HB 1284 Summary

• Renames the "Mississippi Native Spirit Law" to the "Mississippi Native and Craft Spirits Law" and legalizes craft spirit manufacturing and sales under the same regulatory framework as native spirits and wines.

• Defines "craft spirit" as alcoholic beverages produced in whole or in part in Mississippi by a distillery created under Mississippi law, and "craft distillery" as any place in Mississippi where craft spirits are produced.

• Authorizes native and craft distilleries to operate tasting rooms within five (5) miles of the distillery location, plus one (1) permanent satellite tasting room location anywhere in the state where alcoholic beverages are otherwise permitted.

• Establishes a Class 5 manufacturer's permit for craft spirit producers and a craft spirit retailer's permit, with annual privilege license taxes of $300 per 1,000 gallons produced (capped at $3,000) and similar excise and reporting requirements as native spirits.

• Makes conforming amendments to multiple sections of the Mississippi Code addressing alcoholic beverage taxation, permits, distance restrictions, and regulatory authority to include craft spirits alongside native wines and native spirits.