Senate approves limited direct shipment of certain wines, credits state with 15.5% tax

The Senate voted to reinstate and pass legislation permitting direct shipment of certain out-of-state wines that are not otherwise available through in-state distributors or are subject to limited allocations, with the state to collect a 15.5% tax on those sales. The measure passed on a roll call vote, 24–14.

Senator England, who explained the motion to reconsider and the amendments, said the change applies only to wines "that are not available in the state of Mississippi" or that are subject to limited allocations until the state allocation is exhausted. After those limited allocations run out, England said, the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agency would produce a list of those wines eligible for direct shipment.

"This does not include any wines that are currently available in the state of Mississippi," England said, adding that the amendment addressed concerns about harm to in-state retailers. "So we have limited this to where there is no risk of any of our mom and pop stores losing money," he said.

During floor questions, Senator Parker asked whether a nine-case limit in the bill could be applied across multiple distributors and whether shipments could be addressed to locations such as churches. England replied that the bill, as interpreted by the sponsor, did not permit shipment to churches and that the case-limit interpretation would not allow multiple distributors to circumvent the limit. Parker said she had read the language differently and remained opposed.

Proponents argued the change would restore a revenue stream previously lost when residents ordered limited-allocation wines out of state. England noted a 15.5% tax would be collected on shipments now allowed into Mississippi rather than being purchased across state lines.

The measure won final passage by a roll call vote of 24 in favor and 14 opposed. The bill now moves forward under legislative process rules for the next steps.