News Archive
Impact of Retaliatory Tariffs on American Whiskeys Accelerates
The Distilled Spirits Council today released a new report showing the negative impact of the retaliatory tariffs on American Whiskeys is accelerating, particularly to the European Union (EU), according to full year 2018 export data. Last month, at its Annual Economic Briefing, the Council reported the imposition of retaliatory tariffs beginning in June 2018 caused American […]
Read MoreWest Virginia Strikes Down Sunday Liquor Sales Ban
Beginning this weekend, West Virginians can purchase a bottle of spirits any day of the week, under a new law signed today by Governor Jim Justice repealing the state’s Prohibition-era ban on Sunday liquor sales. “More and more states are rolling back these outdated Sunday sales bans to modernize their alcohol laws and increase consumer […]
Read MoreVirginia Governor Signs Statewide Alcohol Sales Bill
Requires 31 Dry or Partially Dry Counties to Opt-Out by Referendum Virginia Governor Ralph Northam today signed into law SB 1110 , which makes the entire state “wet” but allows localities to opt-out of alcohol sales by referendum, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. The new law applies to 31 counties that are “dry” or “partially […]
Read MoreTexas Senate Bill Would Repeal Unconstitutional Loophole and Promote a Free Market for Package Store Ownership
Legislation introduced in the Texas Senate would remove a decades-old anticompetitive and unconstitutional limit on package store ownership and promote a free and fair market in Texas. State Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, has introduced Senate Bill 645 that would remove the limit on package store ownership and the so-called “consanguinity loophole.” Current Texas law limits the number of […]
Read MoreTexas House Legislation Would Repeal Antiquated “Blue Law’’ and Allow Package Stores to Open on Sundays
Texans would have the opportunity to purchase their favorite distilled spirits from package stores on Sundays under new legislation introduced in the Texas Legislature. State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, has introduced House Bill 1100 that would allow Texas package stores to open seven days a week. The legislation, if approved by the 86th Legislature, would repeal one […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Urges End of Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Spirits
The Distilled Spirits Council, in coordination with a diverse, ad hoc coalition of more than 45 business and agricultural groups, today sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer requesting that the United States work with Mexico and Canada to end retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods as soon as possible. “U.S. spirits have […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Supports Ending Dry Counties in Virginia
The Distilled Spirits Council today registered strong support for legislation that would allow alcohol sales in all jurisdictions of the Commonwealth. Virginia. SB 1110 , sponsored by Virginia Senator Bryce Reeves, was reported out of the Senate’s Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services earlier today. The legislation would make the entire state of Virginia wet, requiring localities to […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council-Led Coalition Results in Successful Repeal of Baltimore City Alcohol Billboard Ban
A 25-year-old ban on alcohol billboards in Baltimore City has been repealed following an ordinance passed by the City Council and signed into law late December by Mayor Catherine Pugh, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. Under the new sign ordinance, outdoor alcohol advertising will be permitted on any outdoor stationary location except within five […]
Read MoreNew Distilled Spirits Council Study Shows No Impact on Spirits Sales from Legalized Recreational Marijuana
Distilled spirits sales have not been negatively impacted in the three states that have had legalized recreational marijuana retail sales the longest, according to a study by the Distilled Spirits Council. This new in-depth analysis, utilizing state-level alcohol tax receipts and actual alcohol shipment data, examined per capita alcohol sales in Colorado, Washington state and […]
Read MoreDistilled Spirits Council Calls on Texas Legislature to Bring State Distilled Spirits Laws into the 21st Century
The Distilled Spirits Council called on the Texas Legislature to modernize state laws governing distilled spirits to promote competition and economic growth. The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission today approved recommendations to the 86th Texas Legislature on changes to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code. “Even though more than 80 years […]
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