NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

CHAPTER 680

SENATE BILL 403

AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE POSSESSION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FOR CULINARY PURPOSES.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  Chapter 18A of the North Carolina General Statutes is amended by adding a new section as follows:

"§ 18A-31.1.  Permits to keep and use alcoholic beverages for culinary purposes. — (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of G.S. 18A-30, the State ABC Board may grant to restaurants holding a Grade A rating from the Commissioner for Health Services, a permit which will enable them to keep in the kitchen of the restaurant, alcoholic beverages for culinary purposes only, provided each such restaurant regularly serves foods in which such beverages are used, and provided that these alcoholic beverages are obtained from a lawful source within the State. The State ABC Board may adopt, amend or repeal such regulations as it may deem necessary to carry out the purpose of this section as provided in G.S. 18A-43, and shall require the permittee to retain all receipts and records of alcoholic beverages purchased with the quantities purchased not exceeding a reasonable amount for culinary purpose intended herein. No more than three gallons of alcoholic beverages may be possessed by any restaurant, and it shall be kept in the kitchen or storage area. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to permit the sale of Irish Coffee or any other beverage containing any spirituous liquor whatsoever.

(b)        Application for a culinary permit shall be accompanied with a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) which shall not be refundable in case a permit is refused, suspended, or revoked. No additional fees or licenses shall be collected by any county or municipality under this section, and the fees collected by the State ABC Board shall be deposited with the State Treasurer of North Carolina. The annual renewal fee for such permit shall be twenty-five percent (25%) of the original permit."

Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 19th day of June, 1975.