Senate Bill 2521 Summary

• Allows direct shipment of wine from wineries to package retailers in Mississippi without going through the Department of Revenue, limited to 10 cases per customer per year, with package retailers collecting all applicable taxes and fees.

• Changes state policy from prohibition to local option, allowing counties to vote to reinstitute prohibition rather than requiring votes to legalize alcohol sales.

• Creates new permit classes including tourism development permits and salon/spa permits, and establishes limits on issuance of new package retailer permits based on population (1 permit per 6,500 residents).

• Authorizes package retailers to offer free tastings and samplings without prior department approval and removes certain restrictions on those events.

• Increases privilege license taxes for beer and light wine retailers and wholesalers, and authorizes the department to charge an additional 15% fee to support ABC Division warehouse operations.