WEST virginia legislature

2022 regular session

Originating

Senate Bill 727

By Senators Azinger, Beach, Caputo, Grady, Karnes, Lindsay, Maynard, Phillips, Romano, Rucker, Smith, Stover, Takubo, Weld, Woelfel, Woodrum, and Trump

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported on February 28, 2022]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §60-3-26, relating to directing the Commissioner of the  Alcoholic Beverage Control Administration to discontinue the state’s acquisition of alcoholic liquors manufactured in the Russian Federation or by an person or entity located therein; establishing duration of the ban; authorizing the commissioner, at the Governor’s direction,  to sell or auction alcoholic liquors made in the Russian Federation or under the authority of a business located within the federation with the proceeds going to charitable organizations assisting the people of Ukraine.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 3. SALES BY COMMISSIONER.

§60-3-26. Sale of certain liquors prohibited.

(a) Upon the effective date of this section, the commissioner is hereby directed to divest the state of all stocks of alcoholic liquors in the commissioner’s possession manufactured in the Russian Federation, or by any person or entity located therein, and to cease purchasing such products during the time this section is in effect.

(b) The commissioner, at the direction of the Governor, is hereby authorized to auction or sell at a public event all stocks of alcohol liquors in the commissioner’s possession which were either manufactured in the Russian Federation or by a person or entity located therein.

(c) The state’s proceeds from the sale authorized by subsection (b) of this section shall be paid to a licensed, recognized charitable organization or organizations engaged in assisting the people of Ukraine.

(d) The provisions of this section shall expire three years from the effective date of the section or until the Governor lifts the ban established in subsection (a) of this section.