MEDIA ADVISORY FROM SEN. JAMIE RASKIN
For Immediate Release
March 6, 2008

(Unavailable) Wine Tasting and Press Conference

Senator Jamie Raskin will hold a wine tasting and press conference at the Maryland Inn on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 12:15p. The wine tasting will consist of wines currently unavailable to Maryland consumers through traditional purchasing mechanisms because of the states antiquated laws. Senator Raskin will be joined by Delegate Tom Hucker, who has cross-filed the bill in the House, Senator Madaleno, Senator Robey, Delegate Ali, Delegate Mizeur, Delegate Ross, Delegate Taylor, Maryland consumers, and other members of the Senate and House.

The press conference and wine tasting will be followed by a bill hearing for SB 616, which would allow for the direct shipment of wine to the consumer. SB 616 will be heard by the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee at 1pm. This legislation would allow both in-state and out-of-state wineries and retailers to ship wine directly to adults in Maryland upon purchase of a direct shipper's license.

"SB 616 is a pro-consumer and pro-wine maker bill that will bring a long-overdue free market in wine to Maryland's frustrated wine lovers and wine producers," said Senator Raskin, who is "pretty much a teetotaler" but represents many wine-lovers. "We have ridiculous liquor laws going back to the repeal of Prohibition, and it's time to bring some market freedom to the wine sector."

Maryland consumers are currently prohibited from purchasing wines online and receiving gift shipments such as wine-of-the-month club selections.

They are even forbidden to ship wine home from wineries which they visit in Maryland or other states. Maryland's wineries are even barred from shipping to Marylanders.

SB 616 would permit direct shipment of wine to consumers by Maryland wineries and others. Licensed shippers must pay a yearly license fee, as well as Maryland excise and sales taxes. The bill requires wine shipments to be clearly marked as containing alcohol and prohibits persons under 21 from receiving direct-shipped wine. According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003, a survey of eleven states with direct wine shipment found "no evidence suggesting direct shipping increases underage access," a statement consistent with sworn testimony from state alcohol regulators.

"Opponents of a free market in wine claim that it will increase underage drinking," said Senator Raskin, "but this is silly."

Testifying in support of the bill on Friday are the Maryland Office of the Comptroller, Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws, Maryland Wineries Association, Wine Institute, the CATO Institute, and Wine Enthusiast.

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 08:13 AM | Permalink

We just got word that the bill will be heard in the Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee in the next couple of weeks, which means that members of that subcommittee need to hear from all of you. Please urge them to pass the legislation so that the bill can get its fair hearing in the full House of Delegates. Let the House vote!

The members of the Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee who need to hear from you and your friends and family are:

Mary Ann Love (Dist. 32, Anne Arundel Co.), Chair (410) 841-3233, (301) 858-3233

Aisha N. Braveboy (Dist. 25, Prince George's Co.)
Richard K. Impallaria (Dist. 7, Baltimore, Harford Cos.),
Sally Y. Jameson (Dist. 28, Charles Co.)
James J. King (Dist. 33A, Anne Arundel Co.)
Carolyn J. Krysiak (Dist. 46, Baltimore City)
James N. Mathias, Jr. (Dist. 38B, Wicomico, Worcester Cos.)
Joseph J. "Sonny" Minnick (Dist. 6, Baltimore Co.)
Donna Stifler (Dist. 35A, Harford Co.)

Continue reading "Letters Now Needed to Delegates on the Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee" »

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 11:51 PM | Permalink

Let's Pack the Hearing Room!

A hearing has been scheduled for the House version of the wine direct shipping bill, HB 1260. The House Economic Matters Committee (House Office Building, Room 231) will begin the hearing on Monday, February 18, at 1pm. Please note that this is President's Day, so many constituents will have the day off to come up to the legislature to show their support for the bill.

Testimony, Supporters Needed to Pack the Hearing

This committee is hostile to our efforts and we need as many people as possible to pack the hearing room. We need consumers to testify or just be in the audience showing their support. If your delegate is on this committee, or if you know anyone whose delegate is on this committee, please write them today in support of HB 1260.

You can find out who your elected officials are here.

The easiest way to contact your delegates is through the Free the Grapes! website.

The members of the House Economic Matters Committee are:

* Dereck Davis (Dist. 25) -- Chair
* David Rudolph (Dist. 34B) -- Vice-Chair
* Aisha Braveboy (Dist. 25)
* Emmett Burns, Jr. (Dist. 10)
* Brian Feldman (Dist. 15)
* Jeannie Haddaway (Dist. 37B; co-sponsor)
* Hattie Harrison (Dist. 45)
* C. Sue Hecht (Dist. 3A)
* Richard Impallaria (Dist. 7)
* Sally Jameson (Dist. 28)
* James King (Dist. 33A)
* Ruth Kirk (Dist. 44)
* Carolyn Krysiak (Dist. 46)
* Mary Ann Love (Dist. 32)
* Roger Manno (Dist. 19)
* James Mathias, Jr. (Dist. 38B)
* Brian McHale (Dist. 46)
* Warren Miller (Dist. 9A)
* Joseph "Sonny" Minnick (Dist. 6)
* Donna Stifler (Dist. 35A)
* Herman Taylor, Jr. (Dist. 14; co-sponsor)
* Michael Vaughn (Dist. 24)
* Mary Roe Walkup (Dist. 36)

A factsheet on the bill is here.

If you are interested in testifying at the hearing, please email me with the subject of the email, "Testify."

More details on events scheduled around the hearing will follow in the coming days.

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 04:56 PM | Permalink

Urge Your State Senator and Delegates to Co-sponsor Raskin/Hucker Bill

A wine direct shipping bill is going to be introduced this week in the Maryland General Assembly. Now we need Marylanders to take action!

Please take a few minutes to contact your state Senator and Delegates. Ask them to co-sponsor Sen. Jamie Raskin's and Del. Tom Hucker's wine direct shipping bill. This legislation will allow Marylanders to receive fine wines direct-mailed from Maryland wineries, out-of-state wineries, and retailers like wine.com. Find out who your elected officials are and how to contact them here.

Continue reading "Wine Direct Shipping Bill to be Introduced this Week" »

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 12:26 AM | Permalink

Date: March 13, 2007

Re: Positions and Comments on Alcoholic Beverage Bills Before the Committee on March 13, 2007

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Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws (MBBWL), incorporated in Hyattsville, Maryland, advocates for beer and wine laws that: 1) benefit consumers; 2) promote competition; 3) protect the environment; and 4) support Maryland's brewers and wineries.

Our top priorities are allowing consumers to buy beer and wine in grocery stores, and allowing consumers to receive wine directly from wineries, retailers, and through online retailers like wine.com.

Approximately 900 Marylanders have joined our mailing list because they want to modernize our state’s alcohol laws and they want the legislature to consider consumer interests when crafting our state’s alcohol policies.

Summary
We are taking the following positions and making the following comments about the alcoholic beverage bills before you today:

SB 425 — Wineries – Special Events Permits – Farmers’ Markets
Position: Strongly Support

SB 473 — Alcoholic Beverages – Class A Light Wine Licenses – Residency Requirement
Position: Strongly Support

SB 507 — Baltimore County – Alcoholic Beverages – Wine Tasting
Position: Strongly Support

SB 958 — Frederick County – Alcoholic Beverages – Tables and Chairs at Wineries
Position: Strongly Support, with Amendments

SB 998 — Baltimore County – Alcoholic Beverages – Multiple License Holdings
Position: Strongly Support

Senate Companion to HB 614 — Montgomery County - Alcoholic Beverages - Direct
Sales by Holders of Class 6 Limited Wine Wholesaler's Licenses or Nonresident Winery Permits MC 703-07
Position: Strongly Support

Continue reading "Positions and Comments on Alcoholic Beverage Bills Before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee" »

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 11:00 PM | Permalink

Date: February 1, 2007

Re: Positions and Comments on Alcoholic Beverage Bills Before the Committee on February 1, 2007

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Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws (MBBWL), incorporated in Hyattsville, Maryland, advocates for beer and wine laws that: 1) benefit consumers; 2) promote competition; 3) protect the environment; and 4) support Maryland's brewers and wineries.

MBBWL represents all Marylanders — consumers, retailers, producers, distributors, and just regular folks — who share our values.

Our top priorities are allowing consumers to buy beer and wine in grocery stores, and to order wine through the mail from Maryland wineries, Maryland retailers, and through online retailers like wine.com.

Summary
We are taking the following positions, and making the following comments, about the alcoholic beverage bills before you today:

PG 304-07 — Class B-DD (Development District) License
Position: Support, with amendments

PG 305-07 — Licenses – Exercise of Off-Sale Privileges
Position: Neutral

PG 307-07 — Unlawful Drinking and Open Containers
Position: Oppose

PG 312-07 — Licenses – Waterfront Entertainment Complex
Position: Support, with amendments

PG 313-07 — Licenses – Advisory Commission to Study Luxury Type Restaurants
Position: Support, with amendments

PG 314-07 — Licenses – Woodmore Towne Center at Glenarden and the Greenbelt Station Town Center
Position: Support, with amendments

PG 318-07 — License Transfers – Gas Stations
Position: Neutral

Continue reading "Positions and Comments on Alcoholic Beverage Bills Before the Prince George's County Delegation" »

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 10:08 PM | Permalink

Marylanders are encouraged to send similar letters to their delegates regarding this important legislation, which is critical to the survival of Maryland's wine industry....

March 15, 2006

Del. Dereck E. Davis, Chairman
House Economic Matters Committee
Room 231, House Office Building
Annapolis, MD 21401-1912

via email and mail

Re: HB 1122 — Creating a Class 6 limited wine wholesaler’s license; authorizing a holder to sell and deliver its own brand of wine

Dear Chairman Davis:

Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws (MBBWL) is writing today in support of HB 1122, legislation that would allow small domestic wineries to distribute their own brand of wine.

Maryland’s wine industry has made great strides in the past few years, and this legislation is necessary for its survival. As you know, the Comptroller has informed wineries that they will no longer be able to self-distribute their wines to retailers and restaurants as of June 1, 2006. If Maryland’s wineries cannot self-distribute, many of them may go out of business. Distributors have proven that they cannot adequately distribute Maryland wines for both the wineries and distributors to make a profit.

A healthy wine industry in Maryland is good for the economy, good for job creation, good for consumers, and good for tax revenues. It is a clean industry that helps preserve precious farmland, which is good for the environment. Please help ensure the survival and continued thriving of Maryland’s wine industry by passing HB 1122.

All my best,

Scott Ehlers
Executive Director
Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws
PO Box 5162, Hyattsville, MD 20782
_____________

Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws advocates for beer and wine laws that: 1) benefit consumers; 2) promote competition; 3) protect the environment; and 4) support Maryland's brewers and wineries.

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 12:58 AM | Permalink

The following letter was sent to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee today in support of SB 280, which will allow Marylanders to take home a partially consumed bottle of wine from a restaurant.

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February 17, 2006

Sen. Paula C. Hollinger, Chairman
Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
2 West, Miller Senate Building
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991

via fax: 2 pages (410-841-3957)

Re: SB 280 - Removal of a Partially Consumed Bottle of Wine from a Licensed Premises

Dear Chairman Hollinger and Senators on the Committee:

Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws (MBBWL) is writing today in support of SB 280, legislation that would allow consumers to take home a partially consumed bottle of wine from a restaurant. Please enter this letter as our testimony in support of the legislation.

We believe this reform is good for consumers, good for the restaurant industry, good for Maryland's wine industry, and good for public safety. It is good for consumers because they will no longer have to leave partially consumed bottles of wine at the restaurant. If this law passes, consumers will have the opportunity to try wine that is not available by the glass, which they may not have purchased under current law if they had to leave much of a bottle at the restaurant.

This reform is good for the restaurant industry because patrons will be more likely to purchase more expensive bottles of wine if they are allowed to take a partially consumed bottle home with them.

This change in the law may benefit Maryland's wine industry because restaurant patrons may be willing to purchase a Maryland wine that is otherwise not available to them by the glass. We believe this reform would open up opportunities for consumers to try Maryland wine -- opportunities that are restricted under current law.

Finally, we believe SB 280 is good for public safety because restaurant patrons will no longer feel pressured to consume a full bottle of wine, rather than leave a partially consumed bottle at a restaurant. This will reduce the number of people driving while intoxicated.

Our Concerns

We do have two concerns with the way in which the bill is currently drafted. The bill requires the restaurant to insert the cork bottle "so that the top of the cork is level with the lip of the bottle." This language does not take into consideration that many fine wines today have screwtops rather than corks. It is also very difficult to get a cork all the way back in the bottle and restaurant wait staff may not be clear that this is the requirement as it is not common practice to put a cork "level with the lip of the bottle" after it has been opened. We do not want to see restaurant patrons being arrested or getting tickets because restaurant staff did not put a cork level with the tip of the bottle. MBBWL believes there should be some more leeway in this provision.

We also are concerned about the provision that makes bottles of wine removed from restaurants "open containers." It is easy to imagine restaurant patrons not being told that they must put the bottle in the trunk by a server in a busy restaurant. If they are then pulled over by the police, they could get a ticket for an open container if the bottle is in the cab of the car even if the bottle isn't truly open and the restaurant patrons were under the impression that such actions were legal. Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws does not believe a partially consumed bottle of wine from a restaurant that is corked should be considered an open container if there is not evidence that wine was being consumed in the vehicle.

Thank you for considering this progressive legislation and taking our input. Do not hesitate to call on us when deliberating this and other beer and wine law reforms. We hope you will pass SB 280 with our suggested changes in order to make Maryland's wine laws better.

All my best,

Scott Ehlers
Executive Director
Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 11:34 AM | Permalink

We've been doing a little research and we have identified three pieces of legislation that will change the beer and wine laws for the better in Maryland. They include:

H.B. 148 -- Authorizes the Board of License Commissioners of Somerset County to issue a specified alcoholic beverages license to a chain grocery store.

Sponsor: Del. Elmore (R-Dist. 38A)

Status: No action; assigned to the House Economic Matters Committee

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H.B. 259 -- Requires the Board of License Commissioners of Frederick County to approve four weekends annually for the special beer festival in Frederick County, provides that the Board may allow the special beer festival to be held on the premises of the holder of a stadium on-sale license.

Sponsor: Frederick County Delegation

Status: No action; assigned to the House Economic Matters Committee

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S. 280/H.B. 517 -- Allows a person who purchases at a licensed premises a meal and a bottle of wine, the contents of which are partially consumed with the meal, to remove the bottle and its contents from the licensed premises under specified circumstances, states that a bottle of wine under the Act is an ""open container"" for purposes of a specified provision of law concerning possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Sponsors: Senators Ida G. Ruben (D-Dist. 20), Forehand, Hollinger, Jacobs, Kramer, Lawlah, Stone, and Teitelbaum

Status: Hearing 2/17, 1pm; Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee

If you would like to contact your elected representatives on these matters, go to the Maryland Election Districts website and enter your address. You will be told whom your legislators are, along with their contact information.

Posted by Scott Ehlers at 09:52 AM | Permalink