Section 3-2-3. Powers and duties of commissioner as to denial, suspension, or cancellation of licenses generally; promulgation of rules and regulations as to conversion of standards of measurement to English system and labeling of distilled spirits

   In addition to his other duties and responsibilities to administer this title, the commissioner may:

   (1) Deny, suspend, or cancel any license required under this title if:

      (A) The license application is not filed in good faith or is filed by some person as a subterfuge for any other person;

      (B) Any applicant for a license or any licensee under this title willfully fails to comply with any provisions of this title or with rules and regulations adopted by the commissioner; or

      (C) Any person to whom a license has been issued is no longer engaged in the dealing of alcoholic beverages or no longer qualifies as a licensee under this title.

   Before any denial, suspension, or cancellation of a license granted pursuant to this title, the applicant or licensee shall be afforded a hearing in the manner and subject to the conditions and procedures established by this chapter and the commissioner. The commissioner shall notify an applicant or licensee in writing of the denial, suspension, or cancellation by registered or certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the last known address of the applicant or licensee appearing in the commissioner's files or by personal service upon the applicant or licensee by an authorized agent of the commissioner. Upon cancellation of a license for cause under this paragraph, there shall be no renewal or reissuance of the canceled license for a period of two years from the date of cancellation;

   (2) In the event that the license of any person is canceled by the commissioner under the authority of this title, hold the bonds of the person for a period of three years against any liabilities accruing as a result of the business of the person whose license is canceled. In no event shall the surrender of any bond release any liability;

   (3) Enter into agreements with appropriate authorities of other states who enforce the alcoholic beverage laws thereof, to exchange information relative to the manufacture, receipt, sale, use, or transportation of alcoholic beverages;

   (4) Promulgate rules and regulations which he deems necessary for the conversion from the metric system of measurement to the equivalent English measurement in United States gallons and subdivisions of gallons and shall compute all tax rates at the equivalent English measurement; and

   (5) Promulgate rules and regulations, not inconsistent with federal laws or regulations, requiring informative labeling of all distilled spirits offered for sale in this state.

Code 1933, § 5A-303, enacted by Ga. L. 1980, p. 1573, § 1; Ga. L. 1981, p. 1269, § 5; Ga. L. 1982, p. 1463, §§ 1, 8; Ga. L. 1984, p. 22, § 3; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589, § 3.