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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill Authorizes Retail Liquor Licensees to Wholesale Low-Proof Alcoholic Drinks to Class A and B Retailers
Last action · February 21, 2026: To FinanceSponsor: Jack Woodrum
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What This Bill Proposed
Retail liquor licensees in West Virginia are newly authorized to act as wholesalers of ready-to-drink, low-proof distilled alcohol products to for direct sale to consumers. The measure establishes a maximum wholesale markup of 22 percent, imposes separate annual non-refundable license fees of $250 for wholesaling and for delivery services, and sets a minimum order threshold of 25 cases for delivery eligibility.
Licensed retail liquor stores gain a new revenue channel to supply low-proof canned cocktails and similar beverages to restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, subject to a $250 annual wholesale license fee and a 22 percent markup cap.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Retail liquor licensees
Retail liquor licensees gain the option to act as wholesalers and deliver low-proof alcohol products to Class A and Class B retailers, subject to $250 annual license fees and a 22 percent markup cap.
Class A and Class B retailers
Class A and Class B retailers may purchase ready-to-drink low-proof distilled alcohol products at wholesale directly from retail liquor licensees.
Key Facts
- Retail liquor licensees are authorized to act as wholesalers of ready-to-drink, low-proof distilled alcohol products to Class A and Class B retailers.
- The maximum wholesale markup for sales of ready-to-drink low-proof distilled alcohol products to Class A and Class B retailers is capped at 22 percent.
- Retail liquor licensees may opt to provide delivery services to Class A and Class B retailers for orders of 25 or more cases.
- An annual non-refundable, non-prorated license fee of $250 is established for retail liquor licensees engaging in wholesale distribution of these products.
Show all 7 facts
- An additional annual non-refundable, non-prorated license fee of $250 is established for retail liquor licensees opting to provide delivery services for orders of 25 or more cases.
- Ready-to-drink low-proof distilled alcohol products are defined as beverages containing between 0.5 percent and 15.5 percent alcohol by volume in containers not exceeding 16 fluid ounces.
- The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner is authorized to propose rules for legislative approval to implement the new article.
Frequently Asked Questions
What products are covered under this wholesale authorization?
How much is the license fee for wholesaling these products?
What is the minimum order requirement for delivery services?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in Senate committee.
Procedural history
4 actions- Feb 21, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Finance
- Feb 21, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Feb 21, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Finance
- Feb 21, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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