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Current Issues

See the latest national and state-level government affairs issues including news and announcements from the Brewers Association and members of the House and Senate Small Brewers Caucus.

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Displaying results 1-10 of 61

Florida

Movement in Florida to Allow Craft Brewers to Self-Distribute and Provide Certain Franchise Reforms

House Bill 499 would allow brewers producing up to 1000 barrels per year to self-distribute and allow for the smallest brewers (producing less than 1000 barrels per year) the opportunity to terminate a distributor contract with a process. The bill …Read More

Link to author biography
State Government Affairs Director

Sam DeWitt works state government affairs for the Brewers Association, and has lobbied craft beer bills from the east coast to Hawaii, on a wide range of topics from franchise reform and excise tax to self-distribution and direct-to-consumer shipping of beer. He has a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from the University of Montana and fell in love with craft brewing as an undergraduate in Missoula.

See Sam DeWitt's Articles

Florida

Florida Introduces Bill Covering Franchise Reform and Self-Distribution Rights

House Bill 499 in Florida pairs franchise reforms with self-distribution for brewers in the state. The effort is bipartisan and has support in both chambers and in the Governor’s office. BA staff is headed to their hill climb to offer …Read More

Link to author biography
State Government Affairs Director

Sam DeWitt works state government affairs for the Brewers Association, and has lobbied craft beer bills from the east coast to Hawaii, on a wide range of topics from franchise reform and excise tax to self-distribution and direct-to-consumer shipping of beer. He has a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from the University of Montana and fell in love with craft brewing as an undergraduate in Missoula.

See Sam DeWitt's Articles

Florida

FL Malt Beverage Legislation Dies in Committee

Both bills dying in committee, House Bill 1107 and companion S.B. 1348 sought to authorize manufacturers of malt beverages to transfer malt beverages to another manufacturer for brewing under certain conditions; specify conditions under which licensed craft breweries may conduct …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles

Florida

Agritourism Bills Stall in Florida

Failing to advance from committee, Senate Bill 696 / House Bill 339 sought to prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances, regulations, rules, or policies that require certificates of use for certain agricultural lands, facilities, and venues or that limit certain …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles

Florida

Agritourism Bill Intro’d in Florida

Senate Bill 696 / House Bill 339 seek to prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances, regulations, rules, or policies that require certificates of use for certain agricultural lands, facilities, and venues or that limit certain activities associated with agritourism including …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles

Florida

Malt Beverage Issues Addressed in FL Legislation

House Bill 1107 and companion S.B. 1348 seek to authorize manufacturers of malt beverages to transfer malt beverages to another manufacturer for brewing under certain conditions; specify conditions under which licensed craft breweries may conduct tastings and sell malt beverages; …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles

Florida

Agritourism Bill Intro’d in Florida

Senate Bill 696 seeks to prohibit local governments from adopting ordinances, regulations, rules, or policies that require certificates of use for certain agricultural lands, facilities, and venues or that limit certain activities associated with agritourism including the limitation of any …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles

Florida

Malt Beverage Issues Addressed in FL Legislation

House Bill 1107 seeks to authorize manufacturers of malt beverages to transfer malt beverages to another manufacturer for brewing under certain conditions; specifies conditions under which licensed craft breweries may conduct tastings and sell malt beverages; deletes the definition of …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles

Florida

FL Brand Registration Bill Becomes Law

Signed into law, House Bill 1459 provides that the annual registration fee of $30 for each malt beverage brand and label only applies to a brand or label that is sold to a distributor, not to a brand or label …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles

Florida

Brand Registration Fee Change Bill Passes FL Legislature

Passing both legislative chambers, House Bill 1459 provides that the annual registration fee of $30 for each malt beverage brand and label only applies to a brand or label that is sold to a distributor, not to a brand or …Read More

Link to author biography

Pete Johnson served as the State & Regulatory Affairs Manager for the Brewers Association (BA) until 2024. He joined the BA at its inception in 2005, having previously worked as Programs Director for the Brewers Association of America. Before coming to the small brewing industry in 2001, Pete worked for 14 years with both state and federal elected officials in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

See Pete Johnson's Articles
Displaying results 1-10 of 61