California craft liquor delivery is about to go away thanks to big money lobbying
- Californians have been able to receive craft liquor deliveries for six years, but this may end unless lawmakers act by the end of the month.
- The California wine industry, Teamsters union truck drivers, and corporate alcohol wholesalers have lobbied against legislation to make craft distiller deliveries permanent.
- Craft distillers have spent significantly less on lobbying compared to their opponents, who have spent over $1 million this year alone.
- Opponents argue that the proposal primarily benefits out-of-state companies and weakens safeguards against underage deliveries.
- The California wine industry is cautious about granting delivery rights to small alcohol sellers while big companies seek similar privileges.
For six years, Californians have been able to shake up a craft cocktail at home using alcohol delivered to their doorstep. Now, it’s last call for the distillery deliveries, unless lawmakers intervene by the end of this month. That’s unlikely, thanks to opposition from California’s wine industry, Teamsters union truck drivers and corporate alcohol wholesalers and distributors.
During the pandemic lockdowns, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that allowed craft distillers to ship spirits to their customers’ homes. The latest extension of this rule expires on December 31. Assemblymember Josh Hoover attempted to amend a bill to allow small distillers to continue shipping directly to customers, but faced significant lobbying opposition.
The groups blocking Hoover’s proposal have spent more than $1 million lobbying the Legislature and state government this year. They argue that the proposal primarily benefits out-of-state companies and undermines safeguards against alcohol deliveries to minors. The California wine industry, while allowed to ship directly to customers, is wary of extending similar rights to smaller alcohol sellers without granting the same to larger companies.
加州手工酒类送货即将消失，因大额游说
加州居民已享受手工酒类送货服务六年，但如果立法者不在本月底之前采取行动，这一服务可能会结束。加州葡萄酒行业、工会卡车司机和企业酒类批发商的反对使这一行动变得不太可能。
在疫情封锁期间，加州州长纽森发布行政命令，允许手工酒类酿造商将烈酒送到客户家中。该规则的最新延期将于12月31日到期。霍佛议员试图修订一项法案，以允许小型酿酒商继续直接向客户发货，但遭遇了强大的游说反对。
阻止霍佛提案的团体今年在立法机构和州政府的游说支出超过100万美元。他们认为该提案主要惠及外州公司，并削弱了对未成年人送酒的保障。虽然加州葡萄酒行业被允许直接向客户发货，但对在不向大型公司提供相同权利的情况下向小型酒类卖家扩展类似权利持谨慎态度。