DIRECT DELIVERY BILL PASSES TO A SENATE COMMITTEE IN MARYLAND

Last week the Maryland state senate passed legislation that would let small in-state and out-of-state wineries producing less than 40,000 gallons sell directly to retailers and restaurants. The Comptroller William Donald Schaefer had allotted for wineries to use wholesalers beginning June 1, but vocal lobbying by winery owners pushed the state towards further review. The Senate bill now moves to the House Economic Matters Committee while the House version of the bill has been sitting in committee since March 6. A competing bill favoring wholesalers that would sign Schaefer’s ruling into a law is still in a Senate committee.