HP0479, LD 649, item 1, 125th Maine State Legislature
An Act Regarding Special Taste-testing Festivals

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An Act Regarding Special Taste-testing Festivals
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas,  the economy of the State is greatly benefitted from the promotion of tourism and the superior hospitality services available in this State; and
Whereas,  the Legislature should take advantage of any opportunity to support Maine's economy; and
Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 28-A MRSA §1052-B, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2003, c. 91, §1, is further amended to read:
 
1. Special taste-testing festival license.   Malt liquor or wine manufacturers ~~licensed under section 1401~~or foreign wholesalers of malt liquor and wine with a certificate of approval described in section 1361 and manufacturers of malt liquor or wine licensed as small breweries or farm wineries under section 1355 may apply jointly for an additional license to participate in a special taste-testing festival under this section. The special taste-testing festival license is valid for no more than 3 consecutive days and may be issued once annually.
Sec. 2. 28-A MRSA §1052-B, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 677, §2, is amended to read:
 
2. Fee.   The license fee for the special taste-testing festival license under subsection 1 is $20 for each certificate of approval holder and each manufacturer of malt liquor ~~and each manufacturer of~~or wine licensed as a small brewery or farm winery.
Sec. 3.  28-A MRSA §1052-B, sub-§7  is enacted to read:
 
7.  Taste-testing festival as part of a broader event.     A special taste-testing festival held in accordance with this section may be part of a broader event such as a food festival, tourism exposition, trade show or similar event.
Sec. 4.  28-A MRSA §1052-B, sub-§8  is enacted to read:
 
8.  Licensee’s representatives.     Nothing in this section prohibits a representative of a licensee from serving samples for taste testing in accordance with the provisions of this section.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends existing law regarding special taste-testing festivals to include wine manufacturers. It specifies that a festival may be held in conjunction with a trade show, food festival or tourism exposition. It further specifies that a representative of a beer or wine manufacturer or wholesaler is authorized to pour samples at the taste-testing festival.

HP0479, LR 1310, item 1,First Regular Session - 125th Maine Legislature, page