§455. Liquor for agency liquor stores

Agency liquor stores must buy their liquor from the alcohol bureau under section 606.

1.__Monthly discounts.__The alcohol bureau shall establish monthly discounts for all agency stores.__The issuance of an agency liquor store license and the operation of agency liquor stores licensed pursuant to this Part are governed by this chapter.

Sec. SS-4. Closure of 13 state liquor stores. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations is directed to implement the closure of 13 state liquor stores commencing on the effective date of this Act and completed by November 30, 2003 and replace the state liquor stores with agency liquor stores in accordance with the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 28-A, section 453.

PART TT

Sec. TT-1. 28-A MRSA §83, sub-§§1 and 2, as amended by PL 1999, c. 535, §4, are further amended to read:

1. Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations; rules. The Until the effective date of the privatization of the entire wholesale business authorized by section 88, the alcohol bureau shall manage the sale, distribution and merchandising of spirits and fortified wine through state liquor stores, agency liquor stores and licensees. The alcohol bureau may establish rules and procedures for the administration of the state liquor laws under its jurisdiction. The rules adopted under this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A 2-A. The day-to-day activities of the alcohol bureau are under the supervision of the Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services and the director of the alcohol bureau.

2. Purchase. The Until the effective date of the privatization of the wholesale business authorized by section 88, the alcohol bureau may buy and have in its possession spirits and fortified wine for sale to the public. The alcohol bureau shall buy spirits directly and not through the State Purchasing Agent.