The Honorable Mark Johnson, Chairman, House Commerce and Labor Committee (April 18, 2023)
Summary
A letter dated April 18, 2023, addressed to Chairman Mark Johnson of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, states the support of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) for HB 86. It says HB 86 would raise the microdistillery production limit from the current 100,000 gallons annually to one million gallons annually. It also says HB 86 would repeal the requirement that a $0.50 fee be assessed on each sample at tastings. The letter closes with the name Andy Deloney, Senior Vice President and Head of State Public Policy.
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“The Honorable Mark Johnson, Chairman, House Commerce and Labor Committee (April 18, 2023).”
Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2023-04-18-commerce-labor-testimony-oh-hb86-supportletter-2023-04-18-17b8c66acb/
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April 18, 2023 The Honorable Mark Johnson Chairman, House Commerce and Labor Committee 77 South High Street 12th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Dear Chairman Johnson: On behalf of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), the national trade association representing the leading producers and marketers of distilled spirits sold in the United States, I am pleased to offer our support for HB 86 to increase microdistillery production limits and remove the fee requirement for tasting samples. HB 86 proposes to increase the production limit for microdistillery licenses from the current 100,000 gallons annually to one million gallons annually. While DISCUS in principle does not support any production limits on distilleries, we believe HB 86 is a step in the right direction to remove an artificial barrier on Ohio distilleries who are looking to grow their businesses. The current limit places a glass ceiling on the burgeoning in-state industry that should be lifted to encourage growth and innovation. Other provisions in HB 86 repeal the requirement that a $0.50 fee be assessed on each sample at tastings events held at agency stores. 45 states allow consumer tastings at off-premise retail locations and nearly all of them allow samples to be offered without a fee to consumers. There are currently more 15,000 distilled spirits products on the market in the United States, and hundreds of new brands are marketed each year. Tastings are an extremely effective way to encourage responsible adult consumers to try and ultimately choose new beverage alcohol products, as well as to select existing brands that may be new to these consumers. State law places appropriate limits on the number of samples per person (no more than four samples of ¼ ounce each) and length and frequency of these events to ensure they are conducted in a responsible manner. We encourage you to update Ohio’s law to remove the antiquated fee associated with tastings. Thank you for your consideration in supporting Ohio distillers and the greater hospitality industry through the changes proposed in HB 86. Sincerely, Andy Deloney Senior Vice President and Head of State Public Policy cc: Members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee
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