Committee advances bill to expand distillers' tasting-room privileges after contested debate

Senate Bill 132, as presented to the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee, would expand tasting-room (sales room) privileges for distillers, raise the number of off-site sales rooms available to distillers, and allow distilleries—if they secure a state-issued permit—to offer some alcohol products acquired from wholesalers at tasting-room locations. Sponsors said the changes are a limited, targeted relief for craft distillers facing shrinking retail channels and drops in whiskey sales.

Senator (sponsor) described the bill as a narrower fix for craft distillers who "are against the ropes," saying the measure cannot address excise-tax disparities or larger retail conflicts but can "enhance the viability of sales rooms" so distillers can reach customers. The bill as introduced would have allowed up to five sales rooms; sponsors accepted an amendment (L005) to reduce that expansion to three sites. A second amendment (L008) converted the…