Legislation

A bill introduced in the Texas legislature would allow spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, where they are currently illegal.   “In Texas, beer- and wine-based RTDs can be sold in more than 30,000 locations, including grocery and convenience stores,” said Rep. Justin Holland (R)

The Washington State Senate Labor & Commerece Committee unanimously approved a bill to reduce the tax burden of spirits ready to drink cocktails.   Currently, spirits-based RTDs are taxed 55 times higher than malt-/beer-based seltzers despite having the same or similar alcohol content. “Ready-to-drink cocktails are becoming increasingly popular, and

"It's time to can outdated alcohol laws," Chris Swonger, DISCUS president/CEO, told the DISCUS economic impact briefing. Some 86% of consumers agree spirits RTDs should be sold where beer/malt and wine RTDs are sold, he said, adding legislators are looking to create a more

A bill to cut state-level taxes on spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails nearly 60% was introduced in the Arizona House.  The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. applauded the introduction. saying: “It is past time for Arizona to do right by small businesses and consumers and provide fairer tax treatment for

The Mississippi House passed and sent to the Senate a bill allowing Sunday sales of distilled spirits products in communities that approve it. Mississippi is one of only seven states in the country that still prohibits the retail sale of distilled spirits on Sundays, meaning consumers will be unable to

Connecticut legislators are considering a bill removing the sunset date of June 5, 2024, on current law allowing on-premise licensees to sell distilled spirits and mixed drinks with a food purchase.  The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. urged passage of the measure. “Cocktails to-go were allowed on a