Representative Sarah Hoadley introduced House Bill 5059 to clarify that licensed spirit vendors may offer custom bottle engraving services under regulated conditions. The bill would not change who may sell spirits or where they may be sold, sponsors said; it would only allow an added-value engraving service by vendors.

Tony Mitchell, representing the Michigan Spirits Association, said engraving is widely used in other states and is a value-added retail service for weddings, holidays and events. “Consumers look forward to this value added service that generates incremental sales for the brands and for the state of Michigan,” Mitchell said, and noted suppliers invest in engraving machines (often more than $10,000 each) and mobile vans to perform engravings at events.

Mitchell told the committee spirits generate roughly $600,000,000 in economic activity annually in Michigan and said the bill would codify a common retail practice and provide legal clarity. He said bottles intended for a specific inscription must be sold before engraving; the bill would also allow engraved bottles to be prepared for sale in advance under certain conditions.

Committee members asked whether out‑of‑state engraving or shipping is a workaround; Mitchell said the practice has occurred but the bill would clean up the existing gray area. Several industry groups filed support cards and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission reviewed the measure and provided staff for questions if needed. No committee vote appears in the transcript.