s_blt_2017a_2017-02-14t10:10:27z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/14/2017

Location: SCR 354

11:20 AM -- SB 17-134



Senator Tate introduced Senate Bill 17-134, concerning the exclusion of certain areas of an alcohol beverage licensee's operations in the application of penalties for certain violations. Under current law, when the state or local licensing authority suspends a liquor license, the licensee may petition to pay a fine instead of serving the suspension. If the petition is approved by the state or local licensing authority, the fine amount is equivalent to 20 percent of a liquor licensee's estimated gross revenue from the sale of alcohol during a proposed license suspension, except that is must range from $200 to $5000. For specified licensees operating a sales room or retail establishment in addition to either manufacturing or wholesaling activities that violate the prohibition on serving to a person under 21 years of age or someone visibly intoxicated, the bill stipulates that:



the fine assessed may not be based on the estimated gross revenue from any manufacturing or wholesale activities;

the fine must still range from $200 to $5000; and

a suspension of the license must not extend to the manufacturing or wholesaling activities of the licensee.





11:23 AM -- Tommy Bibliowicz, Colorado Brewers Guild, Four Noses Brewing, spoke in support of the bill.



11:26 AM -- Stephanie Fransen, Colorado Association of Viticulture and Enology, spoke in support of the bill.



11:27 AM -- Kara Miller, Colorado Distillers Guild, spoke in support of the bill.



11:29 AM -- Ron Kammerzell, Colorado Department of Revenue, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



11:37 AM -- Laura Long, Colorado Brewers Guild, spoke in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



11:42 AM



Senator Tate made closing comments on the merits of the bill. He discussed amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments D and E).



170214 AttachD.pdf170214 AttachE.pdf