HB 589 Summary

• Authorizes out-of-state persons with valid wine licenses to obtain a direct shipper's permit and sell wines directly to Mississippi package retailers and on-premises retailers without going through the Department of Revenue's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.

• Establishes a $100 annual permit fee for direct shippers and imposes a 27% tax on shipments by direct shippers and a 7% tax on retail sales of wine received from direct shippers, with portions deposited into the Mental Health Programs Fund.

• Prohibits direct shippers from selling light wine, beer, non-manufactured wines, or wines already in the state's inventory and available within 10 days, and limits individual purchases to 18 liters per month.

• Requires adult (21+) signatures for all wine shipments, three-year record maintenance by permit holders, and monthly tax reporting with invoices to the Department of Revenue.

• Effective July 1, 2010; amends multiple sections of Mississippi Code relating to alcoholic beverage permits, taxes, and transportation to accommodate direct wine shipments.