Senate rejects bill to allow direct-to-consumer wine shipments after floor debate

The Mississippi State Senate voted down a proposal to allow direct shipment of wine to state residents after extended debate over taxes, impacts on local package stores and safeguards against underage delivery. The bill, presented by Senator England as a committee substitute with a later “strike-all” amendment, would have required out-of-state wine manufacturers to obtain a direct-wine-shipper permit, report quarterly to the Department of Revenue and limit shipments to 12 nine-liter cases per year per address.

Senator England, explaining the substitute and later amendment on the floor, said the measure would require direct shippers to label packages as alcohol, obtain an adult signature on delivery, maintain records for three years and consent to Mississippi jurisdiction for enforcement. “This is a bill that allows a direct shipment of wine to consumers…