MS SB2844

Establishes a "direct wine shipper's permit" allowing wine manufacturers and licensed wine businesses to sell and ship wine directly to Mississippi residents without using the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.

Requires direct wine shipper permit holders to pay a $100 annual privilege tax and a 15.5% excise tax on all wine sales, with a portion of excise tax revenue directed to the Mental Health Programs Fund.

Limits direct wine shippers to selling maximum of 24 nine-liter cases annually per individual customer and prohibits shipping to dry counties; requires customers to be at least 21 years old and sign for deliveries.

Requires permit holders to label wine containers with age verification warnings, maintain sales records for three years, and file monthly reports with invoices; violations result in fines up to $1,000 and/or up to six months imprisonment.

Exempts direct wine shippers from certain permitting requirements including newspaper publication notices, ownership disclosure statements, and fingerprint background checks.