacco products to minors. Neither the Board nor any special agent shall divulge any information provided by the Tax Commissioner or obtained in the performance of the inspections authorized by subsection B to anyone other than to another special agent. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

1998, cc. 189, 364.

It shall be the responsibility of the Board to administer a substance abuse prevention program within the Commonwealth and to (i) coordinate substance abuse prevention activities of agencies of the Commonwealth in such program, (ii) review substance abuse prevention program expenditures by agencies of the Commonwealth, and (iii) determine the direction and appropriateness of such expenditures. The Board shall cooperate with federal, state, and local agencies, private and public agencies, interested organizations, and individuals in order to prevent substance abuse within the Commonwealth. The Board shall report annually by December 1 of each year to the Governor and the General Assembly on the substance abuse prevention activities of the Commonwealth.

The Board shall also establish and appoint members to the Virginia Institutions of Higher Education Substance Use Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee). The goal of the Advisory Committee shall be to develop and update a statewide strategic plan for substance use education, prevention, and intervention at Virginia's public and private institutions of higher education. The strategic plan shall (a) incorporate the use of best practices, which may include, but not be limited to, student-led peer-to-peer education and college or other institution of higher education recovery programs; (b) provide for the collection of statewide data from all institutions of higher education on student alcohol and substance use; (c) assist institutions of higher education in developing their individual strategic plans by providing networking and training resources and materials; and (d) develop and maintain reporting guidelines for use by institutions of higher education in their individual strategic plans.

The Advisory Committee shall consist of representatives from Virginia's public and private institutions of higher education, including students and directors of student health, and such other members as the Board may deem appropriate. The Advisory Committee's membership shall be broadly representative of individuals from both public and private institutions of higher education.

The Advisory Committee shall submit an annual report on its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 1 each year.

2012, cc. 803, 835; 2018, cc. 210, 211.

A. As used in this section:

"Appropriate case" means any alleged license violation or objection to the application for a license in which it is apparent that there are significant issues of disagreement among interested persons and for which the Board finds that the use of a mediation or dispute resolution proceeding is in the public interest.

"Dispute resolution proceeding" means the same as that term is defined in § 8.01-576.4.

"Mediation" means the same as that term is defined in § 8.01-576.4.

"Neutral" means the same as that term is defined in § 8.01-576.4.

B. The Board may use mediation or a dispute resolution proceeding in appropriate cases to resolve underlying issues or reach a consensus or compromise on contested issues. Mediation and other dispute resolution proceedings as authorized by this section shall be voluntary procedures that supplement, rather than limit, other dispute resolution techniques available to the Board. Mediation or a dispute resolution proceeding may be used for an objection to the issuance of a license only with the consent of, and participation by, the applicant for licensure and shall be terminated at the request of such applicant.

C. Any resolution of a contested issue accepted by the Board under this section shall be considered a consent agreement as provided in subdivision 21 of § 4.1-103. The decision to use mediation or a dispute resolution proceeding is in the Board's sole discretion and shall not be subject to judicial review.

D. The Board may adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.), for the implementation of this section. Such rules and regulations may include (i) standards and procedures for the conduct of mediation and dispute resolution proceedings, including an opportunity for interested persons identified by the Board to participate in the proceeding; (ii) the appointment and function of a neutral to encourage and assist parties to voluntarily compromise or settle contested issues; and (iii) procedures to protect the confidentiality of papers, work products, or other materials.

E. The provisions of § 8.01-576.10 concerning the confidentiality of a mediation or dispute resolution proceeding shall govern all such proceedings held pursuant to this section except where the Board uses or relies on information obtained in the course of such proceeding in granting a license, suspending or revoking a license, or accepting payment of a civil penalty or investigative costs. However, a consent agreement signed by the parties shall not be confidential.

2017, cc. 698, 707; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.

All persons hired by the Authority whose job duties involve access to or handling of the Authority's funds or merchandise shall be subject to a criminal history records check before, and as a condition of, employment.

The Board shall develop policies regarding the employment of persons who have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.

The Department of State Police shall be reimbursed by the Authority for the cost of investigations conducted pursuant to this section.

1994, c. 34; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2017, cc. 698, 707.

The purchasing of alcoholic beverages and mixers, products used in connection with distilled spirits intended for resale, or products licensed by the Virginia Tourism Corporation as specified in § 4.1-103 intended for resale, the making of leases, and the purchasing of real estate by the Board under the provisions of this subtitle are exempt from the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq.).

Code 1950, § 4-18; 1993, c. 866; 1996, c. 558; 2008, c. 135; 2016, c. 21.

Members of the Board are vested, and such agents and employees of the Board designated by it shall be vested, with like power to enforce the provisions of (i) this subtitle and the criminal laws of the Commonwealth as is vested in the chief law-enforcement officer of a county, city, or town; (ii) § 3.2-4207; (iii) § 18.2-246.14; (iv) § 18.2-371.2; (v) § 58.1-1015; (vi) § 58.1-1017; and (vii) § 58.1-1037.

Code 1950, § 4-8; 1993, c. 866; 1997, cc. 812, 882; 2000, cc. 880, 901; 2006, c. 695; 2024, c. 540.

A. No Board member may be sued civilly for doing or omitting to do any act in the performance of his duties as prescribed by this subtitle, except by the Commonwealth, and then only in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond. Such proceedings by the Commonwealth shall be instituted and conducted by the Attorney General.

B. The Board may, in the name of the Commonwealth, be sued in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond to enforce any contract made by it or to recover damages for any breach thereof. The Board may defend the proceedings and may institute proceedings in any court. No such proceedings shall be taken against, or in the names of, the members of the Board.

Code 1950, § 4-12; 1993, c. 866.

If any member, agent, or employee of the Board shall be arrested, indicted or otherwise prosecuted on any charge arising out of any act committed in the discharge of his official duties, the Board chairman may employ special counsel approved by the Attorney General to defend such member, agent, or employee. The compensation for special counsel employed pursuant to this section, shall, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, be paid in the same manner as other expenses incident to the administration of this subtitle are paid.

Code 1950, § 4-20; 1958, c. 542; 1993, c. 866.

Any licensee or applicant for any license granted by the Board shall have the right to be represented by counsel at any Board hearing for which he has received notice. The licensee or applicant shall not be required to be represented by counsel during such hearing. Any officer or director of a corporation may examine, cross-examine and question witnesses; present evidence on behalf of the corporation; and draw conclusions and make arguments before the Board or hearing officers without being in violation of the provisions of § 54.1-3904.

1989, c. 266, § 4-10.1; 1993, c. 866.

Witnesses subpoenaed to appear on behalf of the Board shall be entitled to the same allowance for expenses as witnesses for the Commonwealth in criminal cases in accordance with § 17.1-611. Such allowances shall be paid out of the fund from which other costs incurred by the Board are paid upon certification to the Comptroller.

Code 1950, § 4-10; 1954, c. 709; 1993, c. 866.

A. Every order of the Board for the purchase of alcoholic beverages shall be authenticated by the chairman or by a member or agent of the Board, authorized by the Board to authenticate such orders. No order shall be binding unless so authenticated.

B. A duplicate of every such order shall be kept on file in the office of the Board in accordance with retention regulations established pursuant to the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq.).

C. All cancellations of orders made by the Board shall be authenticated in the same manner and a duplicate kept as required by subsection B.

Code 1950, § 4-17; 1972, c. 138; 1984, c. 469; 1993, c. 866.

A. The Board may promulgate reasonable regulations, not inconsistent with this subtitle or the general laws of the Commonwealth, which it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this subtitle and to prevent the illegal manufacture, bottling, sale, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. The Board may amend or repeal such regulations. Such regulations shall be promulgated, amended or repealed in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) and shall have the effect of law.

B. The Board shall promulgate regulations that:

1. Prescribe what hours and on what days alcoholic beverages shall not be sold by licensees or consumed on any licensed premises, including a provision that mixed beverages may be sold only at such times as wine and beer may be sold.

2. Require mixed beverage caterer licensees to notify the Board in advance of any event to be served by such licensee.

3. Maintain the reasonable separation of retailer interests from those of the manufacturers, bottlers, brokers, importers, and wholesalers in accordance with § 4.1-216 and in consideration of the established trade customs, quantity, and value of the articles or services involved; prevent undue competitive domination of any person by any other person engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and sale at retail or wholesale of alcoholic beverages in the Commonwealth; and promote reasonable accommodation of arm's length business transactions.

4. Establish requirements for the form, content, and retention of all records and accounts, including the (i) reporting and collection of taxes required by § 4.1-236 and (ii) the sale of alcoholic beverages in kegs, by all licensees.

5. Require retail licensees to file an appeal from any hearing decision rendered by a hearing officer within 30 days of the date the notice of the decision is sent. The notice shall be sent to the licensee at the address on record with the Board by certified mail, return receipt requested, and by regular mail.

6. Prescribe the terms and conditions under which persons who collect or trade designer or vintage spirit bottles may sell such bottles at auction, provided that (i) the auction is conducted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 6 (§ 54.1-600 et seq.) of Title 54.1 and (ii) the bottles are unopened and the manufacturers' seals, marks, or stamps affixed to the bottles are intact.

7. Prescribe the terms and conditions under which credit or debit cards may be accepted from licensees for purchases at government stores, including provision for the collection, where appropriate, of related fees, penalties, and service charges.

8. Require that banquet licensees in charge of public events as defined by Board regulations report to the Board the income and expenses associated with the public event on a form prescribed by the Board when the banquet licensee engages another person to organize, conduct, or operate the event on behalf of the banquet licensee. Such regulations shall be applicable only to public events where alcoholic beverages are being sold.

9. Provide alternative methods for licensees to maintain and store business records that are subject to Board inspection, including methods for Board-approved electronic and off-site storage.

10. Require off-premises retail licensees to place any premixed alcoholic energy drinks containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume in the same location where wine and beer are available for sale within the licensed premises.

11. Prescribe the terms and conditions under which mixed beverage licensees may infuse, store, and sell flavored distilled spirits, including a provision that limits infusion containers to a maximum of 20 liters.

12. Prescribe the schedule of proration for refunded license taxes to licensees who qualify pursuant to subsection C of § 4.1-232.

13. Establish reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages, not inconsistent with the provisions of this subtitle, so that such advertising does not encourage or otherwise promote the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons to whom alcoholic beverages may not be lawfully sold. Such regulations shall:

a. Restrict outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages in publicly visible locations consistent with (i) the general prohibition against tied interests between retail licensees and manufacturers or wholesale licensees as provided in §§ 4.1-215 and 4.1-216; (ii) the prohibition against manufacturer control of wholesale licensees as set forth in § 4.1-223 and Board regulations adopted pursuant thereto; and (iii) the general prohibition against cooperative advertising between manufacturers, wholesalers, or importers and retail licensees as set forth in Board regulation; and

b. Permit (i) any outdoor signage or advertising not otherwise prohibited by this subtitle and (ii) the display of outdoor alcoholic beverage advertising on lawfully erected billboard signs regulated under Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 where such signs are located on commercial real estate as defined in § 55.1-1100, but only in accordance with this subtitle.

14. Prescribe the terms and conditions under which a licensed brewery may manufacture beer pursuant to an agreement with a brand owner not under common control with the manufacturing brewery and sell and deliver the beer so manufactured to the brand owner. The regulations shall require that (i) the brand owner be an entity appropriately licensed as a brewery or beer wholesaler, (ii) a written agreement be entered into by the parties, and (iii) records as deemed appropriate by the Board are maintained by the parties.

15. Prescribe the terms for any "happy hour" conducted by on-premises licensees. Such regulations shall permit on-premises licensees to advertise any alcoholic beverage products featured during a happy hour and any pricing related to such happy hour. Such regulations shall not prohibit on-premises licensees from using creative marketing techniques in such advertisements, provided that such techniques do not tend to induce overconsumption or consumption by minors.

16. Permit retail on-premises licensees to give a gift of one alcoholic beverage to a patron or one bottle of wine to a group of two or more patrons, provided that (i) such gifts only are made to individuals to whom such products may lawfully be sold and (ii) only one such gift is given during any 24-hour period and subject to any Board limitations on the frequency of such gifts.

17. Permit the sale of beer and cider for off-premises consumption in resealable growlers made of glass, ceramic, metal, or other materials approved by the Board, or other resealable containers approved by the Board, with a maximum capacity of 128 fluid ounces or, for metric-sized containers, four liters.

18. Permit the sale of wine for off-premises consumption in resealable growlers made of glass, ceramic, metal, or other materials approved by the Board, or other resealable containers approved by the Board, with a maximum capacity of 64 fluid ounces or, for metric-sized containers, two liters. Wine growlers may be used only by persons licensed to sell wine for both on-premises and off-premises consumption or by gourmet shops granted a retail off-premises wine and beer license. Growlers sold by gourmet shops shall be labeled with (i) the manufacturer's name or trade name, (ii) the place of production, (iii) the net contents in fluid ounces, and (iv) the name and address of the retailer.

19. Permit the sale of wine, cider, and beer by retailers licensed to sell beer and wine for both on-premises and off-premises consumption, or by gourmet shops granted a retail off-premises wine and beer license for off-premises consumption in sealed containers made of metal or other materials approved by the Board with a maximum capacity of 32 fluid ounces or, for metric-sized containers, one liter, provided that the alcoholic beverage is placed in the container following an order from the consumer.

20. Permit mixed beverage licensees to premix containers of sangria and other mixed alcoholic beverages and to serve such alcoholic beverages in pitchers, subject to size and quantity limitations established by the Board.

21. Establish and make available to all licensees and permittees for which on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed and employees of such licensees and permittees who serve as a bartender or otherwise sell, serve, or dispense alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption a bar bystander training module, which shall include (i) information that enables licensees, permittees, and their employees to recognize situations that may lead to sexual assault and (ii) intervention strategies to prevent such situations from culminating in sexual assault.

22. Require mixed beverage licensees, except for mixed beverage casino licensees, to have food, cooked or prepared on the licensed premises, available for on-premises consumption until at least 30 minutes prior to an establishment's closing. Such food shall be available in all areas of the licensed premises in which spirits are sold or served.

23. Prescribe the terms and conditions under which the Board may suspend the privilege of a mixed beverage licensee to purchase spirits from the Board upon such licensee's failure to submit any records or other documents necessary to verify the licensee's compliance with applicable minimum food sale requirements within 30 days of the date such records or documents are due.

24. Prescribe the terms and conditions under which manufacturers, brokers, importers, and wholesalers may advertise and promote alcoholic beverages via the Internet, social media, direct-to-consumer electronic communication, or other electronic means in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this subtitle.

C. The Board may promulgate regulations that:

1. Provide for the waiver of the license tax for an applicant for a banquet license, such waiver to be based on (i) the amount of alcoholic beverages to be provided by the applicant, (ii) the not-for-profit status of the applicant, and (iii) the condition that no profits are to be generated from the event. For the purposes of clause (ii), the applicant shall submit with the application, an affidavit certifying its not-for-profit status. The granting of such waiver shall be limited to two events per year for each applicant.

2. Establish limitations on the quantity and value of any gifts of alcoholic beverages made in the course of any business entertainment pursuant to subdivision A 22 of § 4.1-325 or subsection C of § 4.1-325.2.

3. Provide incentives to licensees with a proven history of compliance with state and federal laws and regulations to encourage licensees to conduct their business and related activities in a manner that is beneficial to the Commonwealth.

D. Board regulations shall be uniform in their application, except those relating to hours of sale for licensees.

E. Courts shall take judicial notice of Board regulations.

F. The Board's power to regulate shall be broadly construed.

Code 1950, §§ 4-11, 4-36; 1968, c. 7, §§ 4-98.5, 4-98.14; 1974, c. 460; 1982, c. 145; 1991, c. 690; 1992, c. 220; 1993, cc. 433, 866; 1997, c. 40; 1998, c. 301; 1999, cc. 98, 641; 2003, c. 856; 2008, c. 513; 2009, c. 122; 2010, c. 481; 2011, c. 728; 2012, cc. 376, 760, 818; 2015, cc. 404, 412; 2017, cc. 160, 743, 744; 2019, cc. 7, 29, 706; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114; 2022, cc. 589, 590; 2024, cc. 38, 139.

The Board may promulgate regulations relating to the transportation of beer and wine coolers through the Commonwealth, including a prohibition against the direct shipment of beer or wine coolers from points outside the Commonwealth to installations of the United States armed forces located within the Commonwealth for resale on such installation.

1988, c. 261, § 4-144; 1993, c. 866.

Repealed by Acts 2007, cc. 99 and 799, cl. 2.

A. No outdoor alcoholic beverage advertising shall be placed within 500 linear feet on the same side of the road, and parallel to such road, measured from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on the real property of (i) a church, synagogue, mosque or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; or (iv) a dwelling used for residential use.

B. However, (i) if there is no building or structure on a playground or similar recreational facility, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the property line of such playground or similar recreational facility and (ii) if a public or private school providing grade K through 12 education is located across the road from a sign, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on such real property across the road.

C. If, at the time the advertisement was displayed, the advertisement was more than 500 feet from (i) a church, synagogue, mosque or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; or (iv) a dwelling used for residential use, but the circumstances change such that the advertiser would otherwise be in violation of subsection A, the Board shall permit the advertisement to remain as displayed for the remainder of the term of any written advertising contract, but in no event more than one year from the date of the change in circumstances.

D. The Board may grant a permit authorizing a variance from the distance requirements of this section upon a finding that the placement of alcoholic beverage advertising on a sign will not unduly expose children to alcoholic beverage advertising.

E. Provided such signs are in compliance with local ordinances, the distance and zoning restrictions contained in this section shall not apply to:

1. Signs placed by licensees upon the property on which the licensed premises are located; or

2. Directional signs placed by manufacturers or wholesalers with advertising limited to trade names, brand names, the terms "distillery," "brewery," "farm winery," or "winery," and tour information.

F. The distance and zoning restrictions contained in this section shall not apply to any sign that is included in the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.

G. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize billboard signs containing outdoor alcoholic beverage advertising on property zoned agricultural or residential, or on any unzoned property. Nor shall this section be construed to authorize the erection of new billboard signs containing outdoor advertising that would be prohibited under state law or local ordinance.

H. All lawfully erected outdoor alcoholic beverage signs shall comply with the provisions of this subtitle, Board regulations, and Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Further, any outdoor alcoholic beverage directional sign located or to be located on highway rights of way shall also be governed by and comply with the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.

2012, cc. 760, 818.

A. The Board shall not regulate the use of advertising materials or decorations within the premises of a retail on-premises licensee (i) where such advertising materials or decorations cannot be seen from the street or roadway outside of the licensed establishment and (ii) if the retail establishment is located within an enclosed area with no street or roadway, where such advertising or decorations cannot be seen more than fifteen feet from the nearest window.

B. This section shall not restrict the regulation of advertising materials or decorations containing references to an alcoholic beverage brand or manufacturer, except the Board shall not regulate such references contained in works of art.

C. This section shall not restrict or deny the Board its authority pursuant to §§ 4.1-216, 4.1-317, and subdivisions 11, 12, 13, 16, and 21 of § 4.1-325, nor shall this section authorize any manufacturer, bottler, wholesaler or importer of any alcoholic beverages to sell, rent, lend, buy for, or give to any retailer any advertising materials or decorations under any circumstances otherwise prohibited by law.

1981, c. 574, § 4-69.2; 1993, c. 866.

All lawfully erected outdoor alcoholic beverage signs shall comply with the provisions of this subtitle, Board regulations, and Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Further, any outdoor alcoholic beverage directional sign located or to be located on highway rights-of-way shall also be governed by and comply with the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.

2012, cc. 326, 618.

The Board shall at least annually review the operations of each establishment holding a mixed beverage restaurant license and each person holding a caterer's license to determine whether during the preceding license year such licensee has met the food-beverage ratio required by § 4.1-206.3. If not met, the license granted to such licensee may be suspended or revoked. If the license is revoked, no new license may be granted to the licensee with respect to such establishment or catering business for at least one year from the date of the revocation. For the purposes of this section and § 4.1-206.3, "nonalcoholic beverage" shall not include any beverages, ice, water or other mixer served with an alcoholic beverage.

1968, c. 7, § 4-98.7; 1980, c. 490; 1981, c. 565; 1986, c. 374; 1990, c. 402; 1993, c. 866; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.

A. The Board shall make reports to the Governor as he may require covering the administration and enforcement of this subtitle. Additionally, the Board shall submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on or before December 15 each year, which shall contain:

1. A statement of the nature and amount of the business transacted by each government store during the year;

2. A statement of the assets and liabilities of the Board, including a statement of income and expenses and such other financial statements and matters as may be necessary to show the result of the operations of the Board for the year;

3. A statement showing the taxes collected under this subtitle during the year;

4. General information and remarks about the working of the alcoholic beverage control laws within the Commonwealth; and

5. Any other information requested by the Governor.

B. The Board shall maintain an accounting system in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and approved in accordance with § 2.2-803.

C. A regular postaudit shall be conducted of all accounts and transactions of the Board. An annual audit of a fiscal and compliance nature of the accounts and transactions of the Board shall be conducted by the Auditor of Public Accounts on or before October 1. The cost of the annual audit and postaudit examinations shall be borne by the Board. The Board may order such other audits as it deems necessary.

Code 1950, § 4-13; 1984, c. 734; 1993, c. 866; 2004, c. 650; 2005, c. 633.

A. All moneys collected by the Board shall be paid directly and promptly into the state treasury, or shall be deposited to the credit of the State Treasurer in a state depository, without any deductions on account of salaries, fees, costs, charges, expenses, refunds or claims of any description whatever, as required by § 2.2-1802.

All moneys so paid into the state treasury, less the net profits determined pursuant to subsection C, shall be set aside as and constitute an Enterprise Fund, subject to appropriation, for the payment of (i) the salaries and remuneration of the members, agents, and employees of the Board and (ii) all costs and expenses incurred in establishing and maintaining government stores and in the administration of the provisions of this subtitle, including the purchasing, building, leasing and operation of distilleries and the manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

B. The net profits derived under the provisions of this subtitle shall be transferred by the Comptroller to the general fund of the state treasury quarterly, within fifty days after the close of each quarter or as otherwise provided in the appropriation act. As allowed by the Governor, the Board may deduct from the net profits quarterly a sum for the creation of a reserve fund not exceeding the sum of $2.5 million in connection with the administration of this subtitle and to provide for the depreciation on the buildings, plants and equipment owned, held or operated by the Board.

C. The term "net profits" as used in this section means the total of all moneys collected by the Board less all costs, expenses and charges authorized by this section.

Code 1950, §§ 4-22, 4-23; 1960, c. 104; 1962, c. 385; 1964, c. 215; 1966, c. 431; 1968, c. 623; 1970, c. 727; 1972, cc. 138, 849; 1973, c. 349; 1974, c. 460; 1981, c. 514; 1982, c. 540; 1983, c. 427; 1984, c. 105; 1985, c. 222; 1993, c. 866.

When the moneys transferred quarterly or as otherwise provided in the appropriation act by the Comptroller to the general fund of the state treasury exceed the sum of $187,500, two-thirds of all moneys in excess of $187,500 shall be apportioned by the Comptroller and distributed quarterly within ten days following such transfer. Such payments shall be made by the Comptroller drawn on the Treasurer of Virginia to the several counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth, appropriated on the basis of the population of the respective counties, cities, and towns, according to the last preceding United States census. However, in the case of any town which came into existence in or about the year 1691 which is now the county seat of any county having a population of less than 45,000 but more than 40,000, and the boundaries of such town are not fixed, such portion of the moneys appropriated shall be based on an estimate of the population of such town made by the Center for Public Service. The judge of the circuit court of the county in which the town or city or greater part thereof seeking an increase under the provisions of this chapter is located may appoint two disinterested persons as commissioners, neither of whom shall reside in the county, city, or town which is the subject of the annexation proceedings. The commissioners so appointed shall determine the population of the territory annexed to the town or city as of the date of the last preceding United States census and report their findings to the court, and future distributions of the moneys allocated under the provisions of this chapter shall be made in accordance therewith. The Comptroller shall make no adjustments in his distribution of profits until the Secretary of the Commonwealth transmits to the Comptroller, pursuant to § 15.2-3209, a copy of the court order granting the petition of annexation.

Code 1950, § 4-22; 1960, c. 104; 1962, c. 385; 1964, c. 215; 1966, c. 431; 1968, c. 623; 1970, c. 727; 1972, c. 849; 1973, c. 349; 1974, c. 460; 1981, c. 514; 1982, c. 540; 1983, c. 427; 1984, c. 105; 1985, c. 222; 1993, c. 866.

Neither the Board nor its employees shall divulge any information regarding (i) financial reports or records required pursuant to § 4.1-114; (ii) the purchase orders and invoices for beer and wine filed with the Board by wholesale beer and wine licensees; or (iii) beer and wine taxes collected from, refunded to, or adjusted for any person. The provisions of § 58.1-3 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to beer and wine taxes collected pursuant to this subtitle and to purchase orders and invoices for beer and wine filed with the Board by wholesale beer and wine licensees.

Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the use or release of such information or documents by the Board to any governmental or law-enforcement agency, or when considering the granting, denial, revocation, or suspension of a license or permit, or the assessment of any penalty against a licensee or permittee.

Nor shall this section prohibit the Board or its employees from compiling and disseminating to any member of the public aggregate statistical information pertaining to (i) malt beverage excise tax collection as long as such information does not reveal or disclose excise tax collection from any identified licensee; (ii) the total quantities of wine sold or shipped into the Commonwealth by each out-of-state winery, distributor, or importer for resale in the Commonwealth by wholesale wine licensees collectively; (iii) the total amount of wine sales in the Commonwealth by wholesale wine licensees collectively; or (iv) the total amount of purchases or sales submitted by licensees as required pursuant to § 4.1-114, provided such information does not identify the licensee.

1988, c. 261, § 4-145; 1993, c. 866; 1994, c. 179.

A. Subject to the provisions of §§ 4.1-121 and 4.1-122, the Board may establish, maintain, and operate government stores for the sale of spirits, nonalcoholic spirit alternatives, wine produced by farm wineries, low alcohol beverage coolers produced by licensed distillers, vermouth, mixers, products used in connection with distilled spirits, including any garnish or garnishment applied to the rim of a glass of distilled spirits, as may be approved by the Board from time to time, and products licensed by the Virginia Tourism Corporation as specified in § 4.1-103 in such counties, cities, and towns considered advisable by the Board. The Board may discontinue any such store.

B. With respect to the sale of wine or cider produced by farm wineries, the Board may give preference to farm wineries that produce 2,500 cases or less of wine or cider per year.

C. The Board shall fix the wholesale and retail prices at which the various classes, varieties and brands of alcoholic beverages and other Board-approved products that are sold in government stores. Differences in the cost of operating stores, and market competition and conditions may be reflected in the sale price of alcoholic beverages sold at government stores. The Board may sell alcoholic beverages to federal instrumentalities (i) authorized and operating under the laws of the United States and regulations of the United States Department of Defense and (ii) located within the boundaries of federal enclaves or reservations over which the United States has acquired jurisdiction, at prices which may be greater or less than the wholesale price charged other authorized purchasers. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the Board to fix the retail price of alcoholic beverages sold at government stores, which retail price may include promotional, volume, or other discounts deemed appropriate by the Board.

D. Alcoholic beverages at government stores shall be sold by employees of the Authority who shall carry out the provisions of this subtitle and Board regulations governing the operation of government stores and the sale of alcoholic beverages, except that the Board may appoint the holder of a distiller's license or its officers and employees as agents of the Board for the sale of spirits and low alcohol beverage coolers, manufactured by or for, or blended by such licensee on the licensed premises, at government stores established by the Board (i) on the distiller's licensed premises or (ii) at the site of an event licensed by the Board and conducted for the purpose of featuring and educating the consuming public about spirits products.

Such agents shall sell the spirits and low alcohol beverage coolers in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle, Board regulations, and the terms of the agency agreement between the Authority and the licensed distiller. The Authority shall pay a licensed distiller making sales pursuant to an agreement authorized by this subsection a commission of not less than 20 percent of the retail price of the goods sold. If the licensed distiller makes application and meets certain requirements established by the Board, such agreement shall allow monthly revenue transfers from the licensed distiller to the Board to be submitted electronically and, notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 2.2-1802 and 4.1-116, to be limited to the amount due to the Board in applicable taxes and markups.

For the purposes of this subsection, "blended" means the receipt by a licensed distiller of deliveries and shipments of alcoholic beverages, other than wine and beer, in accordance with subdivision A 6 of § 4.1-201 to be (a) (1) additionally aged by the receiving distillery in order to increase the quality and flavor of such alcoholic beverages or (2) used in a low alcohol beverage cooler and (b) bottled by the receiving distillery.

E. No Class 1 neutral grain spirit or alcohol, as defined by federal regulations, that is without distinctive character, aroma, taste or color shall be sold in government stores at a proof greater than 151 except upon permits issued by the Board for industrial, commercial, culinary, or medical use.

F. All alcoholic beverages sold in government stores, except for tasting samples pursuant to subsection G sold in government stores established by the Board on a distiller's licensed premises, shall be in closed containers, sealed and affixed with labels prescribed by the Board.

G. No alcoholic beverages shall be consumed in a government store by any person unless it is part of an organized tasting event conducted by (i) an employee of a manufacturer of distilled spirits or farm winery or (ii) an authorized representative of a manufacturer of distilled spirits or farm winery with a permit issued by the Board pursuant to subdivision A 14 of § 4.1-212, at which the samples of alcoholic beverages provided to any consumer do not exceed the limits for spirits or wine set forth in subdivision A 5 of § 4.1-201.1. No sample may be consumed by any individual to whom alcoholic beverages may not lawfully be sold pursuant to § 4.1-304.

Notwithstanding the provision of this subsection to the contrary, an agent of the Board appointed pursuant to subsection D may give samples of spirits, beer, wine, or cider to persons to whom alcoholic beverages may be lawfully sold for on-premises or off premises consumption, provided that (i) the spirits, beer, wine, or cider samples are manufactured within the same licensed premises or on contiguous premises of such agent licensed as a distillery, brewery, or winery; (ii) no single sample shall exceed four ounces of beer, two ounces of wine or cider, or one-half ounce of spirits, unless served as a mixed beverage, in which case a single sample of spirits may contain up to one and one-half ounces of spirits; (iii) no more than 12 ounces of beer, five ounces of wine, or three ounces of spirits shall be given or sold to any person per day; and (iv) in the case of spirits samples, a method is used to track the consumption of each consumer. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit such agent from serving samples of spirits as part of a mixed beverage. Such mixed beverage samples may contain spirits or vermouth not manufactured on the licensed premises or on contiguous premises of the licensed distillery, provided that at least 75 percent of the alcohol used in such samples is manufactured on the licensed premises or on contiguous premises of the licensed distillery. An agent of the Board appointed pursuant to subsection D may keep on the licensed premises no more than 10 varieties of spirits or vermouth not manufactured on the licensed premises or on contiguous premises of the licensed distillery. Any spirits or vermouth used in such samples that are not manufactured on the licensed premises or on contiguous premises of the licensed distillery shall be purchased from the Board.

The Board shall establish guidelines governing tasting events conducted pursuant to this subsection.

Any case fee charged to a licensed distiller by the Board for moving spirits from the production and bailment area to the tasting area of a government store established by the Board on the distiller's licensed premises shall be waived if such spirits are moved by employees of the licensed distiller.

H. With respect to purchases by licensees at government stores, the Authority shall (i) accept in payment for any purchase or series of purchases cash, electronic fund transfer, credit or debit card, or check payable to the Authority, in the exact amount of any such purchase or series of purchases and (ii) provide notice to licensees on Board policies relating to the assignment of government stores from which licensees may purchase products and any procedure for the licensee to elect to make purchases from an alternative government store.

I. With respect to purchases by consumers at government stores, the Authority shall accept cash in payment for any purchase or series of purchases. The Board may adopt regulations which provide for accepting a credit card or debit card as payment. Such regulations may provide for the collection, where appropriate, of related fees, penalties, and service charges for the use of a credit card or debit card by any consumer.

J. Before the Authority implements any increase in the markup on distilled spirits or any change to the markup formula for distilled spirits pursuant to § 4.1-235 that would result in an increase in the retail price of distilled spirits sold to the public, the Authority shall (i) provide at least 45 days' public notice before such a price increase takes effect; (ii) provide the opportunity for submission of written comments regarding the proposed price increase; (iii) conduct a public meeting for the purpose of receiving verbal comment regarding the proposed price increase; and (iv) consider any written or verbal comments before implementing such a price increase.

Code 1950, § 4-15; 1958, c. 269; 1962, c. 453; 1970, c. 351; 1983, c. 267; 1984, c. 200; 1992, c. 782; 1993, cc. 252, 866; 1996, c. 558; 1999, c. 98; 2005, c. 651; 2006, c. 106; 2007, cc. 546, 726, 820; 2008, c. 609; 2009, c. 620; 2010, cc. 115, 170, 517; 2011, c. 713; 2012, c. 344; 2013, c. 476; 2014, cc. 437, 724; 2015, cc. 38, 62, 604, 730; 2016, cc. 21, 132, 141; 2017, cc. 75, 125, 155, 160; 2018, c. 734; 2019, cc. 37, 178, 466, 810, 811, 814; 2020, cc. 1017, 1113, 1114; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 281, 282, 288; 2022, c. 194; 2024, cc. 105, 159.

Within each government store, except for government stores established on a distiller's licensed premises pursuant to subsection D of § 4.1-119, the Authority shall post notice of the existence of a human trafficking hotline to alert possible witnesses or victims of human trafficking to the availability of a means to report crimes or gain assistance. The notice required by this section shall (i) be posted in a place readily visible and accessible to the public and (ii) meet the requirements specified in subsection C of § 40.1-11.3.

2019, c. 388.

A. Except as provided in subsection B, no sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages shall be made at any government store, nor shall any such store be kept open for the sale of alcoholic beverages:

1. On Sunday;

2. On Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day; or

3. During such other periods and on such other days as the Board may direct.

B. Certain government stores, as determined by the Board, may be open on Sunday for the sale of alcoholic beverages after 10:00 a.m.

Code 1950, § 4-19; 1972, c. 138; 1992, c. 129; 1993, c. 866; 2004, c. 1002; 2008, c. 134; 2012, c. 245; 2019, cc. 810, 811.

A. The qualified voters of any county, city, or town having a population of 1,000 or more may file a petition with the circuit court of the county or city, or of the county wherein the town or the greater part thereof is situated, asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether the sale by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority of alcoholic beverages, other than beer and wine not produced by farm wineries, should be prohibited within that jurisdiction. The petition shall be signed by qualified voters equal in number to at least 10 percent of the number registered in the jurisdiction on January 1 preceding its filing or by at least 100 qualified voters, whichever is greater. Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall order the election officials of the county, city, or town, on the date fixed in the order, to conduct a referendum on the question. The clerk of the circuit court shall publish notice of the referendum in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city, or town once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to the referendum.

The question on the ballot shall be:

"Shall the sale by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority of alcoholic beverages, other than beer and wine not produced by farm wineries, be prohibited in ................ (name of county, city, or town)?"

The referendum shall be ordered and held and the results certified as provided in § 24.2-684. Thereupon the court shall enter of record an order certified by the clerk of the court to be transmitted to the Board and to the governing body of the county, city, or town.

B. Once a referendum has been held, no other referendum on the same question shall be held in the county, city, or town within four years of the date of the prior referendum. However, a town shall not be prescribed from holding a referendum within such period although an election has been held in the county in which the town or a part thereof is located less than four years prior thereto.

Code 1950, § 4-45; 1954, c. 221; 1974, c. 399; 1975, c. 517; 1977, c. 683; 1980, cc. 541, 543; 1984, c. 200; 1993, c. 866; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2019, cc. 37, 178.

A. If in any referendum held under the provisions of § 4.1-121 in any county, city, or town a majority of the qualified voters vote "Yes" on the question, then on and after 60 days from the date on which the order of the court, setting forth the results of such referendum was entered of record, none of the alcoholic beverages voted against shall be sold in such county, city, or town except for delivery or shipment to persons outside of such county, city, or town authorized under this subtitle to acquire the alcoholic beverages for resale. This subsection shall not apply to common carriers of passengers by train, boat or airplane selling wine and beer to bona fide passengers.

B. If in any such referendum held in any county, city, or town in which a majority of the qualified voters have previously voted to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages by the Board and in a subsequent election a majority of the voters of the county, city, or town vote "No" on the question stated in § 4.1-121, then such alcoholic beverages may, in accordance with this subtitle, be sold within the county, city, or town on and after 60 days from the day on which the order of the court setting forth the results of such election is entered of record.

C. If any referendum is held under the provisions of § 4.1-124 in any county, town, or supervisor's election district of a county and the majority of voters voting in such referendum voted "Yes," the sale by the Board of alcoholic beverages, other than beer and wine not produced by farm wineries, shall be prohibited in such county, town, or supervisor's election district of a county. Notwithstanding this section and any referendum held under § 4.1-121 to the contrary, persons licensed to sell mixed beverages in such county, town, or supervisor's election district of a county shall also be permitted to sell wine and beer for on-premises consumption, provided the appropriate license fees are paid for the privilege.

D. The provisions of this section shall not prevent in any county, city, or town, the sale and delivery or shipment of alcoholic beverages specified in § 4.1-200 to and by persons therein authorized to sell alcoholic beverages, nor prevent the delivery or shipment of alcoholic beverages under Board regulations into any county, city, or town, except as otherwise prohibited by this subtitle.

E. For the purpose of this section, when any referendum is held in any town, separate and apart from the county in which such town or a part thereof is located, such town shall be treated as being separate and apart from such county.

Code 1950, § 4-46; 1954, c. 221; 1974, c. 460; 1975, c. 482; 1977, c. 683; 1980, cc. 541, 543; 1982, cc. 66, 204; 1984, c. 200; 1991, c. 690; 1993, c. 866; 2019, cc. 37, 178.

A. Either the qualified voters or the governing body of any county, city, town, or supervisor's election district of a county may file a petition with the circuit court of the county or city or of the county wherein the town or the greater part thereof is situated asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether the sale of beer and wine on Sunday should be permitted within that jurisdiction. The petition of voters shall be signed by qualified voters equal in number to at least ten percent of the number registered in the jurisdiction on January 1 preceding its filing or at least 100 qualified voters, whichever is greater. Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall order the election officials of the county, city, or town, on the date fixed in the order, to conduct a referendum on the question. The clerk of the circuit court shall publish notice of the referendum in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, city, or town once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to the referendum.

The question on the ballot shall be:

"Shall the sale of wine and beer between the hours of twelve o'clock p.m. on each Saturday and six o'clock a.m. on each Monday be permitted in _______________ (name of county, city, town, or supervisor's election district of the county)?"

The referendum shall be ordered and held and the results certified as provided in § 24.2-684. Thereupon the court shall enter of record an order certified by the clerk of the court to be transmitted to the Board and to the governing body of the county, city, or town.

Notwithstanding an ordinance adopted pursuant to § 4.1-129, an affirmative majority vote on the question shall be binding on the governing body of the county, city, or town, and the governing body shall take all actions required of it to legalize such Sunday sales.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A or § 4.1-129, where property that constitutes a farm winery lies within, or abuts, the boundaries of Floyd and Patrick Counties, the retail sale of wine by the farm winery licensee in the county that restricts the sale of wine and beer shall be allowed at one fixed location on a parcel of land that contains all or part of the licensee's producing vineyard and the licensee's vinification facilities.

The Board may refuse to allow such licensee the exercise of his retail sales privilege in the county restricting the Sunday sale of wine and beer if the Board determines, after giving the licensee notice and a hearing, that (i) the owner of the farm winery had actual knowledge that the vinification facilities and all or part of the producing vineyard were going to be located in the county restricting the sale of wine and beer prior to construction of the vinification facilities or (ii) the primary business purpose of the farm winery licensee is to engage in the retail sale of wine in such county rather than the business of a farm winery.

Nothing in this subsection shall apply to a farm winery licensee that has a retail establishment for the sale of its wine in the county adjoining the county that restricts the Sunday sale of wine and beer if the retail establishment is within one-half mile of the farm winery's vinification facilities.

1979, c. 621, § 4-96.3; 1980, c. 543; 1993, c. 866; 2001, cc. 594, 783; 2007, c. 813.

A. The provisions of this subtitle relating to the sale of mixed beverages shall be effective in any town, county, or supervisor's election district of a county unless a majority of the voters voting in a referendum vote "Yes" on the question of whether the sale of mixed alcoholic beverages by restaurants licensed under this subtitle should be prohibited. The qualified voters of a town, county, or supervisor's election district of a county may file a petition with the circuit court of the county asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether the sale of mixed beverages by restaurants licensed by the Board should be prohibited within that jurisdiction. The petition shall be signed by qualified voters equal in number to at least 10 percent of the number registered in the town, county, or supervisor's election district on January 1 preceding its filing or at least 100 qualified voters, whichever is greater.

Petition requirements for any county shall be based on the number of registered voters in the county, including the number of registered voters in any town having a population in excess of 1,000 located within such county. Upon the filing of a petition, and under no other circumstances, the court shall order the election officials of the county to conduct a referendum on the question.

The clerk of the circuit court of the county shall publish notice of the referendum in a newspaper of general circulation in the town, county, or supervisor's election district once a week for three consecutive weeks prior to the referendum.

The question on the ballot shall be:

"Shall the sale of mixed alcoholic beverages by restaurants licensed by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority be prohibited in __________ (name of town, county, or supervisor's election district of county)?"

The referendum shall be ordered and held and the results certified as provided in Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2. Thereupon the court shall enter of record an order certified by the clerk of the court to be transmitted to the Board and to the governing body of the town or county. Mixed beverages prohibited from sale by such referendum shall not be sold by restaurants within the town, county, or supervisor's election district of a county on or after 30 days following the entry of the order if a majority of the voters voting in the referendum have voted "Yes."

The provisions of this section shall be applicable to towns having a population in excess of 1,000 to the same extent and subject to the same conditions and limitations as are otherwise applicable to counties under this section. Such towns shall be treated as separate local option units, and only residents of any such town shall be eligible to vote in any referendum held pursuant to this section for any such town. Residents of towns having a population in excess of 1,000, however, shall also be eligible to vote in any referendum held pursuant to this section for any county in which the town is located.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the sale of mixed beverages by restaurants shall be prohibited in any town created as a result of a city-to-town reversion pursuant to Chapter 41 (§ 15.2-4100 et seq.) of Title 15.2 if a referendum on the question of whether the sale of mixed beverages by restaurants licensed under this subtitle should be prohibited was previously held in the former city and a majority of the voters voting in such referendum voted "Yes."

B. Once a referendum has been held, no other referendum on the same question shall be held in the town, county, or supervisor's election district of a county for a period of 23 months.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, the sale of mixed beverages shall be allowed on property dedicated for industrial or commercial development and controlled through the provision of public utilities and covenanting of the land by any multijurisdictional industrial development authority, as set forth under Chapter 49 (§ 15.2-4900 et seq.) of Title 15.2, provided that (i) such authority operates under a partnership agreement between three or more counties, cities, or towns and such jurisdictions participate administratively and financially in the authority and (ii) the sale of mixed beverages is permitted in one of the member counties, cities, towns, or a supervisor's election district of one of the counties and that the governing board of the authority authorizes an establishment located within the confines of such property to apply to the Board for such license. The appropriate license fees shall be paid for this privilege.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section and subsection C of § 4.1-122, the sale of mixed beverages by licensees, and the sale of alcoholic beverages other than beer and wine not produced by farm wineries by the Board, shall be allowed in any city in the Commonwealth.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, the Board may grant a mixed beverage restaurant license to a restaurant located on the premises of and operated by a private club exclusively for its members and their guests, subject to the qualifications and restrictions on the issuance of such license imposed by § 4.1-206.3. However, no license authorized by this subsection shall be granted if the private club restricts its membership on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, or sex.

1968, c. 7, §§ 4-98.12, 4-98.13; 1975, c. 517; 1979, c. 199; 1982, c. 31; 1985, c. 551; 1986, c. 70; 1988, c. 156; 1991, c. 690; 1993, c. 866; 1995, c. 177; 1997, c. 126; 2011, c. 560; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2019, cc. 37, 178; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.

The provisions of § 4.1-124 shall be applicable mutatis mutandis to any town within the Commonwealth which is entirely surrounded by a base of the United States armed forces.

1968, c. 761, § 4-98.12:1; 1993, c. 866.

Repealed by Acts 2019, cc. 37 and 178, cl. 4, effective July 1, 2020.

The regularity or legality of any referendum held pursuant to §§ 4.1-121, 4.1-123 and 4.1-124 shall be subject to the inquiry, determination, and judgment of the circuit court which ordered the referendum. The court shall proceed upon complaint of fifteen or more qualified voters of the county, city, or town, filed within thirty days after the date the results of the referendum are certified and setting out fully the grounds of contest. The complaint and the proceedings shall conform as nearly as practicable to the provisions of § 15.2-1654, and the judgment of the court entered of record shall be a final determination of the regularity and legality of the referendum.

Code 1950, § 4-47; 1993, c. 866.

A. No county, city, or town shall, except as provided in § 4.1-205 or 4.1-129, adopt any ordinance or resolution which regulates or prohibits the manufacture, bottling, possession, sale, wholesale distribution, handling, transportation, drinking, use, advertising or dispensing of alcoholic beverages in the Commonwealth. Nor shall any county, city, or town adopt an ordinance or resolution that prohibits or regulates the storage, warehousing, and wholesaling of wine in accordance with Title 4.1, regulations of the Board, and federal law at a licensed farm winery.

No provision of law, general or special, shall be construed to authorize any county, city or town to adopt any ordinance or resolution that imposes a sales or excise tax on alcoholic beverages, other than the taxes authorized by § 58.1-605, 58.1-3833 or 58.1-3840. The foregoing limitation shall not affect the authority of any county, city or town to impose a license or privilege tax or fee on a business engaged in whole or in part in the sale of alcoholic beverages if the license or privilege tax or fee (i) is based on an annual or per event flat fee specifically authorized by general law or (ii) is an annual license or privilege tax specifically authorized by general law, which includes alcoholic beverages in its taxable measure and treats alcoholic beverages the same as if they were nonalcoholic beverages.

B. However, the governing body of any county, city, or town may adopt an ordinance that (i) prohibits the acts described in subsection A of § 4.1-308 subject to the provisions of subsections B, E, and F of § 4.1-308, or the acts described in § 4.1-309, and may provide a penalty for violation thereof and (ii) subject to subsection C of § 4.1-308, regulates or prohibits the possession of opened alcoholic beverage containers in its local public parks, playgrounds, public streets, and any sidewalk adjoining any public street.

C. Except as provided in this section, all local acts, including charter provisions and ordinances of cities and towns, inconsistent with any of the provisions of this subtitle, are repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

Code 1950, § 4-98; 1983, c. 340; 1993, c. 866; 2000, cc. 381, 450; 2007, cc. 140, 454; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2017, cc. 157, 492; 2024, c. 492.

The governing body of each county may adopt ordinances effective in that portion of such county not embraced within the corporate limits of any incorporated town, and the governing body of each city and town may adopt ordinances effective in such city or town, prohibiting the sale of wine or beer, or both, between the hours of twelve o'clock p.m. on each Saturday and six o'clock a.m. on each Monday, or fixing hours within such period during which wine or beer, or both, may be sold. Such governing bodies shall provide for fines and other penalties for violations of any such ordinances which shall be enforced as if the violations were Class 1 misdemeanors, with a right of appeal pursuant to § 16.1-106. Such ordinances shall not affect the sale of wine and beer on common carriers of passengers by train, boat, or airplane.

A copy of any ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall be certified by the clerk of the governing body adopting it and transmitted to the Board.

On and after the effective date of any ordinance adopted pursuant to this section, no retail licensee authorized to sell wine or beer, or both, shall sell or permit the drinking of wine or beer on the premises of such licensee during the hours limited by the ordinance.

Code 1950, § 4-97; 1993, c. 866.

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 4.1-311, alcoholic beverages not under United States customs bonds or internal revenue bonds may be transported into and stored in the Commonwealth in warehouses which have been approved by the Board for that purpose.

The Board may refuse to approve any warehouse as a place where alcoholic beverages may be stored if it has reasonable cause to believe that the owner or operator of the warehouse is a person to whom or the place sought to be approved is one for which the Board may refuse to grant a license under the provisions of § 4.1-222, which shall apply mutatis mutandis, unless the provisions of such section are inapplicable.

The Board may disapprove any warehouse which has been approved as a place where alcoholic beverages may be stored if it has reasonable cause to believe that a ground exists for which the Board may suspend or revoke a license under the provisions of § 4.1-225, which shall apply mutatis mutandis, unless the provisions of such section are inapplicable.

B. Alcoholic beverages stored in warehouses in the Commonwealth pursuant to this section shall be released only on permits issued by the Board for delivery to the Board or to persons entitled to receive them within or outside the Commonwealth.

1962, c. 200, § 4-84.1; 1993, c. 866; 2022, c. 201.

A. Alcoholic beverages may be imported into the Commonwealth under United States customs bonds and be held in the Commonwealth in United States customs bonded warehouses. Alcoholic beverages may be removed from any such warehouse, wherever situated, to such a warehouse located in the Commonwealth and be held in the Commonwealth.

B. Alcoholic beverages so imported or removed to such warehouses in the Commonwealth shall be released from customs bonds in the Commonwealth only (i) for delivery to the Board, or to licensees entitled to receive them in the Commonwealth, as provided in § 4.1-311; (ii) to boats engaged in foreign trade, trade between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States, trade between the United States and any of its possessions outside of the several states and the District of Columbia, or for shipment outside of the Commonwealth; or (iii) in accordance with subsection C for the official or personal use of persons who are on duty in the United States as members of the armed forces of any foreign country, or their immediate family, authorized by federal laws and regulations to receive imported alcoholic beverages free of customs duties and internal revenue taxes.

C. Persons operating United States customs bonded warehouses and licensed as wholesalers or retailers may make sales and deliveries, in quantities determined by the Board, of alcoholic beverages held in customs bond to foreign armed forces personnel as provided in subsection B. Such sales may be made only on permits issued by the Board which shall cover the transportation of such imported alcoholic beverages, either by the operator of a customs bonded warehouse or purchaser from the operator, from such customs bonded warehouse to the place of duty or residence of such authorized persons.

Code 1950, § 4-85; 1958, c. 394; 1960, c. 101; 1984, c. 128; 1993, c. 866; 2022, c. 201.

A. Alcoholic beverages may be transported into the Commonwealth under United States internal revenue bonds and be held in the Commonwealth in United States internal revenue bonded warehouses. Alcoholic beverages may be removed from any such warehouse, wherever situated, to such a warehouse located in the Commonwealth and be held in the Commonwealth.

B. Alcoholic beverages may be transported within the Commonwealth under United States internal revenue bonds and be held in United States internal revenue bonded warehouses. Alcoholic beverages may be removed from any such warehouse and transported to a winery or farm winery licensee in accordance with § 4.1-206.1.

C. Alcoholic beverages so transported or removed to such warehouses in the Commonwealth shall be released from internal revenue bonds in the Commonwealth only on permits issued by the Board for delivery to (i) boats engaged in foreign trade, trade between the Atlantic and Pacific ports of the United States, or trade between the United States and any of its possessions outside of the several states and the District of Columbia; (ii) installations of the United States Department of Defense; or (iii) holders of permits issued in accordance with subdivision A 13 of § 4.1-212.

Code 1950, § 4-86; 1954, c. 21; 1993, c. 866; 2003, c. 564; 2006, c. 826; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.

In the event that the Board adopts any regulation or policy providing for bailment warehousing operations or otherwise requiring that a vendor of alcoholic beverages retain ownership or legal title to beverages purchased or ordered for purchase by the Board for any period after the Board or its agent comes into physical possession of such beverages, the Board shall not impose upon any vendor required to provide stock under such bailment system any:

1. Overstock fee or other charge based or premised in whole or in part upon the fact that a vendor has delivered to any warehouse, store or other facility owned or operated by the Board or its agent bailed stock in excess of any maximum inventory level established or suggested by the Board.

2. Space reservation fee or other charge based or premised in whole or in part upon the fact that a vendor has delivered to any warehouse, store or other facility owned or operated by the Board or its agent bailed stock in a quantity less than any minimum inventory level established or suggested by the Board.

3. Fee or charge for the movement of bailed stock within a bailment warehouse or other bailment facility, or from a bailment warehouse or other bailment facility to a work area in proximity to such warehouse or facility, not at the request of the vendor holding legal title to such stock for the purpose of inspecting such stock.

4. Fee or charge for conducting a physical inventory of bailed stock at the request of the vendor holding legal title to such stock, provided that no more than two such requests have been made within the current fiscal year with respect to the particular item or brand of stock that is the subject of the request.

5. Fee or charge for withdrawal of bailed stock by the vendor who retains legal title to such stock.

6. Fee or charge greater than fifteen dollars per hour for the placement of stock on pallets or other appurtenances designed to facilitate the movement of stock within the warehouse or other facility.

1996, c. 692.