HB 5579 Summary

• Creates "qualified out-of-state retailer" license allowing out-of-state wine retailers to sell and ship wine directly to Michigan consumers via mail order, internet, telephone, or electronic means.

• Establishes "spirits shipper" license enabling distillers and spirits producers to sell and ship spirits directly to Michigan consumers, with a 13,500-liter annual cap per shipper or combined ownership group.

• Requires qualified out-of-state retailers and spirits shippers to comply with age verification, tax payment, shipping container labeling, and commission record-keeping requirements similar to existing direct shipper requirements.

• Allows licensed qualified out-of-state retailers to use third-party facilitator services for wine delivery and allows them to utilize common carriers under existing rules, subject to age verification and commission oversight.

• Adds spirits shippers as a retail vendor class under section 537 and updates cross-references throughout the liquor control code to reflect new licensing categories.