Direct shipment in Texas - SB 770 filed

[hotwine]

Hooray! Just received an email from a lady on the staff of state Sen. Frank Madla, with an attached copy of his SB 770 allowing direct shipment in Texas. The bill has already been submitted. If approved, it will allow adult Texas residents to receive up to three gallons of wine per month via direct shipment from in-state, out of state, and international vendors who obtain a $100 permit and agree to collect applicable taxes on behalf of the state. The permit is to be annually renewable for a $25 fee.

Senator Madla is a local fellow, very highly regarded throughout the state. We couldn't ask for a better sponsor for this legislation. Keepin' fingers & toes crossed.

Full text of the bill is available in pdf format at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/tlo/textframe.cmd?LEG=78&SESS=R&CHAMBER=S&BILLTYPE=B&BILLSUFFIX=00770&VERSION=1&TYPE=B

[winoweenie]

You lucky suckers! Ours is still stalled. WW

[Georgie]

Lucky you, HW! Sure wish NJ would get on the ball!

[June]

I'm certainly glad the bill has been introduced, but do you really think it might pass? The distributors have a pretty strong hand in there, not only in Texas, but around the country.

It would surely be nice if it passes.

[hotwine]

Have no idea about its chances for passage. The wholesalers' lobby is indeed very strong, and they will be out in force to prevent this bill from becoming law.

[June]

I know Texas, as well as other states, has been earning some medals in international competitions. It would be great if people around the country could have access to the wines as not all those small wineries have distributors. It's discouraging to visit a winery, say in Wisconsin (for example, Wollersheim, mmm, their Prairie Fume! Or Breaux in Virginia), only to learn you cannot get their wine elsewhere.

Now Texas needs to educate the other states as to how they can accomplish this feat!