Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §1651, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 24, Pt. L, §5, is further amended to read:

1. State liquor tax. Except as provided in subsection 2, the commission shall determine and set the list price at which to sell all spirits and fortified wine that will produce an aggregate state liquor tax sufficient to pay all liquor-related expenses of the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations and to return to the General Fund in fiscal year 1998- 99 an amount equal to an additional $3,000,000 above accepted revenue estimates for fiscal year 1998-99 an amount substantially equal to the amount of state liquor tax collected in the previous fiscal year. The accepted revenue estimates are those first presented by the Governor during the First Regular Session of the 118th Legislature. With the exception of the discount agency liquor store stores in Kittery and Calais, list prices must be uniform statewide.

C. The commission shall add any cost to the State related to handling containers returned for refund pursuant to Title 32, section 1863-A to the established price without markup.

SUMMARY

This bill amends the method for setting the list price for spirits and fortified wine.