Alcohol Beverage Festival For Tastings And Sales

The act authorizes the following alcohol beverage licensees to obtain a festival permit, which would allow the licensees to hold festivals where they may conduct joint tastings and engage in any retail operations authorized by their licenses or permits:

• A beer and wine licensee;
• A hotel and restaurant licensee;
• A tavern licensee;
• A brew pub licensee;
• A vintner's restaurant licensee;
• A distillery pub licensee;
• A winery or limited winery licensee;
• A spirits manufacturer; and
• A beer manufacturer.

Local licensing authorities may create a permitting process for these festivals. Licensees may obtain a permit to hold up to 9 festivals in 12 months, with each festival lasting no longer than 72 hours. Other licensees may participate in the festival.

The act appropriates $511,210 to the department of revenue from the liquor enforcement division and state licensing authority cash fund to implement the act.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)