The Illinois Craft Brewers Guild has filed legislation seeking to legalize direct-to-customer shipping for craft breweries while in New Mexico similar legislation has also been introduced in the state legislature.
The Illinois bill, SB2193, sponsored by Sen. Ram Villivalam, would amend the Liquor Control Act and allow people with certain brewer licenses to ship the beer they make directly to in-state residents.
“The fact that Illinois laws force some craft breweries to contract with third-party distribution is antiquated and unnecessary,” Illinois Craft Brewers Guild Executive Director Ray Stout said in a statement on the guilds website. “It creates an intentional power imbalance between local breweries and consolidated distribution corporations through the enforcement of what are called ‘franchise laws.’ Illinois wineries have enjoyed direct-to-consumer shipping privileges for more than 15 years, proving that it can be done safely and responsibly with little to no negative impact on retailers.”
In New Mexico, House Bill 343 would also allow brewers to get the same shipping licenses that are currently being used by wineries. Additionally, the bill would also allow out-of-state breweries to participate in festivals and competitions in New Mexico. Despite pushback, the bill passed the committee three votes to two.
More details on the NM legislation here.