Concerning the wholesale price of alcoholic liquor offered for sale by the department of revenue

Under current law, the price of alcoholic liquor sold by the department of revenue (department) to class “E” retail alcohol licensees (licensees) consists of, among other things, the manufacturer’s price and a markup of up to 50 percent of the wholesale price paid by the department for the alcoholic liquor. The department is the sole wholesaler of alcoholic liquor sold to licensees located in this state. Licensees are authorized to sell liquor, wine, and beer in original unopened containers at retail to patrons for consumption off the licensed premises. Licensees may also sell alcoholic liquor, high alcoholic content beer, and limited quantities of beer and wine at wholesale to other retail alcohol licensees. This bill provides that if the minimum unit price of the alcoholic liquor is higher than the manufacturer’s price or, for purposes of the 50 percent markup, higher than the wholesale price paid by the department, the minimum unit price is used to calculate the price of the alcoholic liquor sold by the department. The minimum unit price is an amount equal to 50 cents per 18 milliliters of alcohol in the package of alcoholic liquor, as determined by the department.