Politicians never fail to live up to their reputation of exercising a lack of foresight when proposing policy. In the wonderful Corn Husker state, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, has proposed a 287% increase on the liquor excise tax for spirits. The excise tax would increase from $3.75 a gallon to $14.50 a gallon.
It would result […]
The New York legislature passed legislation, AB 3132, that would allow the interstate shipping of cider and spirits into the state subject to restrictions.
Specifically, this legislation would limit shipping to distillers producing below 75,000 gallons.
Under the terms of the legislation, an out-of-state distiller can ship up to thirty-six cases of liquor to a resident […]
Previously, I gave a synopsis of important liquor bills in Illinois. Today, I provide an update. There is also a new bill on hemp regulation.
SB 3926-Would ban the sale of hemp products to anyone under 21 and require testing of hemp products. Concerns are arising because when infused with Delta 8, hemp products can become […]
Happy Hour comes to Indiana
The Governor signed into law legislation that brings back Happy Hour to Indiana after nearly a 40-year hiatus. The new law takes effect on July 1, 2024. Happy hour is limited to four hours in one day, and fifteen hours in one week. The four hours in […]
Wisconsin’s amended liquor legislation made some positive changes but major problems still exist. Recently Wisconsin amended SB 268 so that revocation of a common carrier’s permit after two mistakes is no longer the standard. The new legislation changes the mandatory “shall” standard to the “may” discretionary standard.
However, even with this positive amendment, this law […]
Recently Wisconsin passed legislation signed into law that represents the greatest attack on the American wine industry in recent times and will cause great harm to American Wines.
The American wine industry is dominated by great wine states such as California, Washington, and Oregon. However, every other state has their niche wine countries and states such […]
Highlights
The Indiana legislature is making some bold proposals this session. Happy Hour could come back to the Hoosier State if proposed legislation is successful, and hotels would be able to serve complimentary drinks to their guest in areas where alcohol is not sold.
A cocktails-to-go provision was introduced and in the […]
Highlights
The legislative season is heating up in Illinois and proposed legislation could drastically impact the liquor regulatory scheme.
Below I provide a summary of the most crucial bills, but before I dive in, I wanted to provide highlights.
A proposed bill would create a third-party retail delivery license and effectively create a 4th […]
In 1973 Irishman and Manchester United great George Best experienced a great fall from grace. At one point he was the best in the world, years later his career was on a downturn. As a waiter was delivering champagne to Mr. Best in his hotel bedroom, he couldn’t help but to say to Mr. Best, […]
The Supreme Court back in 2005 settled the winery shipping issue in Granholm, when it held that a law permitting in-state wineries to ship to in-state consumers but not affording this same privilege to out-of-state wineries violated the Commerce Clause’s Non-Discrimination Principle.
Although the issue seems settled, wine wholesalers never gave up the fight to restrict […]