HEA 1293 Summary

• Creates a new "artisan distiller's permit" category allowing small-scale liquor manufacturers to produce up to 10,000 gallons annually and sell directly to consumers at their distillery premises or through licensed wholesalers.

• Establishes eligibility requirements including three years of prior experience holding a farm winery, brewer's, or distiller's permit, with allowances for existing manufacturers holding federal permits as of January 1, 2014.

• Permits artisan distillers to blend purchased liquor with their own product if the final product contains at least 60% of liquor fermented and distilled by the artisan distiller at their licensed premises.

• Allows artisan distillers to simultaneously hold farm winery, small brewery, or distiller permits, and exempts them from certain restrictions on owning interest in other alcohol beverage permits.

• Sets annual artisan distiller's permit fee at $250 with a two-year issuance period, and extends liquor excise tax and license fee collection requirements to include artisan distillers.