HB1760

House Bill 1760 repeals existing Arkansas laws that mandated residency requirements for individuals, partners, and corporate officers to obtain or hold a wholesale liquor permit. The bill specifically repeals Arkansas Code § 3-4-606 and § 3-4-607(j), which required applicants to be bona fide residents of Arkansas for at least five years. The legislation includes an emergency clause, citing that these residency requirements are likely unconstitutional under recent United States Supreme Court rulings regarding interstate commerce. By removing these mandates, the bill allows non-residents and out-of-state entities to qualify for liquor wholesale licenses in Arkansas. The act is intended to take effect immediately upon approval to address potential constitutional infringements.