Committee advances bill to create wine direct‑shipper license and regulate direct shipments to Arkansas residents
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Summary
House Bill 14‑76 would establish a wine direct‑shipper license, set modest fees, require tax and excise collection, limit quantities, and bar shipments into dry counties; the House Rules Committee gave the bill a due‑pass recommendation as amended.
Representative Bridal McKenzie presented House Bill 14‑76 to the House Rules Committee, saying the bill would modernize Arkansas’s direct‑shipment law by creating a wine direct‑shipper license and a regulatory framework for wineries and suppliers to ship wine directly to Arkansas consumers.
“This creates a wine direct shipper license,” Representative Bridal McKenzie said, explaining the licensing and reporting requirements and the fee structure. McKenzie told the committee the bill sets fees at $50 for initial registration and $25 for annual renewal, requires a signature by someone age 21 or older on delivery, and prohibits shipments into dry counties. The bill also requires direct shippers to collect applicable sales and excise taxes and to report annual shipping volumes to the ABC division.
McKenzie said the bill replaces an older registration system and is intended to bring Arkansas into alignment with most other states. “Arkansas is one of three states that remain in the union that don’t allow for any direct shipment of wine,” McKenzie said, arguing the measure would expand consumer access while preserving tax collection and underage‑sales safeguards.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about delivery verification, what wines would be eligible, and whether the bill had drawn opposition from wholesalers, retailers and wineries. McKenzie said the bill includes a brand registry intended to protect brands already handled under distribution agreements and that the measure is aimed principally at small producers and niche wines rather than mass‑market labels.
Robbie Vogel, who identified himself as the founder of Arkansas Wine and Spirits Wholesale, testified in support and thanked McKenzie for meeting stakeholders and producing what he called a “good compromise.” The committee adopted an amendment offered during the hearing; the sponsor explained the amendment was intended to address industry concerns raised during stakeholder meetings.
After discussion, the committee approved the bill as amended by voice vote and gave it a due‑pass recommendation. Committee members said the bill balances expanding consumer access with tax and compliance safeguards, and includes limits intended to prevent large‑scale direct shipments from undermining in‑state distribution.
Votes at a glance: Committee adopted an amendment by voice vote and then approved HB 14‑76 as amended by voice vote; the transcript records the actions as passed but does not list a roll‑call tally.
