Proponent Testimony on HB 669 - David E. Wojnar, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (May 28, 2020)

Summary

Proponent testimony for HB 669 by David E. Wojnar of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, dated May 28, 2020, addressed to the House Commerce & Labor Committee. It states that the Council is the national trade association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States and supports legislation to make permanent Governor DeWine's Executive Order permitting on premise establishments to sell "cocktails to go." The testimony cites the National Restaurant Association for restaurant sales down 78% in the first few weeks of the nationwide lockdown and for restaurants laying off 86% of employees. It states that cocktails to go has been approved in over 30 states and lists responsibility measures.

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                      House Commerce & Labor Committee
                         Proponent Testimony for HB 669
            David E. Wojnar, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States
                                     May 28, 2020

Chair Manning, Vice Chair Dean, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, and members of the House
Commerce & Labor Committee...

•   I am writing on behalf of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the national trade
    association representing producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United
    States, in support of HB 669, legislation that would make permanent Governor DeWine’s
    Executive Order which permits on premise establishments to sell “cocktails to go”.
•   Thousands of hospitality businesses across Ohio including restaurants, taverns, bars,
    distilleries and their retail sales operations and tasting rooms have been closed for several
    weeks. According to the National Restaurant Association, sales at restaurants were down
    78% in the first few weeks of the nationwide lockdown, causing restaurants to lay off 86%
    of employees. Clearly, this has had a devastating impact on the thousands of people
    employed by on-premises establishments in Ohio.
•   Cocktails to go has become a much needed lifeline for struggling on premise locations and
    has now been approved in over 30 states across the country with New Jersey and Illinois
    becoming the most recent states whose legislatures have passed legislation to extend this
    much needed business friendly measure.

MAINTAINING RESPONSIBILITY MEASURES WITH COCKTAILS TO-GO

•   The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and to encouraging adults who
    choose to drink to do so in moderation. We strongly support tough laws and enforcement
    that crack down on all impaired driving.
•   Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. In accordance with state laws, no one
    should be consuming alcohol while in a motor vehicle. That is why we encourage reasonable
    standards for containers used in cocktails to-go.
•   Restaurants and bars are continuing responsible practices including ensuring patrons have
    valid identification verifying that they are 21 years or older.
•   eTIPS Off Premise and Delivery provides delivery personnel with strategies and guidelines to
    protect against sales to underage and/or intoxicated customers. TIPS – (www.gettips.com) a
    nationally recognized expert in alcohol server training – has created A Guide for Alcohol
    Delivery and Carry Out (https://getti.ps/3c5V5aF).


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