The Beer & Wine Law Reformer - Issue #1
In Issue #1...
Greetings
Wine Legislation
In the News
Beer and Wine Festivals
Wanted: Volunteers, Donations, Partnerships and Fundraisers
Greetings
Wine Legislation
- Wine Re-Corking Legislation Passes House, Senate Unanimously; Compromise Bill to Be Crafted
- Senate: Allow Maryland Wineries to Self-Distribute
- Bill to Allow Direct Shipping of Wine to Consumers Dies
- House Approves More Beer Festivals in Frederick County; On to Senate
- House Bill Would Allow Microbrewers to Self-Distribute to Retailers
In the News
Beer and Wine Festivals
Wanted: Volunteers, Donations, Partnerships and Fundraisers
___________________________________________________________
Greetings
Hello from Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws! This is the first edition of our newsletter, which we hope you enjoy and will share with your friends. We'll make this short, sweet, and to the point:
Point #1: There are only a couple of weeks left in the Maryland General Assembly session. We need letters and calls made on some important bills. More below.
Point #2: This is an election year, which means that some good bills have already been killed because they were seen as being too controversial. Next year we want to change that. This spring, summer, and fall, we want to hit the wine, beer, and food festivals to tell people about our good work and build our membership so we have a powerful constituency for beer and wine law reform in 2007. We're looking for volunteers, partners, and donations to make this happen, so please consider helping out wherever you can.
Now on to the news....
Wine Legislation
Wine Re-Corking Legislation Passes House, Senate Unanimously; Compromise Bill to Be Crafted
Legislation to allow Marylanders to take home a partially consumed bottle of wine has passed both the Senate (SB 280 passed on March 14) and the House (HB 517 passed on March 24). Because the two bills differ due to different amendments made in each chamber, there is still some work to be done by legislators to make the bills agree with each other and for it to be sent to Gov. Ehrlich for his signature. On February 17, Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws sent a letter to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, urging them to pass SB 280 with amendments. Two of those amendments - not requiring re-corked bottles to have the cork flush with the bottle top, and allowing for screw-top bottles - were adopted by the House.
Senate: Allow Maryland Wineries to Self-Distribute
For Maryland wine lovers, one of the most important pieces of legislation before the General Assembly is SB812/HB 1122. These bills will allow Maryland wineries to retain the ability to self-distribute their own product - a power they have had since 1951, according to the Maryland Wineries Association. These bills were introduced after Comptroller William Donald Schaefer told Maryland wineries that as of June 1, they would no longer be able to distribute their own product because of a recent lawsuit. The suit alleged that out-of-state wineries were essentially being discriminated against because they weren't allowed to self-distribute like Maryland wineries were. SB812/HB 1122 will allow small, out-of-state and Maryland wineries to get a wholesaler's license to self-distribute their own product to retailers and restaurants. SB 812 passed the Maryland Senate unanimously; it now goes to the House of Delegates for deliberation and a vote. It is critically important for Maryland's small wineries to retain the ability to self-distribute because going through a traditional distributor means higher costs that will price them out of the market, or no distribution at all because many distributors don't want to handle small-scale, specialty wines, which Maryland wines are at this point. If you haven't already done so, please contact your delegates and tell them to support HB 1122. Feel free to use some of the points we made in the letter we sent to Del. Dereck Davis, Chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee, on March 15.
Bill to Allow Direct Shipping of Wine to Consumers Dies
One of the big disappointments of the session for wine connoisseurs was the unfavorable vote of HB 625 on March 25, which would have allowed for direct shipping of wine to consumers. Right now Marylanders cannot order wine through wine.com or have wine shipped directly to them by their favorite Maryland winery - even after taking a wine tour! HB 625 would have changed all that by creating a "direct wine shipper's license," which would allow in-state and out-of-state wineries, importers, and brand-owners to ship direct to Marylanders.
Beer Legislation
House Approves More Beer Festivals in Frederick County; On to Senate
On March 27, the House of Delegates unanimously approved HB 259, legislation that would require the county alcohol board to approve four weekends a year for special beer festivals that promote Maryland beer. Under existing law, the board is authorized to issue a special beer festival license for only one weekend. The legislation now goes to the Senate. Please consider contacting your Senator to support Maryland's craft brewers.
House Bill Would Allow Microbrewers to Self-Distribute to Retailers
HB 1302, sponsored by Del. Paul S. Stull (R-Dist. 4A), would allow holders of Class 7 microbrewery licenses to sell beer directly to retailers, a reform that could greatly help Maryland's microbreweries. Brewers would be limited to selling 5,000 barrels to retailers, on top of the 4,000 barrels they can sell on premises. The House Economic Matters Committee had a hearing on the bill on March 6, but a report has not been published yet. If you would like to support Maryland's microbreweries, please contact your delegates and urge them to support HB 1302.
Grocery Store Sales
Many people in Maryland don't realize it, but grocery stores are generally prohibited from selling beer and wine (see Art. 2B, Sec. 9-102(a-1)). A major inconvenience for Maryland consumers, reforming this law is one of MBBWL's top priorities. While no bills were introduced this session to reform the law statewide, there were a couple of bills that would have allowed grocery store sales in individual counties. HB 148 (Elmore (R)) would have authorized the Somerset County alcohol board to issue a Class A, B, or D beer, wine, or liquor license to grocery stores. Unfortunately that bill received an unfavorable report by the House Economic Matters Committee. The other bill that would have allowed grocery store sales is SB 605 (Colburn (R)), which would have allowed sales in Dorchester County grocery stores. That bill was withdrawn prior to a vote.
In the News
If you're looking to keep on top of news about Maryland wineries and wine law reform efforts, we recommend you check out the news section of the Maryland Wineries Association. They have a number of stories on the fight to retain self-distribution rights for Maryland wineries. Free the Grapes and the Benson Marketing Group offer national wine media coverage right to your email inbox.
Beer and Wine Festivals
Now that spring is upon us, a number of beer and wine festivals are coming are way, including:
Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws needs your help to make Maryland's beer and wine laws better for consumers, Maryland's independent wineries and brewers. This summer we're planning on heading out to the festivals to build our grassroots network of reformers. To do that we need to pay exhibitor fees, buy banners, print education materials, and create promotional materials. Please consider sending MBBWL a donation today! We are also looking for volunteers to exhibit at festivals, and wineries, breweries, and restaurants for partnerships and fundraisers. Please contact MBBWL Executive Director, Scott Ehlers, if you are interested in any of these opportunities.
Greetings
Hello from Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws! This is the first edition of our newsletter, which we hope you enjoy and will share with your friends. We'll make this short, sweet, and to the point:
Point #1: There are only a couple of weeks left in the Maryland General Assembly session. We need letters and calls made on some important bills. More below.
Point #2: This is an election year, which means that some good bills have already been killed because they were seen as being too controversial. Next year we want to change that. This spring, summer, and fall, we want to hit the wine, beer, and food festivals to tell people about our good work and build our membership so we have a powerful constituency for beer and wine law reform in 2007. We're looking for volunteers, partners, and donations to make this happen, so please consider helping out wherever you can.
Now on to the news....
Wine Legislation
Wine Re-Corking Legislation Passes House, Senate Unanimously; Compromise Bill to Be Crafted
Legislation to allow Marylanders to take home a partially consumed bottle of wine has passed both the Senate (SB 280 passed on March 14) and the House (HB 517 passed on March 24). Because the two bills differ due to different amendments made in each chamber, there is still some work to be done by legislators to make the bills agree with each other and for it to be sent to Gov. Ehrlich for his signature. On February 17, Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws sent a letter to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, urging them to pass SB 280 with amendments. Two of those amendments - not requiring re-corked bottles to have the cork flush with the bottle top, and allowing for screw-top bottles - were adopted by the House.
Senate: Allow Maryland Wineries to Self-Distribute
For Maryland wine lovers, one of the most important pieces of legislation before the General Assembly is SB812/HB 1122. These bills will allow Maryland wineries to retain the ability to self-distribute their own product - a power they have had since 1951, according to the Maryland Wineries Association. These bills were introduced after Comptroller William Donald Schaefer told Maryland wineries that as of June 1, they would no longer be able to distribute their own product because of a recent lawsuit. The suit alleged that out-of-state wineries were essentially being discriminated against because they weren't allowed to self-distribute like Maryland wineries were. SB812/HB 1122 will allow small, out-of-state and Maryland wineries to get a wholesaler's license to self-distribute their own product to retailers and restaurants. SB 812 passed the Maryland Senate unanimously; it now goes to the House of Delegates for deliberation and a vote. It is critically important for Maryland's small wineries to retain the ability to self-distribute because going through a traditional distributor means higher costs that will price them out of the market, or no distribution at all because many distributors don't want to handle small-scale, specialty wines, which Maryland wines are at this point. If you haven't already done so, please contact your delegates and tell them to support HB 1122. Feel free to use some of the points we made in the letter we sent to Del. Dereck Davis, Chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee, on March 15.
Bill to Allow Direct Shipping of Wine to Consumers Dies
One of the big disappointments of the session for wine connoisseurs was the unfavorable vote of HB 625 on March 25, which would have allowed for direct shipping of wine to consumers. Right now Marylanders cannot order wine through wine.com or have wine shipped directly to them by their favorite Maryland winery - even after taking a wine tour! HB 625 would have changed all that by creating a "direct wine shipper's license," which would allow in-state and out-of-state wineries, importers, and brand-owners to ship direct to Marylanders.
Beer Legislation
House Approves More Beer Festivals in Frederick County; On to Senate
On March 27, the House of Delegates unanimously approved HB 259, legislation that would require the county alcohol board to approve four weekends a year for special beer festivals that promote Maryland beer. Under existing law, the board is authorized to issue a special beer festival license for only one weekend. The legislation now goes to the Senate. Please consider contacting your Senator to support Maryland's craft brewers.
House Bill Would Allow Microbrewers to Self-Distribute to Retailers
HB 1302, sponsored by Del. Paul S. Stull (R-Dist. 4A), would allow holders of Class 7 microbrewery licenses to sell beer directly to retailers, a reform that could greatly help Maryland's microbreweries. Brewers would be limited to selling 5,000 barrels to retailers, on top of the 4,000 barrels they can sell on premises. The House Economic Matters Committee had a hearing on the bill on March 6, but a report has not been published yet. If you would like to support Maryland's microbreweries, please contact your delegates and urge them to support HB 1302.
Grocery Store Sales
Many people in Maryland don't realize it, but grocery stores are generally prohibited from selling beer and wine (see Art. 2B, Sec. 9-102(a-1)). A major inconvenience for Maryland consumers, reforming this law is one of MBBWL's top priorities. While no bills were introduced this session to reform the law statewide, there were a couple of bills that would have allowed grocery store sales in individual counties. HB 148 (Elmore (R)) would have authorized the Somerset County alcohol board to issue a Class A, B, or D beer, wine, or liquor license to grocery stores. Unfortunately that bill received an unfavorable report by the House Economic Matters Committee. The other bill that would have allowed grocery store sales is SB 605 (Colburn (R)), which would have allowed sales in Dorchester County grocery stores. That bill was withdrawn prior to a vote.
In the News
If you're looking to keep on top of news about Maryland wineries and wine law reform efforts, we recommend you check out the news section of the Maryland Wineries Association. They have a number of stories on the fight to retain self-distribution rights for Maryland wineries. Free the Grapes and the Benson Marketing Group offer national wine media coverage right to your email inbox.
Beer and Wine Festivals
Now that spring is upon us, a number of beer and wine festivals are coming are way, including:
- May 13, 2006: Maryland Brewer's SpringFest, Great Frederick Fairgrounds, Frederick, MD
- May 20-21, 2006: Wine in the Woods, Symphony Woods, Columbia, MD
- June 10-11, 2006: Great Grapes! Wine, Arts, and Food Festival, Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville, MD
Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws needs your help to make Maryland's beer and wine laws better for consumers, Maryland's independent wineries and brewers. This summer we're planning on heading out to the festivals to build our grassroots network of reformers. To do that we need to pay exhibitor fees, buy banners, print education materials, and create promotional materials. Please consider sending MBBWL a donation today! We are also looking for volunteers to exhibit at festivals, and wineries, breweries, and restaurants for partnerships and fundraisers. Please contact MBBWL Executive Director, Scott Ehlers, if you are interested in any of these opportunities.
