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April 24, 2017
Dear Wine Lovers,
We have some legislative updates to share with you, and some specific requests for action.
New York: new bill proposes retailer-to-consumer shipments
As you probably know, New York currently allows winery-to-consumer shipments but prohibits direct shipments from out of state retailers to New Yorkers. But a new bill (Assembly Bill 5991, and its companion, Senate Bill 5330) would overturn the existing ban and allow licensed out-of-state retailers to ship directly to New York consumers.
While the bills would only allow shipments from retailers located in one of the 14 other states that also allow retailer-to-consumer shipping, it is a step in the right direction. For example, it would allow shipments from retailers in California, Oregon and Virginia that also allow out-of-state retailer shipping, but not from Florida or New Jersey where it is prohibited.
- New Yorkers: Please help us support this expansion of consumer choice by visiting our website and sending a message to your state representatives. Here’s the link: http://capwiz.com/freegrapes/issues/alert/?alertid=76867626
New Jersey: seeking new bill
Industry lobbyists are working to get a new bill introduced to eliminate the existing capacity cap that prevents wineries and wine companies with aggregate production exceeding 250,000 gallons from direct shipments. A separate bill (Assembly Bill 4656) has been introduced that seeks to remove the capacity cap but only allows shipments of “reserve” wines which they define as wines not available in New Jersey through wholesale channels. We do not support this restriction.
- New Jersey wine lovers can see our update here: http://capwiz.com/freegrapes/issues/alert/?alertid=74097626
And a special shout out to all of you who have joined our New Jersey chapter at www.facebook.com/FreetheGrapesNewJersey Thank you!
Delaware: where’s the bill?
Over the past year, a task force of all segments of the wine industry, led by state legislators, has reviewed winery-to-consumer direct shipping and drafted acceptable shipping legislation. However, Delaware wholesalers, unions and retailers remain opposed to any form of DTC shipping. As you may have read, we are asking DE legislators, “Where is the bill?”
- Delaware voters can click on the following link to our website—please take two minutes to send a message to your state legislators: http://capwiz.com/freegrapes/issues/alert/?alertid=76776626
Arkansas: terrible bill passes offering little improvement for DTC shipments
Arkansas currently has an almost unworkable law requiring wineries to obtain a permit that allows them to ship only to AR consumers making an in-person purchase at the winery. House Bill 1463, which was signed by the governor last month, makes some minor changes that will benefit primarily in-state wineries. Under the new law, wineries producing less than 250,000 gallons that hold both a DTC shipping license and a license to self-distribute their wine to retailers, can apply for a permit to allow them to do non-face-to-face shipments. The problem? Only a handful of local wineries meet these qualifications, and only 5 new licenses will be issued via a lottery in the future. This is not the fix that was needed to service Arkansas consumers, as almost all out-of-state wineries will have to abide by the old unworkable statute.
Minnesota: wholesalers seeking to overturn DTC
House Bill 791 and its companion, Senate Bill 1418, look to replace DTC statutes with unacceptable provisions, including maintaining the two case shipment limit.
Oklahoma: keeping up the support
As previously reported, Free the Grapes! is encouraging our friends in OK to continue writing their legislators with a simple message: support plans in 2017 to introduce favorable legislation. Here is a link to the update.
If your state bans shipments and is not mentioned in this update, rest assured we are keeping our eyes on it.
Thanks for your continued support for consumer choice in wine!
Free the Grapes!
2700 Napa Valley Corporate Dr. Suite H, Napa, CA 94558 | 707.254.1107 | fedup@freehthegrapes.org 