(a) The public policy of the state is to restrict the number of permits in this state to dispense vinous (except small farm wines), spirituous, or malt liquor.
(b)
(1) The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board shall determine whether public convenience and advantage will be promoted by issuing a permit and by increasing or decreasing the number of permits the board issues.
(2) The number of permits issued by the board shall be restricted.
(c) The board has the discretion to determine the number of permits to be granted in each county of this state or within the corporate limits of any municipality of this state and to determine the location and the persons to whom the permits shall be issued, under the following conditions:
(1) The number of permits allowing the off-premises sale of vinous (except small farm wines), spirituous, or malt liquor in the State of Arkansas shall not exceed a ratio of one (1) permit for every seven thousand five hundred (7,500) population residing in the county or political subdivision of the county;
(2)
(A) The number of permits allowing the off-premises sale of vinous (except small farm wines), spirituous, or malt liquor in a county or political subdivision of the county that permits the sale shall not exceed a ratio of one (1) permit for every seven thousand five hundred (7,500) population residing in that county or political subdivision of the county.
(B) Population of the county or political subdivision of the county shall:
(i) Be determined according to the most recent federal decennial census; and
(ii) Count all residents of the county or political subdivision of the county, including without limitation the residents of a dry political subdivision of a county;
(3) A new permit that is issued in a county or political subdivision of the county following the most recent federal decennial census shall be issued under the following restrictions:
(A) Additional permits may be issued at a ratio of one (1) permit for every additional seven thousand five hundred (7,500) population within the county or political subdivision of the county; and
(B)
(i) A qualified applicant may apply for a permit.
(ii) Qualifications are to be set by the board and the board's determination of the public convenience and advantage;
(4)
(A) If it is determined that a county or political subdivision of the county is entitled to additional permits when warranted by the most recent federal decennial census, the board shall announce before the last date for applications the number of new permits, if any, that may be issued in the county or political subdivision of the county.
(B) In the event that the most recent federal decennial census population figures decline in a county or political subdivision of the county:
(i) Existing permits shall not be cancelled or revoked for the decline in population;
(ii) The quota ratio shall not be applied to the county or political subdivision of the county until the population in the county or political subdivision of the county reaches a number equaling one (1) permit to every seven thousand five hundred (7,500) population; and
(iii) A new permit shall not be issued in the county or political subdivision of the county until the population warrants.
(C) A transfer of locations from one county to another county is not allowed.
(D) If a holder of a permit for the sale of vinous (except small farm wines), spirituous, or malt liquor surrenders the permit in a county or political subdivision of the county where the ratio no longer meets the requirement of one (1) permit for every seven thousand five hundred (7,500) population, new applications shall not be accepted until that ratio is reestablished at a subsequent federal decennial census;
(5)
(A)
(i) If a permit holder does not conduct business under a permit issued for a period of more than thirty (30) days, the permit shall be surrendered to the Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division and shall be placed on inactive status.
(ii) The permit may remain inactive for three (3) months.
(B) To secure the return of the permit, the permit holder shall file with the director a written statement showing:
(i) That all taxes and fees owing to the state have been paid;
(ii) The reason for the suspension of business activities; and
(iii) The date business activity will resume.
(C)
(i) The permit holder may petition the board for an extension of inactive status for an additional three-month period.
(ii) The board may grant an initial extension upon a showing by the permit holder and a finding by the board that:
(a) Business circumstances exist to justify an extension;
(b) The delay to return to business was not due to mere deferral or inattention on the part of the permit holder; and
(c) The inactive status should be extended.
(iii)
(a) The permit holder may appeal to the board for a second extension of inactive status for an additional six-month period, but only upon a showing by the permit holder and a finding by the board that emergency circumstances exist to justify a final extension.
(b) “Emergency circumstances” means delays in return to business that are beyond the control, planning, or foresight of the permit holder, including without limitation:
(1) A delay due to a natural or man-made disaster;
(2) The pending adjudication of a lawsuit;
(3) A building construction problem; and
(4) A contested or delayed insurance claim or settlement.
(D) A permit remaining on inactive status for a period of more than twelve (12) months or which has not been granted an extension under this subdivision (c)(5) shall expire; and
(6)
(A) This section and §§ 3-4-202 and 3-4-208, except with regard to a permit on inactive status for more than twelve (12) months after the provisions of subdivision (c)(5) of this section have become effective or a permit that has expired in accordance with subdivision (c)(5) of this section, do not divest any permit holder holding the permit on September 1, 2019, regardless of the quota ratio, of his or her permit.
(B) In a county or political subdivision of the county that has a ratio lower than the permit quota ratio of one (1) permit for every seven thousand five hundred (7,500) population, the permit holder shall be allowed to continue under subdivision (c)(4)(B) of this section.