Skip to main content
HR 5409 100th Congress House Commerce Accident prevention Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages Alcohol and women Alcoholic beverage control Alcoholic beverage industry Alcoholic beverages Beverage containers Birth defects Child health Children and youth Consumer protection Drunk driving Federal preemption Fines (Penalties) Health Health warnings Injunctions Labeling Motor Vehicles and Driving

Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988

Introduced: September 28, 1988 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 24, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Oct 22, 1988
For Further Action See H.R.5210.
Oct 5, 1988
Referred to Subcommittee on Trade.
Sep 28, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means.
Sep 28, 1988
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sep 28, 1988
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988 - Prohibits manufacturing, importing, or bottling for sale or distribution in the United States any alcoholic beverage unless its container bears a Government warning statement that: (1) according to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcohol during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects; and (2) consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs the ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may cause other health problems.

Sets forth location and type size requirements for such statement.

Makes such requirement inapplicable to alcoholic beverages for export from the United States or for delivery to a vessel or aircraft as supplier for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of U.S. internal revenue laws. Applies such requirement to those for sale, distribution, or shipment to members or units of the armed forces, including those located outside the United States.

Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury (the Secretary) to compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any such penalty.

Vests jurisdiction to issue injunctions against such violations in U.S. district courts, upon application of the Attorney General acting through U.S. attorneys.

Prohibits State law from requiring any alcohol and health statement, other than that required by this Act or other Federal law on any container of an alcoholic beverage, or any other package containing such container.

Directs the Secretary to report promptly to the Congress any recommendations for amendments to this Act that are appropriate and in the public interest, upon finding that available scientific information would justify a change in, addition to, or deletion of all or part of such a statement after an appropriate investigation and consultation with the Surgeon General carried out after 24 months after the enactment of this Act.

Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations regarding implementation of this Act.

What's happening now October 24, 1988

Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1 Republican 1