HARTFORD – State Representative Rob
Sampson (R-80) submitted testimony in support of H.B.
5036, An Act Promoting Craft Breweries and Distilleries and Fair Pricing.
Sampson’s testimony was presented to the General Assembly’s joint General Law
Committee during a public hearing on Tuesday, March 6th, 2018.
“In the midst of all the challenges our state
faces, craft breweries have been a bright spot for our economy,” said Rep.
Sampson. “Over the past several years, their numbers have grown
exponentially and the benefits they have provided our communities are
immeasurable. We all take great pride in the fact that Connecticut is a leader
in this industry, but these businesses are hurt by a law which limits the
quantity they can sell per customer. It’s an unnecessary restriction that will
continue to hurt one of the industries that can help the state bounce back from
this economic slump.”
One impediment to the success of craft breweries
is Connecticut General Statutes Section 30-16, which prohibits breweries from
selling more than nine liters to any individual in any one day. H.B. 5036 would
increase the amount of beer a brewery could sell to an individual customer,
which could lead to significant revenue growth. This law has been cited by
multiple craft brewery owners as a major impediment to competing with larger,
mainstream companies.
“Throughout our broader policy discourse, we
have talked about new and innovative ways to foster business growth and improve
our economic competitiveness,” added Rep. Sampson. “Indeed, there is no
better way to do this than by simply alleviating existing limitations on the
amount of product a business is allowed to sell. For that reason, I hope we can
come together on a bipartisan basis to move this common-sense, but highly
impactful legislation forward.”
Should H.B.
5036, An Act Promoting Craft Breweries and Distilleries and Fair Pricing
receive a favorable report from the General Law Committee, it will be sent to
the House and Senate Chambers where it may be called for discussion and a vote.
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