SB564

Senate Bill 564 proposes to amend Arkansas alcoholic beverage laws by increasing the maximum allowable alcohol content for beer from 5% to 10% by weight. The bill also formally integrates 'malt beverages' into the legal definition of 'beer' and adjusts various statutory references to ensure consistency with the new 10% limit. These changes apply to definitions across multiple sections of the Arkansas Code, including those governing microbrewery-restaurants, the Arkansas Small Brewery Act, tax collection, and local option elections. The legislation is intended to modernize the legal classification of these beverages within the state. By updating these definitions, the bill alters the regulatory framework for the manufacturing, sale, and permitting of these products. It does not introduce new taxes but updates existing tax collection structures to reflect the redefined alcohol content threshold for beer.