Senate Substitute for HB 2124 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Permitting beer and hard cider sales by microbreweries to retailers, public venues, clubs, drinking establishments, holders of temporary permits and caterers and allowing such sales at special events to consumers.
Impact
The impact of HB 2124 on state laws is notable, as it amends several existing sections of the Kansas liquor control statutes. It enhances the ability of microbreweries to operate by allowing the sale of their products to various entities, including retailers and public venues, while also enforcing stricter regulations on pricing and discrimination in distribution. Furthermore, the legislation includes provisions for issuing temporary permits for the sale of alcoholic liquor at events, thus facilitating the sale of these products in unlicensed premises under regulated circumstances. This change represents a shift toward greater accessibility and flexibility for microbreweries operating within the state.
Summary
House Bill 2124 introduces significant updates to the laws governing alcoholic liquor, particularly focusing on the regulation of microbreweries and the sale of beer and hard cider. One of the key provisions of the bill is the directive for the Secretary of Revenue and the Director of Alcoholic Beverage Control to conduct studies on the compliance of microbreweries with existing state regulations regarding the collection and remittance of alcoholic liquor enforcement taxes and gallonage taxes. These studies aim to ensure that microbreweries adhere to the taxation framework, which is integral to the state's monitoring and fiscal accountability regarding alcoholic beverages.
Sentiment
Overall, the sentiment surrounding HB 2124 seems cautiously optimistic among microbreweries and their supporters. They anticipate that the bill will fuel growth within the craft beverage industry, enabling more direct sales to consumers and public venues while ensuring compliance with tax regulations. However, there remain concerns among some stakeholders about the potential regulatory burdens introduced by the mandated studies and compliance measures. Opponents of the bill may view these requirements as an unnecessary hurdle that microbreweries must navigate, potentially discouraging new entrants to the market.
Contention
Notable points of contention within the discussions of HB 2124 include the timing and depth of the proposed studies, as well as the implications for existing microbreweries and their distribution practices. Arguments have been made that the studies should not delay the expansion of microbrewery operations, which are seen as economic drivers in local communities. Furthermore, the concern exists regarding how rigorously enforcement will be applied, especially considering the variety of sales channels and licensing models utilized by microbreweries. Consequently, the bill serves to spark debate over the balance between regulation for safety and compliance versus fostering economic growth in a burgeoning industry.
Permitting beer and hard cider sales by microbreweries to retailers, public venues, clubs, drinking establishments, holders of temporary permits and caterers and allowing such sales at special events to consumers.
Exempting charitable raffle prizes of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages from the Kansas liquor control act, the club and drinking establishment act and the Kansas cereal malt beverage act; amending the spirits, wine and beer distributors law regulating samples; requiring monthly remittance of gallonage taxes regarding special order shipping of wine; allowing businesses to sell cereal malt beverage by the drink on Sundays without requiring that 30% of the gross receipts of such businesses be derived from the sale of food; permitting food establishments to allow dogs in outside areas on the premises and food establishments that are microbreweries to allow dogs in outside and inside areas on the premises notwithstanding certain provisions of the Kansas food code; amending the common consumption area law to permit rather than require roads be blocked and allowing designation of such areas by signage.
Permitting food establishments to allow dogs in outside areas and microbreweries to allow dogs in outside and inside areas, allowing microbreweries to sell beer with a limited alcohol content as cereal malt beverage.
Authorizing home delivery of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverage by licensed retailers, drinking establishments and third-party delivery services.
Transferring the licensure of on-premise cereal malt beverage retailers and off-premise cereal malt beverage retailers from cities and counties to the alcoholic beverage control division of the department of revenue; allowing continued local licensure by cities or counties.
Senate Substitute for HB 2170 by Committee on Federal and State Affairs - Creating the donor intent protection act to provide enforcement of donor-imposed restrictions on philanthropic gifts of endowment funds or to endowment funds.
Permitting beer and hard cider sales by microbreweries to retailers, public venues, clubs, drinking establishments, holders of temporary permits and caterers and allowing such sales at special events to consumers.
Authorizing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue certain licenses to persons convicted of certain felonies if such conviction is more than 10 years old.
Authorizing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor to persons convicted of a felony if such conviction is more than 10 years old.
Authorizing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor to persons convicted of a felony if such conviction is more than 10 years old.
Transferring the licensure of on-premise cereal malt beverage retailers and off-premise cereal malt beverage retailers from cities and counties to the alcoholic beverage control division of the department of revenue; allowing continued local licensure by cities or counties.