Deregulation
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Legislative Activity - Deregulation


Last updated: March 8, 2017

 

2017 BILLS


Minnesota

House Bill 1049
Summary: Reduces the drinking age to 19.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Joe Hoppe (R-Chaska) and Joe McDonald (R-Delano)

2016 BILLS

 

Iowa

House Bill 2368 DEAD 
Summary: Requires a comprehensive on alcoholic beverage control, including considering changes to the three-tiered system as it impacts manufacturers and retailers in a changing marketplace. An interim report on the study shall be submitted to the general assembly by December 31, 2016, and final report by January 31, 2017.
Sponsor(s): Committee on State Government


New Jersey 

Assembly Bill 3210
Summary: Lowers drinking age from 21 to 18 years of age.
Sponsor(s): Representative Michael Carroll (R-Parliamentarian)


Oregon

Initiative 71 Withdrawn
Summary: Privatizes liquor sales.
Sponsor(s): --



2015 BILLS



Indiana

House Bill 1311- Signed into law
Summary:Raises the barrel limit for a small brewery from 30,000 barrels a year to 90,000 barrels a year.
Sponsor(s): Representative Edward Clere (R-Floyd)


Kentucky

House Bill 168 - Signed into law
Summary:Prohibits alcohol licensees from holding licenses from other tiers of the distribution system, specifically brewers cannot hold a wholesale or retail license.
Sponsor(s):Representative Greg Stumbo (D-Floyd)


Michigan
House Bill 4174Summary: Allows brewers and winemakers to sell directly to consumers.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Todd Courser (R-Lapper) and Cindy Gamrat (R-Plainwell)

Senate Bill 48 Summary: Permits a city legislative body to allow on-premises licensees located within a central business district of the city to sell alcohol between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Sponsor(s): Senator Virgil Smith (D-Detroit)


Minnesota

House Bill 486
Summary: Permits persons that are less than 21 years of age and accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or spouse of legal drinking age, to purchase, possess, and consume alcohol within the premises of an on-sale alcohol retailer.Sponsor(s): Representatives Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Minneapolis), Ron Erhardt (DFL-Saint Paul, John Lesch (DFL-Saint Paul)*
*more than 3 sponsors

 House Bill 2141 
Summary: Lowers drinking age to 19.Sponsor(s): Representative Joe Hoppe (R-Chaska)

 Senate Bill 2046 
Summary: Lowers drinking age to 19.Sponsor(s): Senator Julianne Ortman (R-Cologne)

New Hampshire

 House Bill 366Summary: Increases the alcohol content of “beverages” available at retail from 6% ABV to 8% ABV. Sponsor(s): Representative John Hunt (R-Rindge)

House Bill 1654
Summary: Allows licensed grocery stores to sell wine and beer without closing state-run liquor stores. Allows restaurants, small delis and hotels to sell wine to go and more beer for take-home. Beer distributors would be able to sell six-packs, mixed cases and gallon jugs of beer known as growlers.
Sponsor(s): Representative Paul Costa (D-Allegheny)
Senate Bill 93Summary: Increases the alcohol content of “beverages” available at retail from 6% ABV to 8% ABV.Sponsor(s): Senator Andy Sanborn (R-Bedford)


 Pennsylvania

House Bill 1654
Summary: Allows licensed grocery stores to sell wine and beer without closing state-run liquor stores. Allows restaurants, small delis and hotels to sell wine to go and more beer for take-home. Beer distributors would be able to sell six-packs, mixed cases and gallon jugs of beer known as growlers.Sponsor(s): Representative Paul Costa (D-Allegheny)

House Bill 1690 Summary: Privatizes the sale of wine and liquor. Closes state run stores and allows wine and liquor sales at beer distributors and restaurants. Limited licenses for restaurants and hotels to sell wine and liquor to go, and grocery stores could sell wine to go.
Sponsor(s): Representative Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny)


Virginia

Senate Bill 1032 - Signed into law
Summary: Restructures management of ABC by replacing the 3 board of directors and replacing with 5 part-time persons with business experience.
Sponsor(s): Senators Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville) and Linda Puller (D-Mt. Vernon)



2015 DEAD BILLS


Alabama

Senate Bill 115
Summary: Phases out retail sale of alcoholic beverages by state.Sponsor(s): Senator Arthur Orr (R-Morgan)

Connecticut

House Bill 6981
Summary: Extends hours of operations for package stores, drug stores, beer manufacturers, brew pubs, grocery stores, farm wineries, nonprofit golf tournaments, and farmers’ markets.Sponsor(s): General Law Committee

 Pennsylvania

House Bill 466 - VETOED
Summary: Privatizes the sale of wine and distilled spirits.
Sponsor(s): Representative Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny)


2014 BILLS



 New Mexico

House Bill 11
Summary: Eliminates restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Sundays and Christmas Day.
Sponsor(s): Representative Bill McCamley (D-Dona Ana)

Tennessee
House Bill 610 - Signed into law
Summary: Allows cities and counties to hold a referendum to authorize selling wine at retail food stores.
Sponsor(s): Representative Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol)
Senate Bill 837 - Signed into lawSummary: Allows cities and counties to hold a referendum to authorize selling wine at retail food stores.
Sponsor(s): Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro)


West Virginia

House Bill 2069Summary: Allows on-sale retailers to begin sales on Sunday at 10 a.m. rather than 1 p.m.
Sponsor(s): Delegate Mike Caputo (D-Marion)


2014 DEAD BILLS



Connecticut

Senate Bill 298
Summary: Eliminates the thirty-day maximum by which manufacturer and wholesaler permittees may extend credit to retail permittees.
Sponsor(s): General Law Committee

Kansas

House Bill 2556
Summary: Allows grocery and convenient stores to sell liquor. Allows liquor stores to sell non-alcoholic products. Transitions over a 10-year period, during which no new liquor licenses will be issued. Sponsor(s): Committee on Taxation


Michigan

Senate Bill 247
Summary: Local governments may vote to allow on-sale premises to extend closing times on Saturday and Sunday from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. In these localities, retailers may obtain an extended hours permit by submitting an application to the state alcohol authority with a $10,000 yearly permit fee.
Sponsor(s): Senator Virgil Smith, Jr. (D-Detroit)


Missouri

House Bill 1166
Summary: No state or local government shall regulate the hours in which intoxicating liquor is sold is sold in St. Louis City.
Sponsor(s): Representative Michael Butler (D-St. Louis)

Washington

Senate Bill 5731
Summary: Allows beer and wine specialty shop licensees to sell products made by distillers that produce sixty thousand gallons or less of spirits per year.
Sponsor(s): Senators Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), Steve Conway (D-Parkland), Joe Fain (R-Covington)* * More than three co-sponsors


West Virginia

House Bill 4454
Summary: Extends the hours permitted for the sale of wine and other legal beverages by private clubs and the sale of wine by private wine bed and breakfasts, private wine restaurants and private wine spa licensees to include the hours between ten thirty o’clock a.m. and one o’clock p.m. on Sundays. Sponsor(s): Delegate Tim Manchin (D-Marion)

2013 BILLS



Ohio

Senate Bill 48  - Signed into law
Summary: Prohibits manufacturers from purchasing wholesalers.
Sponsor(s): Senator Troy Balderon (R-Athens)

Pennsylvania 

Governor Proposal  (Large file - 8.86 MB) 
Summary: Privatize alcohol sales.
Sponsor(s): Governor Tom Corbett

House Bill 790  
Summary: Privatize wine and liquor sales and allows for grocery stores and pharmacies to sell six-packs of beer.
Sponsor(s): Representative Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny)

House Bill 867
Summary: Provides for privatizing the wholesale and retail distribution of liquor.
Sponsor(s): Representative Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny) 
 
House Bill 1634
Summary: Provides for the privatization of liquor and wine sales.
Sponsor(s): Representative Johan Lawrence (R-Chester County)
  
Senate Bill 100  
Summary: Privatize alcohol sales
Sponsor(s): Senator Charles McIlhinney, Jr. (R-Bucks)

Senate Bill 800  
Summary: Privatize alcohol sales.
Sponsor(s): Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny) 



2013 DEAD BILLS


Missouri 

House Bill 910
Summary: Specifies that no state or local government shall regulate the hours in which intoxicating liquor is sold.
Sponsor(s): Representative Michael Butler (D-St. Louis)

2012 BILLS


Connecticut

House Bill 5021  - Signed by Governor. Effective July 1, 2012. 
Summary:  Makes various changes to the liquor control act, including expanding the days and hours for alcohol sales, including off-premises sales on Sundays. It also allows retailers who sell alcohol for off-premises consumption (off-premises retailers) to sell one item below cost each month and establishes the Competitive Alcoholic Liquor Pricing Task Force to study Connecticut's liquor permitting and pricing laws and compare them with surrounding states. Sponsor(s): Representative Christopher Donovan (D-Meriden)


2012 DEAD BILLS


No dead bills in 2012.


2011 BILLS


Kansas

Senate Bill 54
Summary: Allows for grocery stores to sell liquor as well as full strength beer and wine. Sponsor(s): Committee on Federal and State Affairs

  
New York
Senate Bill 5358 
Summary:  In part allows for liquor stores to sell non-alcoholic items and grocery and drug stores to sell wine. Wine licensees can offer wine tastings. Sponsor(s):  Senator Thomas O’Mara (R-Corning)

Assembly Bill 7659 Summary:  In part allows for liquor stores to sell non-alcoholic items and grocery and drug stores to sell wine. Wine licensees can offer wine tastings. Sponsor(s):  Joseph Morelle (D-Irondequoit)

      
Pennsylvania
  
House Bill 11
Summary: Privatizes the sale of wine and spirits and provide the establishment of a franchise and license system. Replaces the current mark-up system with taxes on wine, spirits and beer.
Sponsor(s): Representative Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny)

Washington

Initiative 1183 - Passed into law by voters on November 8, 2011. Private retailers will be able to sell spirits beginning June 1, 2012. Summary: Closes state liquor stores and sells their assets, licenses private parties to distribute and sell spirits, sets license fees, and changes wine regulation.
Sponsor(s): See Washington Secretary of State page    

Senate Bill 5942 - PASSED INTO LAW 
Summary: Privatizes the wholesale distribution of distilled spirits. Sponsor(s): Senators Mike Hewitt (R-Walla Walla) and Joseph Zarelli (R-Clark) 


*More than 3 sponsors


2011 DEAD BILLS



Hawaii

Senate Resolution 38 Summary: Requests that the Honolulu Liquor Commission reevaluate penalties levied against licensees that serve alcohol in large public facilities because licensees are in a quandry as to how to alleviate the threats of penalties for improper service of alcohol to minors.Sponsor(s): Senators Will Espero (D-District 20) and Pohai Ryan (D-District 25)

Senate Concurrent Resolution 65 Summary: Requests that the Honolulu Liquor Commission reevaluate penalties levied against licensees that serve alcohol in large public facilities because licensees are in a quandry as to how to alleviate the threats of penalties for improper service of alcohol to minors.Sponsor(s): Senators Will Espero (D-District 20) and Pohai Ryan (D-District 25)


Mississippi
Senate Bill 2064
Summary: Increases the alcohol content allowed in beer from 5% to 8% by weight.
Sponsor(s): David Baria (D-Harrison)

Senate Bill 2673
Summary: Increases the alcohol content allowed in beer from 5% to 17% by weight. Sponsor(s): Senator Deborah Jeanne Dawkins (D-Harrison)

 
Texas

House Bill 3432
Summary: Allows beer manufacturers to provide beer samples and tasting information to consumers through the use of "promotional vehicle events" at alcohol retail locations, as well as at "experiential dinners" and "sweepstakes prize events" at other licensed locations.
Sponsor(s): Representative Richard Raymond (D-Laredo)

House Bill 3437
Summary: Allowsbeer manufacturers to provide beer samples and tasting information to consumers through the use of "promotional vehicle events" at alcohol retail locations, as well as at "experiential dinners" and "sweepstakes prize events" at other licensed locations.
Sponsor(s): Representative Richard Raymond (D-Laredo)


Washington

Senate Bill 5953 
Summary: Privatize the retail sale and distribution of liquor.
Sponsor(s): Senator Sheldon (D-Mason)
  
Senate Bill 5933 
Summary: Privatizes the sale of distilled spirits.
Sponsor(s): Senators Rodney Tom (D-Clyde Hill), Tim Sheldon (D-Mason), Steve Hobbs (D-Marysville)* 

Senate Bill 5916 
Summary: Allows for the sale of liquor-related products in state liquor stores.
Sponsor(s): Senator Murray (D-Seattle) 
  
House Bill 2038 
Summary: Allows for the sale of liquor-related products in state liquor stores.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Vashon) and Jeannie Darneille (D-Tacoma) 

House Bill 2043 
Summary: Allows for the sale of liquor-related products in state liquor stores and create a pilot project for the collocation of contract liquor stores in grocery stores.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Zack Hudgins (D-Tukwila), Jeannie Darneille (D-Tacoma), Eileen Cody (D-Vashon)*

House Bill 1116Summary: Converts all state run liquor stores into contract stores. Allows for grocery stores to become liquor store contract stores.
Sponsor(s): Representatives Gary Alexander (R-Lewis) and Bruce Dammeier (R-King)
   
Senate Bill 5111
Summary: Privatizes the sale of liquor. Allows for grocery stores to become liquor franchise holders. Sponsor(s): Senators Tim Sheldon (D-Mason), Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge), Curtis King (R-Yakima)*



2010 BILLS


Federal
United States HR 5034
Summary: Congress declares that states shall continue to have the primary authority to regulate alcoholic beverages. While states cannot discriminate against out-of-state producers without justification, courts are not to limit state regulation due to any inaction by Congress to regulate alcohol at the federal level. Additionally courts are to give state alcohol laws a strong presumption of validity. If a party challenges a state alcohol law under the Commerce Clause or an act of Congress then the burden is on that that party to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the state law is inconsistent with federal law or the US Constitution. Sponsor(s): Representative Bill Delahunt (D-MA)*

Massachusetts

House Bill 4454
Summary: Repeals the sales tax on alcoholic beverages. The excise tax remains in place.
Sponsor(s):Initiative petition of Frank J. Anzalotti, presented by Representative Jay R. Kaufman (D-Middlesex)
New York

Senate Bill 67003 andAssembly Bill 41003
Summary:Allows for grocery and drug stores to sell wine. Instead of issuing licenses the State Liquor Authority (SLA) will issue medallions that confer the right of a retailer to sell wine and can be resold by the licensed party. The SLA will have authority to oversee the number of medallions issued as well as their auction and resale. The bill also allows for “complimentary” items to be sold in liquor stores, such as non-carbonated beverages and snacks. Sponsor(s):Introduced at the request of the Governor in both houses by the Committee on Rules.

Washington

Senate Bill 6840
Summary: Privatizes the retail and distribution of liquor. Directs the Liquor Control Board and Department of Revenue to recommend methods and rates of liquor taxation that will generate the same future projected revenue as under the current state control system. Sponsor(s): Senator Rodney Tom (D-Redmond)

House Bill 3189
Summary: Washington currently contracts out part of its retail liquor stores. Requires the Liquor Control Board to convert at least 20 state liquor stores to contract stores and to study whether converting the current system into a complete contract store system would be more efficient and cost-effective. Sponsor(s): Representatives Gary Alexander (R-Lewis County), Kelli Linville (D-Whatcom County), Bruce Dammeier (R-Tacoma)*

House Bill 2845 and House Bill 2890 Summary: Privatize the retail and distribution of liquor.
Sponsor(s): HB 2845 – Representatives Gary Alexander (R-Olympia), Larry Haler (R-Richland), Jay Rodne (R-North Bend)* HB 2890 – Representatives Al O’Brien (D-King County/Snohomish County) and Mike Hope (R-Snohomish County)

*More than 3 (three) sponsors




2010 DEAD BILLS


Pennsylvania

House Bill 2350
Summary: Abolishes state liquor stores. Provides for·franchise and·license for wine and spirit stores and wholesale operations. Imposes licensing fees and taxes wine at a rate of $3.50 per gallon and spirits at a rate of $6.50 per gallon.
Sponsor(s):Representative Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny County)


Washington

Senate Bill 6886
Summary: Privatizes the retail and distribution of liquor to result in a system that is more efficient than public sector retail and distribution.
Sponsor(s): Senator Tim Sheldon (D-Potlach)
Initiative Measure No. 1099
Summary: This measure would close state liquor stores; authorize sale, distribution, and importation of “spirits” by private parties under state licenses; and allow beer and wine sellers and distributors to be licensed for spirits.


2009 BILLS



Vermont

Senate Bill 200
Summary: Privatize the sale of spirituous liquors. Disband the department of liquor control and place enforcement and licensing authority with the department of public safety.
Sponsor(s): Senator Claire Ayer (D-Addison)

2009 DEAD BILLS


No dead bills in 2009.

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