S 279

 BILL AS INTRODUCED  S.279
 2026  Page 1 of 2
1S.279
2 Introduced by Senators Ram Hinsdale, Brennan, Weeks and Westman
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Alcoholic beverages; licensing; manufacturing and distribution of
6alcohol; manufacturer’s or rectifier’s license; distribution to first- or
7second-class licensed locations; caterer’s license
8 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to authorize
9 licensed malt beverage manufacturers to distribute malt beverages directly to
10 the holders of first- or second-class licenses. This bill also proposes to limit
11 the total amount of malt beverages that a licensed manufacturer may distribute
12 directly to licensees on an annual basis. This bill also proposes to amend the
13 definition of caterer’s license to repeal the restriction on serving alcoholic
14 beverages at first- or first- and third-class licensed locations.
15    An act relating to caterer’s licenses and the distribution of malt beverages
16    by licensed manufacturers
17 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
18 Sec. 1. 7 V.S.A. § 271 is amended to read:
19 § 271. MANUFACTURER’S OR RECTIFIER’S LICENSE
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                                                                     VT LEG #385105 v.1
 BILL AS INTRODUCED  S.279
 2026  Page 2 of 2
1    (g) A licensed manufacturer of malt beverages may distribute an annual
2 total of not more than 5,000 barrels of the manufacturer’s malt beverages
3 directly to holders of first- or second-class licenses.
4 Sec. 2. 7 V.S.A. § 2 is amended to read:
5 § 2. DEFINITIONS
6    As used in this title:
7***
8(5) “Caterer’s license” means a license issued by the Board of Liquor
9 and Lottery authorizing the holder of a first-class license or first- and third-
10 class licenses to serve alcoholic beverages at a function located on premises
11 other than those occupied by a first-, first- and third-, or second-class licensee
12 to sell alcoholic beverages an event.
13***
14 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
15    This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
                                                                     VT LEG #385105 v.1