ALCOHOL SAMPLING & TASTING                                                                    H.B. 4559:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4559 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Tom Barrett

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to do the following:

-- Allow a wholesaler or manufacturer to give samples of beer or wine to an employee of the wholesaler if all of the following applied: the sampling was for the purpose of educating the employee regarding the beer or wine, the employee was at least 21 years of age, and the sampling took place on the licensed premises of the wholesaler.

-- Allow a "vendor that is a manufacturer", rather than "manufacturers", to give away alcoholic liquor for on-premises consumption in connection with its business.

-- Specify that a provision that prohibits a vendor from giving away alcoholic liquor would not prevent the holder of a farmer's market permit or a retailer licensed for on-premises consumption from conducting a tasting or sampling authorized under the Code.

-- Specify that the prohibition would not prevent a person from conducting a consumer sampling event authorized under the Code.

MCL 436.2025                                                         Legislative Analyst:  Drew Krogulecki

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  6-9-17                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.