Alaska State Legislature
News from the House Majority

Jerry Ritter, House Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: (907) 465-3804
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Senate Passes Winery License Option

Expands Business Opportunities For Alaska’s Village Communities

For Immediate Release May 6, 1998 Contact: Rep. Alan Austerman at (907) 465-2487.

Juneau – The Senate today joined the House of Representatives in unanimously approving House Bill 411, allowing for the issuance of a winery license in a local-option area.

"With low salmon prices, a depressed timber market, and limited job opportunities within our rural communities, new economic development is desperately needed," said Representative Alan Austerman (R-Kodiak), prime sponsor of HB 411. "The State of Alaska needs to persist in expanding opportunities for the establishment of production and marketing cooperatives," Austerman said.

"A constituent in Port Lions on Kodiak Island, wanted to start a winery to create employment for him and his wife and income opportunities for numerous others," said Austerman. "Unfortunately, he was precluded from doing this because of current law," Austerman added.

This legislation adds a winery licensee under Title 4 of the Alaska Statutes. By adding this language, an individual could seek a local-option election in any city to ban liquor licenses except a winery, as would be allowed under this amended statute.

When the statute is amended and a local-option election held, the individual would then apply for their winery license and agree to have the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ban retail sales under the license in that particular city.

"The individual would then have the privilege of selling to persons or entities holding a valid Alaska liquor license. This small change will create many business opportunities, while preserving the integrity of alcohol control," said Representative Austerman.

In addition, this bill adds a winery licensee with an additional stipulation prohibiting sales to only persons licensed under this title or in another state or country.

HB 411 now goes to the governor for signature.

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