TASTING ROOMS                                                                                                                                                                                     S.B. 49:

                                                                                                                                                SUMMARY AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

Senate Bill 49 (as passed by the Senate)

Sponsor:   Senator Kimberly LaSata

Committee:   Regulatory Reform

Date Completed:   3-4-21

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow an on-premises tasting room permit and an off-premises tasting room license to be held in conjunction at the same location by the same person if certain conditioners were met.  

The Code allows the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) to approve a licensed manufacturer to operate one or more tasting rooms.

An approved tasting room located on the manufacturing premises of one or more manufacturers that are owned by the same person and whose manufacturing premises share the same address must comply with certain requirements, including that the MLCC approve and issue an on-premises tasting room permit to the manufacturer or manufacturers.

An approved tasting room located off the manufacturing premises of one or more manufacturers, other than a brewer, micro brewer, or mixed spirit drink manufacturer, that are owned by the same person and whose manufacturing premises share the same address must comply with certain requirements, including that the MLCC approve and issue an off-premises tasting room license to the manufacturer or manufacturers.

Under the bill, an on-premises tasting room permit and an off-premises tasting room license could be held in conjunction at the same location by the same person if either of the following conditions were met:

 --        The person held the on-premises tasting room permit in conjunction with a brewer or micro brewer license only and no other manufacturing license, and the off-premises tasting room license at the same location.

 --        The person held an on-premises tasting room permit in conjunction with a micro brewer, small distiller, or small wine maker license, or any combination of micro brewer, small distiller, or small wine maker license, and the off-premises tasting room license at the same location; and the MLCC issued to the person both the on-premises permit and the off-premises license, or their equivalent at the time of issuance, before October 1, 2018.

MCL 436.1536                                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Christian Schmidt

FISCAL IMPACT

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

                                                                                                                                                    Fiscal Analyst:   Elizabeth Raczkowski

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.