Sen. LaSata tackles tasting room legislation to help the industry. | stock photo
Sen. LaSata tackles tasting room legislation to help the industry. | stock photo
State Sen. Kim LaSata (R-Bainbridge Township) announced that the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform took up her bill to fix an unintended consequence of tasting room legislation from last session.
LaSata said her legislation seeks to ensure that local producers of wine, beer and other spirits can sell all of their offerings at the same location, thanking the southwest Michigan based Moersch Hospitality Group for raising the issue with her.
Senate Bill 897 would amend the law to permit wineries, breweries and distilleries to run both an on-premises tasting room and an off-premises tasting room at the same location under certain conditions.
Matt Moersch, CEO and Partner of Moersch Hospitality Group, testified before the committee earlier this month, stating that his inability to sell Michigan-made wine, spirits and beer at a particular location has impeded the growth of his business.
LaSata also announced that the committee took up her bill to simplify the special-event permitting process required to allow the Senior Professional Golfers Association to hold an event in Benton Harbor.
Under current Michigan law, an amendment must be made when there is a Senior PGA event to grant a special-event permit for the specific tournament. Senate Bill 820 would eliminate the need for lawmakers to pass a bill and have it signed every year.
The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores is scheduled to return in 2022 and 2024 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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