The price of alcohol sold at Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board stores may be going up after both houses of the state Legislature passed a bill changing the general sales tax rate at the establishments.
SB309 makes the additional sales tax rate at alcohol sold at ABC stores equal to the combined county and municipal general sales tax rate where the purchase is made.
The additional sales tax rate is currently 2 percent at ABC stores. The bill’s sponsors and backers said the legislation makes it easier for independently owned liquor stores to compete with ABC stores.
SB309 passed the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday by a vote of 85-8 with four abstentions.
The passed the Alabama Senate by a vote of 29-1 on April 25.
Gov. Kay Ivey’s office could not immediately be reached for comment on whether she intends to sign the legislation, which was sent to her desk on Thursday.
