1. (a) Levy. In addition to the licenses provided for by Chapter 3A of this title, there is hereby levied a privilege or excise tax on every person licensed under the provisions of said Chapter 3A who sells, stores or receives for the purpose of distribution, to any person, firm, corporation, club or association within the State of Alabama any malt or brewed beverages. The tax levied hereby shall be measured by and graduated in accordance with the volume of sales by such person of malt or brewed beverages, and shall be an amount equal to $.05 for each 12 fluid ounces or fractional part thereof.

2. (b) Collection. The tax levied by subsection (a) of this section shall be collected by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and said tax shall be added to the sales price of all malt or brewed beverages sold, and shall be collected from the purchasers. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, club or association who is required to pay the tax in the first instance to fail or refuse to add to the sales price and collect from the purchaser the required amount of tax, it being the intent and purpose of this provision that the tax levied is in fact a tax on the consumer, with the person, firm, corporation, club or association who pays the tax in the first instance acting merely as an agent of the state for the collection and payment of the tax.

   Except as hereinafter provided, the tax levied by subsection (a) of this section shall be collected by a return which shall be filed by the wholesaler or distributor with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board postmarked not later than the last day of the month following the month of receipt of the malt or brewed beverages by the wholesaler or distributor from the manufacturer, which return shall be accompanied by the remittance of the tax due. Provided, however, for malt or brewed beverages received during the month of October, 1979, the return and remittance of tax shall be filed with the board postmarked not later than November 10, 1979, and for malt or brewed beverages received during the month of November, 1979, the return and remittance of tax shall be filed with the board postmarked not later than December 20, 1979.

   The board shall have the authority to examine the books and records of any person, firm, corporation, club or association who sells, stores or receives for the purpose of distribution, any malt or brewed beverages, to determine the accuracy of any return required to be filed with the board.

3. (c) Disposition of proceeds. The proceeds of the tax levied by subsection (a) of this section shall be paid into the State Treasury to be distributed as follows:

   1. (1) One-half cent of said proceeds shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the wet counties in the state and shall be divided and distributed equally on or before the fifteenth day of each month to said counties;

   2. (2) One cent of said proceeds shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the state Public Welfare Trust Fund and shall be used for general welfare purposes. As used in this section, the phrase “general welfare purposes” means:

      1. a. The administration of public assistance as set out in Sections 38-2-5 and 38-4-1;
      2. b. Services, including supplementation and supplementary services under the federal Social Security Act, to or on behalf of persons to whom such public assistance may be given under Sections 38-2-5 and 38-4-1;
      3. c. Services to and on behalf of dependent, neglected or delinquent children; and
      4. d. Investigative and referral services to and on behalf of needy persons.
   3. (3) Two cents of said proceeds shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the Education Trust Fund, and so much thereof as may be necessary for the purpose is hereby appropriated to pay the principal of and interest on bonds not exceeding $30,000,000.00 in aggregate principal amount, issued and sold by the public corporation known as the Alabama Trade School and Junior College Authority.
   4. (4) The residue of one and one-half cents shall be paid into the State Treasury credited to the General Fund of the state.

(Acts 1979, No. 79-802, p. 1475, §1; Acts 1997, No. 97-146, p. 185, §1.)