HOUSE BILL No. 5613

 

December 1, 2009, Introduced by Reps. Geiss and Kennedy and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform.

 

     A bill to amend 1998 PA 58, entitled

 

"Michigan liquor control code of 1998,"

 

by amending section 1027 (MCL 436.2027), as amended by 2008 PA 218.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 1027. (1) Unless otherwise provided by rule of the

 

commission, a person shall not conduct samplings or tastings of any

 

alcoholic liquor for a commercial purpose except at premises that

 

are licensed by the commission for the sale and consumption of

 

alcoholic liquor on the premises.

 

     (2) This section does not prevent either prohibit any of the

 

following:

 

     (a) A vendor of spirits, brewer, wine maker, mixed spirit

 

drink manufacturer, small wine maker, outstate seller of beer,


 

outstate seller of wine, or outstate seller of mixed spirit drink,

 

or a bona fide market research organization retained by 1 of the

 

persons named in this subsection subdivision, from conducting

 

samplings or tastings of an alcoholic liquor product before it is

 

approved for sale in this state if the sampling or tasting is

 

conducted pursuant to prior written approval of the commission.

 

     (b) An on-premises licensee from giving a sampling or tasting

 

of alcoholic liquor to an employee of the licensee during the legal

 

hours for consumption for the purpose of educating the employee

 

regarding 1 or more types of alcoholic liquor so long as the

 

employee is at least 21 years of age.

 

     (c) A small distiller licensee from giving a sampling or

 

tasting of brands it manufactures on the licensed premises.

 

     (d) A micro brewer or brew pub from allowing the sampling and

 

consumption on the licensed premise of beer produced by 1 or more

 

home brewers at a meeting of home brewers, or a club composed

 

primarily of home brewers, under the following circumstances:

 

     (i) The sampling or consumption is for the purpose of

 

exhibitions or competitions involving home brewers.

 

     (ii) The beer is served in portions not to exceed 6 ounces.

 

     (iii) No sale of beer is made to members of the general public.

 

     (iv) The participants otherwise comply with applicable state

 

and federal law and applicable regulatory provisions of this act

 

and rules adopted by the commission under this act.

 

     (3) A sampling or tasting of any alcoholic liquor in a home or

 

domicile for other than a commercial purpose is not subject to this

 

section.


 

     (4) For purposes of As used in this section: , "commercial

 

     (a) "Commercial purpose" means a purpose for which monetary

 

gain or other remuneration could reasonably be expected.

 

     (b) "Home brewer" means a person manufacturing beer at his or

 

her home or farm, if the beer is to be consumed, free of

 

consideration to those persons consuming the beer, in the manner

 

provided for in subsection (2)(d), by that person, or by that

 

person's family and guests.