C. To churches or to the pastor of any church for sacramental purposes or similar religious rites.

Sec. 61. 28-A MRSA §2076, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 373, §156, is further amended to read:

1. Delivery of liquor. Except for a licensee or with the bureau's written permission, no a person may not knowingly transport to or cause to be delivered to any person other than the alcohol bureau a licensee any spirits not purchased from a state liquor store or the alcohol bureau.

Sec. 62. 28-A MRSA §2229, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 373, §162, is further amended to read:

2. Sale of forfeited liquor by alcohol bureau. Except as provided in paragraph A, the alcohol bureau shall sell forfeited liquor in the state to liquor stores throughout the State.

A. If any liquor is determined by the court to be unfit or unsatisfactory for consumption or retail sale, the court may order the liquor to be destroyed by any officer competent to serve the process on which it was forfeited. The officer shall make the return accordingly to the court.

(1) The liquor must be destroyed by pouring it upon the ground or into a public sewer.

Sec. 63. 28-A MRSA §2230, sub-§2, ¶B, as amended by PL 1997, c. 373, §163, is further amended to read:

B. Secure the liquor for a period of 30 days, after which time the agency shall transfer the liquor to the bureau. The bureau shall dispose of any malt liquor or wine and shall transfer any spirits to the alcohol bureau for sale at state liquor stores or disposal.

Sec. 64. Proposal for orderly withdrawal of existing liquor stores. The Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations shall submit a proposal for the orderly withdrawal of existing state and agency liquor stores, either by closing or transfer, effective no later than January 31, 2001. The proposal and any necessary legislation must be submitted by January 31, 2000 to the Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans' Affairs. This section takes effect November 1, 1999.