House Bill 417 Summary

• Authorizes out-of-state wine sellers licensed to ship wine directly to residents in other states to obtain a direct wine shipper's permit from Mississippi's Department of Revenue to sell and ship wine directly to Mississippi residents, with an annual permit fee of $100.

• Restricts direct wine shippers from selling light wines, beer, spirits other than wine, or wines already available through the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, and prohibits shipments to counties that have not voted to legalize alcohol sales.

• Imposes a 34% tax on all direct wine sales, with monthly reporting requirements to the department, and requires all containers to be labeled "CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 YEARS OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY."

• Restricts purchases to residents age 21 and older, limits wine to personal consumption only, and prohibits resale; establishes penalties of up to $1,000 fine and six months jail time for violations.

• Deposits tax revenue from direct wine shipments into the General Fund and Mental Health Programs Fund, with a portion equivalent to 3% (matching the regular markup) directed to mental health funding.