Legislature(2017 - 2018)BARNES 124
05/03/2018 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB76 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 76 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 76-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL; ALCOHOL REG
4:28:00 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that the only order of business would be
SENATE BILL NO. 76, "An Act relating to alcoholic beverages;
relating to the regulation of manufacturers, wholesalers,
retailers, and common carriers of alcoholic beverages; relating
to licenses, endorsements, and permits involving alcoholic
beverages; relating to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board;
relating to offenses involving alcoholic beverages; amending
Rule 17, Alaska Rules of Minor Offense Procedure; and providing
for an effective date."
4:29:03 PM
CHAIR KITO announced that public testimony was still open from
the previous hearing.
4:29:40 PM
ANDREW CUTTING, Alaska Children's Trust, testified in support of
SB 76. He spoke to the provision regarding online sales.
4:30:51 PM
JAN HILL, Title 4 Review Steering Committee, testified in
support of SB 76. She said the state needs to regulate internet
sales of alcohol. She encouraged the committee not to lose
sight of all the good work done on the review and the proposed
bill.
4:32:35 PM
LUCAS HEGER, Skagway Spirits Distillery, testified in support of
SB 76.
4:33:15 PM
MELANIE LESH, Snug Harbor, testified in support of SB 76. She
spoke to renewal of package liquor store licenses.
4:34:49 PM
MIKE HEALY, Skagway Brewing Company, testified in the hearing on
SB 76. He said he supports the changes in the legislation. He
stated that due to the high cost of hiring a distributor, his
company had been unable to sell product to local liquor stores.
He added that by being open in the winter, the brewery has
increased the local economy.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL said he thinks small breweries can make
direct sales according to current law.
4:37:25 PM
SHERRY STEAD, Grace Ridge Brewing, testified in support of SB
76. She mentioned local events and non-profits to which the
brewery donates each year. She said clear and enforceable
regulations are needed.
4:38:32 PM
WILLIAM HOWELL testified in support of SB 76. He said it would
be a "real step forward" for breweries in Alaska.
4:39:56 PM
DOUG HOGUE, Owner, Kenai River Brewing Company, testified in
support of SB 76. He said taprooms are a social gathering place
in his town. He spoke to the considerable investment involved.
He urged the committee to update Title 4.
4:41:33 PM
RONDY MATTHEWS, BDL owner, testified in support of SB 76. She
said she would like to see completion of Title 4.
4:42:29 PM
MATT JONES, Moose's Tooth, testified in support of SB 76. He
stated he had served on the subcommittee and he thinks the
proposal would serve as framework for operators and regulators.
He spoke to the need to address the production cap.
4:43:55 PM
MIKE ALLEN testified in support of SB 76. He said he thinks
distillery tasting rooms are for offering samples of product.
He spoke to testimony stating one distillery is a venue for
local artists. He gave some suggestions, such as allowing
distilleries to offer free samples that can be mixed; not
allowing afterhours activities; and additional fees for
entertainment which would create revenue for the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board ("ABC Board").
4:46:59 PM
EVAN WOOD, Owner, Devil's Club Brewing, testified in support of
SB 76. He said the proposed bill would clarify the language in
Title 4.
4:48:01 PM
KATIE BALDWIN-JOHNSON, Mental Health Trust Authority (MHTA),
testified in support of SB 76. She described the health
benefits for beneficiaries of MHTA. She informed that the MHTA
respectfully requested passage of the proposed bill in the
current session.
4:50:38 PM
RICK ARMSTRONG, Owner, Baranof Island Brewing Company, testified
in support of SB 76. He stated he is president of the Brewer's
Guild of Alaska.
4:51:35 PM
MIKE JIPPING, Moose's Tooth Brewery, testified in support of SB
76. He said he would like to see the production cap lifted.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether Mr. Jipping's establishment
has a tasting room.
MR. JIPPING answered there is no tasting room at the brewery,
only a restaurant.
4:52:46 PM
JEFF POLIZZOTTO testified in support of SB 76. He mentioned the
changes to Title 4 that stakeholders had already agreed upon.
4:53:57 PM
MICHAEL CERVANTES, Owner, The Banks Alehouse, testified in
support of SB 76. He asked the committee to review AS 04.09.210
regarding eating place licenses. He said the language should be
reevaluated. He further spoke to his concerns regarding food
truck licensing.
4:57:03 PM
TOIVO LUICK, Owner, Hoarfrost Distillery, testified in support
of SB 76. He suggested not putting through controversial
amendments and simply moving the bill forward.
4:58:09 PM
CLARK PELTZ, Co-owner, Cynosure Brewing, testified in support of
SB 76. He spoke to the work that had gone into the Title 4
rewrite.
4:59:15 PM
KAREN BERGER, Co-owner, Homer Brewing Company, testified in
support of SB 76. She said she feels the bill has seen a lot of
compromise. She spoke to the fee schedule and the population
cap.
5:01:06 PM
PETE HANSON, President, CEO, Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant
and Retailers Association (Alaska CHARR), testified in support
of SB 76. He mentioned that manufacturers represent around two
percent of the total licenses in the state. He said he would
like to see a level playing field across all licenses.
5:03:40 PM
ROY MARENCO, Girdwood Brewing Company, testified in support of
SB 76.
5:04:34 PM
JOEL PROBST, Klondike Brewing, testified in support of SB 76.
He said he thinks the proposed bill does a good job of updating
Title 4. He pointed out that the cost of licenses is $300,000
only on the private market. He said the cost of a BDL biannual
license is $2,500 currently.
5:06:07 PM
JOEL LOOSLI testified in support of SB 76 as written. He said
he thinks Alaska's current laws are fairly antiquated and he
appreciates the effort to modernize them.
5:07:10 PM
MARK STAPLES, Midnight Sun Brewing Company, testified in support
of SB 76.
5:07:56 PM
EDMOND MINER, Gakona Brewing Company, testified in support of SB
76 in its current form.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether Mr. Miner had testified in
Senate Labor and Commerce Committee bill hearings in support of
the proposed bill in its current form.
MR. MINER replied in the affirmative.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked whether he had testified about
removing the 80/20 rule.
MR. MINER answered in the affirmative.
5:09:45 PM
PATRICK LEVY, Fairbanks Distillery Company, testified in
opposition to SB 76. He queried why distillery licenses needed
to be so complicated. He stated that as a member of the
public, he can invite restaurant-owner friends to his home to
showcase product but cannot do the same on his premises. He
added distilleries do not compete with bars. He said his
distillery is an attraction that helps the whole community.
REPRESENTATIVE STUTES asked Mr. Levy whether he sells samples at
his distillery.
MR. LEVY answered that he does sell mixed drinks. He added that
with SB 76 he would have to buy a sampling permit to give out
samples.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL spoke to fees for tasting rooms. He said
the tasting endorsement is $200 for 2 years.
MR. LEVY replied that it was cheapest license, but he would also
have to purchase a retail license and a wholesale license. He
added the price of his current license would go up with the
proposed legislation.
5:13:53 PM
CHAIR KITO closed public testimony on SB 76.
[SB 76 was held over.]
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