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Minutes for HB2475 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Authorizing the on-premises sale by microbreweries of certain large containers of beer for off-premises consumption and providing labeling requirements for such containers.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 23, 2018
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on HB2475. Chris Waggoner, Revisor, provided an overview of the bill (Attachment) 3. This bill would allow a microbrewery licensee to sell "growlers" and "crowlers" on their premises for off-premises consumption. Questions were asked by Representatives Ruiz, Karleskint, and Highberger.
Chairperson Barker recognized Debbi Beavers, Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABC), as a proponent of HB2475 (Attachment 4). This legislation was proposed by the ABC because they have had a lot of questions from licensees and managers of microbreweries as to the legality of refilling a container that was not purchased from that microbrewery. This bill will codify the current practice by Kansas microbreweries who sell and fill or refill containers with beer manufactured by the microbrewery. Questions were asked by Chairperson Barker and Representatives Houser and Miller.
Philip Bradley, Kansas Craft Brewers Guild, provided testimony as a proponent of HB2475 (Attachment 5). This practice is already going on in Kansas and other statutes discuss how these containers are taxed. However, there is an alcohol law on the books that states if something is not specifically allowed, then it is specifically prohibited. The bill simply clarifies the law. They have been working with the ABC and the revisor regarding two amendments. One would be to raise the alcohol weight content from 10 percent to 15 percent so that they can compete with out-of-state breweries. The other has to do with beers that contain other ingredients besides grain, hops, yeast and water, such as herbs, spices, and/or coffee stouts to enhance the flavor. Questions were asked by Chairperson Barker and Representatives Clayton, Carpenter, and Miller.
Chairperson Barker noted that there was written proponent testimony from Scott Schneider on behalf of the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association (Attachment 6).
After seeing there were no further conferees, Chairperson Barker closed the hearing on HB2475.
