Vermont H 647: An act relating to vinous beverage manufacturers and fourth-class licenses

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.647
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VT LEG #385889 v.1
H.647 1
Introduced by Representative Boyden of Cambridge 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Alcoholic beverages; licensing; fourth-class licenses; manufacturer’s 5
or rectifier’s license; tasting rooms and retail shops; first-class 6
licensed locations at manufacturing facility 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to allow the 8
holder of a fourth-class license to serve customers larger total volumes of 9
alcoholic beverages at a tasting room or retail shop operated by the licensee. 10
This bill also proposes to allow manufacturers of vinous beverages to operate 11
not more than two first-class licensed establishments that are located at the 12
licensed manufacturing facility or on property that is owned by the licensee 13
and contiguous with the parcel of land on which the licensed manufacturing 14
facility is located. 15
An act relating to vinous beverage manufacturers and fourth-class licenses 16
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 17
Sec. 1. 7 V.S.A. § 224 is amended to read: 18
§ 224. FOURTH-CLASS LICENSES 19
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BILL AS INTRODUCED H.647
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VT LEG #385889 v.1
(b) At each licensed location, a fourth-class licensee may sell by the 1
unopened container or distribute by the glass, with or without charge, alcoholic 2
beverages manufactured by the licensee. 3
(1) A licensee may, for consumption at the licensed premises or 4
location, distribute the following amounts of alcoholic beverages to a retail 5
customer: 6
(A) at a farmer’s market location, not more than: 7
(i) two ounces of malt beverages, vinous beverages, or ready-to-8
drink spirits beverages with a total of eight ounces; and 9
(B)(ii) no more than one-quarter ounce of spirits or fortified wine 10
with a total of one ounce; or 11
(B) at a tasting room and retail shop, not more than: 12
(i) an aggregate total of 16 ounces of malt beverages or hard cider; 13
(ii) an aggregate total of 12 ounces of vinous beverages or ready-14
to-drink spirits beverages; and 15
(iii) one-quarter ounce of spirits or fortified wine with a total of 16
two ounces. 17
* * * 18
Sec. 2. 7 V.S.A. § 271 is amended to read: 19
§ 271. MANUFACTURER’S OR RECTIFIER’S LICENSE 20
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VT LEG #385889 v.1
(d)(1) The Board of Liquor and Lottery may grant to a licensed 1
manufacturer or rectifier a first-class license or a third-class license, or both, 2
permitting the licensee to sell alcoholic beverages to the public at an 3
establishment located at the manufacturer’s or rectifier’s licensed facility, 4
provided the manufacturer or rectifier owns or has direct control over that 5
establishment. 6
(2) A licensed manufacturer of malt beverages or vinous beverages may 7
operate up to two licensed establishments pursuant to this subsection that are 8
located at the licensed manufacturing facility or on property that is owned by 9
the licensee and is contiguous with the parcel of land on which the licensed 10
manufacturing facility is located, provided the manufacturer owns or has direct 11
control over both establishments. 12
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Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 14
This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026. 15