K.S.A. Chapter 41
INTOXICATING LIQUORS AND BEVERAGES
Article 1.--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Last amended July 1, 2023
41-101 Citation of act.
41-102 Definitions.
41-104 Acts with regard to alcoholic liquor prohibited unless allowed by statute; exceptions.
41-105 Act inapplicable in certain cases.
41-106 Violations of law; copy of citation.
41-107 Compliance checks or sting operations; notice of compliance.
41-108 Construction of act in case of invalidity of any provision.
This act may be cited as the "Kansas liquor control act."
History: L. 1949, ch. 242, § 1; March 9.
As used in this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(a) "Alcohol" means the product of distillation of any fermented liquid, whether rectified or diluted, whatever its origin, and includes synthetic ethyl alcohol but does not include denatured alcohol or wood alcohol.
(b) "Alcoholic candy" means:
(1) For purposes of manufacturing, any candy or other confectionery product with an alcohol content greater than 0.5% alcohol by volume; and
(2) for purposes of sale at retail, any candy or other confectionery product with an alcohol content greater than 1% alcohol by volume.
(c) "Alcoholic liquor" means alcohol, spirits, wine, beer, alcoholic candy and every liquid or solid, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer and capable of being consumed by a human being, but shall not include any cereal malt beverage.
(d) "Beer" means a beverage, containing more than 3.2% alcohol by weight, obtained by alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or concoction of barley, or other grain, malt and hops in water and includes beer, ale, stout, lager beer, porter and similar beverages having such alcoholic content.
(e) "Caterer" means the same as defined by K.S.A. 41-2601, and amendments thereto.
(f) "Cereal malt beverage" means the same as defined by K.S.A. 41-2701, and amendments thereto.
(g) "Club" means the same as defined by K.S.A. 41-2601, and amendments thereto.
(h) "Director" means the director of alcoholic beverage control of the department of revenue.
(i) "Distributor" means the person importing or causing to be imported into the state, or purchasing or causing to be purchased within the state, alcoholic liquor for sale or resale to retailers licensed under this act or cereal malt beverage for sale or resale to retailers licensed under K.S.A. 41-2702, and amendments thereto.
(j) "Domestic beer" means beer which contains not more than 10% alcohol by weight and which is manufactured in this state.
(k) "Domestic fortified wine" means wine which contains more than 16%, but not more than 20% alcohol by volume and which is manufactured in this state without rectification.
(l) "Domestic table wine" means wine which contains not more than 16% alcohol by volume and which is manufactured without rectification or fortification in this state.
(m) "Drinking establishment" means the same as defined by K.S.A. 41-2601, and amendments thereto.
(n) "Farm winery" means a winery licensed by the director to manufacture, store and sell domestic table wine and domestic fortified wine.
(o) "Fulfillment house" means any location or facility for any in state or out-of-state entity that handles logistics, including warehousing, packaging, order fulfillment or shipping services on behalf of the holder of a special order shipping license issued pursuant to K.S.A. 41-350, and amendments thereto.
(p) ‘‘Hard cider’’ means any alcoholic beverage that:
(1) Contains less than 8.5% alcohol by volume;
(2) has a carbonation level that does not exceed 6.4 grams per liter; and
(3) is obtained by the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe apples or pears, including such beverages containing sugar added for the purpose of correcting natural deficiencies.
(q) "Manufacture" means to distill, rectify, ferment, brew, make, mix, concoct, process, blend, bottle or fill an original package with any alcoholic liquor, beer or cereal malt beverage.
(r) (1) "Manufacturer" means every brewer, fermenter, distiller, rectifier, wine maker, blender, processor, bottler or person who fills or refills an original package and others engaged in brewing, fermenting, distilling, rectifying or bottling alcoholic liquor, beer or cereal malt beverage.
(2) "Manufacturer" does not include a microbrewery or a farm winery.
(s) "Microbrewery" means a brewery licensed by the director to manufacture, store and sell domestic beer.
(t) "Microdistillery" means a facility which produces spirits from any source or substance that is licensed by the director to manufacture, store and sell spirits.
(u) "Minor" means any person under 21 years of age.
(v) "Nonbeverage user" means any manufacturer of any of the products set forth and described in K.S.A. 41-501, and amendments thereto, when the products contain alcohol or wine, and all laboratories using alcohol for nonbeverage purposes.
(w) "Original package" means any bottle, flask, jug, can, cask, barrel, keg, hogshead or other receptacle or container whatsoever, used, corked or capped, sealed and labeled by the manufacturer of alcoholic liquor, to contain and to convey any alcoholic liquor. Original container does not include a sleeve.
(x) "Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, trust or association.
(y) "Powdered alcohol" means alcohol that is prepared in a powdered or crystal form for either direct use or for reconstitution in a nonalcoholic liquid.
(z) "Primary American source of supply" means the manufacturer, the owner of alcoholic liquor at the time it becomes a marketable product or the manufacturer's or owner's exclusive agent who, if the alcoholic liquor cannot be secured directly from such manufacturer or owner by American wholesalers, is the source closest to such manufacturer or owner in the channel of commerce from which the product can be secured by American wholesalers.
(aa) (1) "Retailer" means a person who is licensed under the Kansas liquor control act and sells at retail, or offers for sale at retail, alcoholic liquors or cereal malt beverages.
(2) "Retailer" does not include a microbrewery or a farm winery.
(bb) "Sale" means any transfer, exchange or barter in any manner or by any means whatsoever for a consideration and includes all sales made by any person, whether principal, proprietor, agent, servant or employee.
(cc) "Salesperson" means any natural person who:
(1) Procures or seeks to procure an order, bargain, contract or agreement for the sale of alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage; or
(2) is engaged in promoting the sale of alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage, or in promoting the business of any person, firm or corporation engaged in the manufacturing and selling of alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage, whether the seller resides within the state of Kansas and sells to licensed buyers within the state of Kansas, or whether the seller resides without the state of Kansas and sells tolicensed buyers within the state of Kansas.
(dd) "Sample" means a serving of alcoholic liquor that contains not more than: (1) One-half ounce of distilled spirits; (2) one ounce of wine; or (3) two ounces of beer or cereal malt beverage. A sample of a mixed alcoholic beverage shall contain not more than ½ ounce of distilled spirits.
(ee) "Secretary" means the secretary of revenue.
(ff) (1) "Sell at retail" and "sale at retail" refer to and mean sales for use or consumption and not for resale in any form and sales to clubs, licensed drinking establishments, licensed caterers or holders of temporary permits.
(2) "Sell at retail" and "sale at retail" do not refer to or mean sales by a distributor, a microbrewery, a farm winery, a licensed club, a licensed drinking establishment, a licensed caterer or a holder of a temporary permit.
(gg) "To sell" includes to solicit or receive an order for, to keep or expose for sale and to keep with intent to sell.
(hh) "Sleeve" means a package of two or more 50-milliliter (3.2-fluid-ounce) containers of spirits.
(ii) "Spirits" means any beverage which contains alcohol obtained by distillation, mixed with water or other substance in solution, and includes brandy, rum, whiskey, gin or other spirituous liquors, and such liquors when rectified, blended or otherwise mixed with alcohol or other substances.
(jj) "Supplier" means a manufacturer of alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage or an agent of such manufacturer, other than a salesperson.
(kk) "Temporary permit" means the same as defined by K.S.A. 41-2601, and amendments thereto.
(ll) "Wine" means any alcoholic beverage obtained by the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe grapes, fruits, berries or other agricultural products, including such beverages containing added alcohol or spirits or containing sugar added for the purpose of correcting natural deficiencies.‘Wine’’ includes hard cider and any other product that is commonly known as a subset of wine.
History: L. 1949, ch. 242, § 2; L. 1953, ch. 238, § 1; L. 1965, ch. 314, § 1; L. 1972, ch. 342, § 56; L. 1978, ch. 185, § 1; L. 1979, ch. 152, § 1; L. 1983, ch. 161, § 1; L. 1985, ch. 168, § 1; L. 1987, ch. 182, § 1; L. 1987, ch. 182; § 2; L. 1992, ch. 201, § 1; L. 1993, ch. 234, § 1; L. 1998, ch. 191, § 1; L. 2008, ch. 126, § 4; L. 2011, ch. 57, § 1; L. 2012, ch. 144, § 4; L. 2015, ch. 82, § 4; L. 2016, ch. 65, § 3; L. 2017, ch. 56, § 4; L. 2018, ch. 99, §§ 2, 10; L. 2019, ch. 57, § 10; May 2; L. 2019, ch. 65, § 7; L. 2021, ch. 107, § 2; L. 2022, ch. 71, § 1, January 1, 2023.
41-104. Acts with regard to alcoholic liquor prohibited unless allowed by statute; exceptions.
(a) No person shall manufacture, bottle, blend, sell, barter, transport, deliver, furnish or possess any alcoholic liquor for beverage purposes, except as specifically provided in this act, the club and drinking establishment act or article 27 of chapter 41 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated and amendments thereto, except that nothing contained in such acts shall prevent:
(1) The possession and transportation of alcoholic liquor for the personal use of the possessor, the possessor's family and guests except that the provisions of K.S.A. 41-407 and amendments thereto shall be applicable to all persons;
(2) the making of wine, cider or beer by a person from fruits, vegetables or grains, or the product thereof, by simple fermentation and without distillation, if it is made solely for the use of the maker and the maker's family, guests and judges at a contest or competition of such beverages, provided, the maker receives no compensation for producing such beverages or for allowing the consumption thereof;
(3) any duly licensed practicing physician or dentist from possessing or using alcoholic liquor in the strict practice of the medical or dental profession;
(4) any hospital or other institution caring for sick and diseased persons, from possessing and using alcoholic liquor for the treatment of bona fide patients of such hospital or institution;
(5) any drugstore employing a licensed pharmacist from possessing and using alcoholic liquor in the compounding of prescriptions of duly licensed physicians;
(6) the possession and dispensation of wine by an authorized representative of any church for the purpose of conducting any bona fide rite or religious ceremony conducted by such church;
(7) the sale of wine to a consumer in this state by a person which holds a valid license authorizing the manufacture of wine in this or another state and the shipment of such wine directly to such consumer, subject to the following:
(A) The consumer must be at least 21 years of age;
(B) the consumer must purchase the wine while physically present on the premises of the wine manufacturer;
(C) the wine must be for the consumer's personal consumption and not for resale; and
(D) the consumer shall comply with the provisions of K.S.A. 41-407, and amendments thereto, by payment of all applicable taxes within such time after purchase of the wine as prescribed by rules and regulations adopted by the secretary;
(8) The serving of complimentary alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverages at fund raising activities of charitable organizations as defined by K.S.A. 17-1760, and amendments thereto, and as qualified pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c) and by committees formed pursuant to K.S.A. 25-4142 et seq., and amendments thereto. The serving of such alcoholic liquor at such fund raising activities shall not constitute a sale pursuant to this act, the club and drinking establishment act or article 27 of chapter 41 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto. Any such fund raising activity shall not be required to obtain a license or a temporary permit pursuant to this act, the club and drinking establishment act or article 27 of chapter 41 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and amendments thereto;
(9) the serving of complimentary alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage on the unlicensed premises of a business by the business owner or owner’s agent at an event sponsored by a nonprofit organization promoting the arts and which has been approved by ordinance or resolution of the governing body of the city, county or township wherein the event will take place and whereby the director of the alcoholic beverage control has been notified thereof no less than 10 days in advance, or
(10) the provision of alcoholic liquor or cereal malt beverage as a prize for a charitable raffle conducted in accordance with K.S.A. 75-5171 et seq., and amendments thereto, except that no such prize shall be provided to any person under 21 years of age.
(b) For purposes of subsection (a)(2), the term "guest" means a natural person who is known to the host and receives a personal invitation to an event conducted by the host. The term "guest" shall not mean a natural person who receives an invitation to an event conducted by the host when such invitation has been made available to the general public.
History: L. 1949, ch. 242, § 4; L. 1978, ch. 186, § 1; L. 1979, ch. 152, § 2; L. 1985, ch. 168, § 2; L. 1987, ch. 182, § 4; L. 2006, ch. 206, § 3; L. 2007, ch. 178, § 3; L. 2013, ch. 130, § 3; L. 2014, ch. 75, § 1; L. 2023, ch. 71 § 2; July 1.
41-105. Act inapplicable in certain cases.
None of the provisions of this act shall apply:
(1) To the manufacture of denatured alcohol produced in accordance with acts of congress and regulations promulgated thereunder;
(2) to flavoring extracts, syrups, or medicinal, mechanical, scientific, culinary or toilet preparations, or food products unfit for beverage purposes, but the provisions of this act shall not be construed to exclude or not apply to alcoholic liquor used in the manufacture, preparation or compounding of such preparations and products; or
(3) to wine intended for use and used by any church or religious organization for sacramental purposes.
History: L. 1949, ch. 242, § 5; March 9.
41-106. Violations of law; copy of citation.
(a) Any citation issued by an agent of the division of alcoholic beverage control for a violation of the liquor control act, the club and drinking establishment act or the Kansas cereal malt beverage act shall be delivered to licensee or a person in charge of the licensed premises at the time of the alleged violation. A copy of such citation also shall be delivered by United States mail to the licensee within 30 days of the alleged violation.
(b) Any duly authorized law enforcement officer who observes a violation of the liquor control act, the club and drinking establishment act or the Kansas cereal malt beverage act may, after serving notice to the licensee or a person in charge of the licensed premises, submit a report of such violation to the division of alcoholic beverage control for review. Upon receipt of such report, the director shall review the report and determine if administrative action will be taken against the licensee. If the director determines that administrative action will be taken, an administrative citation and notice of administrative action shall be delivered by United States mail to the licensee within 30 days of the date of the alleged violation.
(c) The notice required to be served to the licensee or a person in charge of the licensed premises at the time of the alleged violation pursuant to subsection (b) shall be in writing and shall contain the following:
(1) The name of the licensee;
(2) the date and time of the alleged violation;
(3) a description of the alleged violation; and
(4) a statement that a report of the alleged violation will be submitted to the division of alcoholic beverage control for review.
(d) Any citations not issued in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be void and unenforceable.
(e) For purposes of this section, the term "person in charge" means any individual or employee present on the licensed premises at the time of the alleged violation who is responsible for the operation of the licensed premises. If no designated individual or employee is a person in charge, then any employee present is the person in charge.
History: L. 2000, ch. 166, § 9; L. 2015, ch. 82, § 2; L. 2019, ch. 18, § 1; April 11.
41-107. Compliance checks or sting operations; notice of compliance.
Any licensee who has been the subject of an operation conducted by the division of alcoholic beverage control or any local law enforcement agency to determine compliance with the provisions of laws relating to the sale of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages to persons under 21 years of age or the legal age for consumption of cereal malt beverage shall be issued a written notice of compliance with such laws within 30 days of the date of such operation.
History: L. 2000, ch. 166, § 10; July 1.
41-108. Construction of act in case of invalidity of any provision.
If any provision of the Kansas liquor control act, or its application to any person or circumstance, is determined by a court to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall be construed in accordance with the intent of the legislature to further limit rather than to expand commerce in alcoholic liquor and to enhance strict regulatory control over taxation, distribution and sale of alcoholic liquor through the three-tier regulatory system imposed by the Kansas liquor control act upon all alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages.
History: L. 2009, ch. 114, § 12; July 1.