The Steps to Freeing The Hops: Part 2
Last year, FTH successfully introduced and passed the Gourmet Beer Bill during the 2009 legislative session! The Gourmet Beer Bill allows the sale of the best beers in the world in Alabama by lifting the 6% ABV restriction on beer, although we are still restricted to 13.9% ABV.
This year, we're working on something different: The Brewery Modernization Act.
The aims of this Act are to allow breweries to sell on-premises like a brewpub, or to wholesalers, or to both, and to remove the crippling restrictions which prevent new breweries and brewpubs from opening.The Passage of the Brewery Modernization Act, 2010
FTH has introduced two statewide bills before the Alabama legislature during the regular 2010 session: one before the Senate and one before the House of Representatives. Only one of these bills needs to pass both houses in order to allow the sale of the best beers in the world in Alabama. (You can get FTH updates from many places.)
The Steps to Freeing The Hops via HB406:
| 1. Introduction of the Brewery Modernization Act (HB406) | Complete! (1/21/10) |
| 2. Pass the House Tourism & Travel committee | Complete! (2/3/10) |
| 3. Pass the House floor | |
| 4. Pass the Senate Tourism & Marketing committee | |
| 5. Pass the Senate floor | |
| 6. Signature by the Governor |
The Steps to Freeing The Hops via SB328:
| 1. Introduction of the Brewery Modernization Act (SB328) | Complete! (2/3/10) |
| 2. Pass the Senate Tourism & Marketing committee | Complete! |
| 3. Pass the Senate floor | Complete! (4/6/2010) |
| 4. Pass the House Tourism & Travel committee | Complete! (4/13/2010) |
| 5. Pass the House floor | |
| 6. Signature by the Governor |
Quite simply, whichever of our bills completes step 5 first will go to Governor Riley for a signature.
During this time, you can help by calling your legislators and telling them you are in favor of The Brewery Modernization Act:
HB406, sponsored by Oliver Robinson
SB328, sponsored by Bobby Singleton.
We have a website to help you find your legislator, and this will also tell you their previous and current support for our bills.