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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 115

Hawaii

Hawaii Introduces Bill Authorizing Direct-to-Consumer Shipments of Craft Beer and Spirits

In Hawaii, the guild is pursuing multiple pieces of legislation, including House Bill 108, authorizing direct-to-consumer shipments of craft beer and spirits to consumers in and out of the state, which has passed all three committees on the House side …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

Hawaii

HI Beer Definition Bill Becomes Law

Signed by the Governor, Senate Bill 2354 expands the definition of “beer” under the liquor regulatory laws to mean any alcoholic beverage containing no less than 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume obtained by fermentation of any infusion or decoction …Read More

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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

Hawaii

HI Committee Moves Beer Definition Bill

Advancing from initial House committee consideration, Senate Bill 2354 would expand the definition of “beer” under the liquor regulatory laws to mean any alcoholic beverage containing no less than 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume obtained by fermentation 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

Hawaii

Lower BAC Bill Stalls in Hawaii

Failing to advance from committee, Senate Bill 2384 seeks to lower the blood alcohol concentration threshold for driving while under the influence of alcohol from 0.08 to 0.05. 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

Hawaii

Lower BAC Bill Advances in Hawaii

Now under House consideration, Senate Bill 2384 seeks to lower the blood alcohol concentration threshold for driving while under the influence of alcohol from 0.08 to 0.05. 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

Hawaii

Beer Definition Changes Advance in HI

Each bill passing its respective chamber, Senate Bill 2354 and companion H.B. 2522 expand the definition of “beer” under the liquor regulatory laws to mean any alcoholic beverage containing no less than 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume obtained by …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

Hawaii

Beer Definition Changes Proposed in HI

Senate Bill 2354 and companion H.B. 2522 expand the definition of “beer” under the liquor regulatory laws to mean any alcoholic beverage containing no less than 0.5 per cent alcohol by volume obtained by fermentation of any infusion or decoction …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

Hawaii

Hawaii Considers Inflation-Based Alcohol Tax Increase

S.B. 3275 seeks to increase alcohol tax rates to reflect inflation since 1998 (when rates were last set), with the draft beer rate increasing forty-seven cents to $1.01/wine gallon and the rate on beer other than draft increasing eighty-two cents …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

Hawaii

Low ABV Spirits Addressed in HI Bill

House Bill 1982 defines “low alcohol by volume spirits beverage” as any alcoholic beverage containing no more than five per cent alcohol by volume including distilled spirits mixed with other ingredients and establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume …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

Hawaii

Alcohol Surcharge Considered in Hawaii

House Bill 2589 establishes a three-year surcharge on all alcohol taxes, the amount being unspecified. 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
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