HCS HB 2065 -- SALE OF WINE

SPONSOR:  Berkowitz (Ransdall)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agriculture by a vote of 23 to 2.

This substitute requires the makers of wine to remit to the
Director of the Department of Revenue six cents per gallon or
fraction thereof for the privilege of selling wine.  The monies
collected are to be credited to the Marketing Development Fund in
a separate account and appropriated annually for the use of the
division of the Department of Agriculture concerned with the
research and advisement of grapes and grape products in Missouri,
including employment of experts in the fields of viticulture and
enology.

The substitute also increases the pro rata charge per ton of
grapes or 160 gallons of grape juice processed by commercial
producers in the state from $3 to $6.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to Marketing Development Fund
of $369,367 in FY 2003, $492,489 in FY 2004, and $492,489 in FY
2005.  Estimated Net Income to Missouri Wine Marketing and
Research Development Fund of $5,750 in FY 2003, $6,900 in FY
2004, $6,900 in FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the increased charges are
necessary to fund additional research and development for
Missouri's grape and wine industry.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Ransdall; Missouri
Agricultural Industries; and St. James Winery.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the additional
charges double the cost of doing business in Missouri.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Wine and Spirts
Association.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:03 am