Committee prints bill to let Konig Distillery sell drinks on-site

Senator Brandon Shippy presented RS32988C1 to the Senate State Affairs committee, asking the body to print a bill that would grant Konig Distillery a specialty liquor license permitting sales of liquor "by the drink" for brands the distillery owns.

Shippy described Konig as a small, family-owned distillery that uses fruit from its own orchards and purchases locally. He told the committee the distillery currently can sell only by the bottle and — because it sits outside city limits — cannot obtain a city-issued on-premise license, creating a competitive disadvantage compared with city distilleries that can purchase quota-based licenses. "This legislation would grant Konig Distillery a specialty liquor license able to sell liquor by the drink from brands that the distillery owns," Shippy said.

Under the draft language Shippy quoted, the distillery would pay a $400 fee, would not be required to serve cooked food to offer drinks, and an officer, agent or employee would not be prohibited from holding an interest in the business. The bill would permit anyone 21 or older to enter and remain on the licensed premises, similar to current allowances for wineries, breweries and arenas.

Shippy said the legislation was drafted in consultation with the Idaho State Police and the alcohol beverage control authorities, that several legislators had toured the facility last year, and that he was not aware of any opposition. Senator Harris moved to send RS32988C1 to print and the motion was seconded; the committee signaled "aye" and the motion carried.

The committee recorded the action by voice vote; no individual roll-call was recorded in the transcript.