Legislation

A bill to repeal a Prohibition-era law that prevents the U.S. Postal Service from shipping alcoholic beverages to consumers was introduced in the House.  WineAmerica said the bill was critical in leveling the playing field and increasing consumer and manufacturer choice while bringing in millions of dollars in revenue

The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved bipartisan legislation increasing the gross vehicle weight (GVW) for six-axle trucks to a maximum of 91,000 pounds. The action was praised by Beer Institute, which noted that it would institute a voluntary, opt-in five-year pilot program, with an option

A coalition of small business owners has launched the Garden State Liquor Retailers Association.  It's dedicated to safeguarding the interest of family-owned businesses, particularly off-premise minority and immigrant entrepreneurs. It supports keeping teh current limit on the number of liquor licenses and one individual or entity can own

The measure, which has been introduced in the state legislature, would allow grocery stores to sell wine as well as beer.  Liquor stores oppose the measure, warning it would "devastate our small community businesses, increase underage drinking, contribute to premature deaths, and help Amazon/Whole Foods and other large

A new alliance of trade associations, retailers, business owners and individual consumers, Coalition for Convenient Sales, is advocating to expand access to spirits-based ready-to-drink products. Coalition members include Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Distilled Spirits Council, and National Federation of

The Montana House passed, 81-13, and sent to Gov Greg Gianforte a bill that would allow the sale of distilled spirits from state agency liquor stores on Sunday and Monday.  The measure previously passed the Senate. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. urged Gianforte to sign the measure.

The Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill which would make cocktails-to-go permanent and sent the bill to the Senate for consideration. “We are grateful to representatives who voted to approve cocktails to-go,” said Andy Deloney, senior vp and head of state public policy at the Distilled Spirits Council of

A bill introduced in the Washington State Senate to loweer the threshhold for getting arrested for DWI to 0.5BAC from 0.8% BAC died despite being supported by Gov. Jay Inslee. Proponents argued the lower limit would sav e lives, and asserted the prospect of more money flowing to

Some 75% of Texans support a proposal to change the law to let licensed retailers sell ready-to-drink spirit coolers at the same places as beer, wine and hard seltzers, with 70% feeling strongly enough about the issue to be willing to participate at the ballot box to ensure it happens,

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey for signing a bill that extends cocktails to-go for one year. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. applauded the move.  “Cocktails to-go have become a regular part of take-out dining in Massachusetts, and  consumers and businesses have become accustomed to this convenient option,” said