A bill filed in the Mississippi Legislature could affect liquor distribution in the state. Right now, alcohol is ordered through the Department of Revenue’s ABC warehouse. The state both orders and distributes liquor to the individual sellers.Some liquor store owners want to see the state give up control of distribution because of an increase in delays during the pandemic. The Department of Revenue says this is a result of supply chain issues and not a problem with the ABC warehouse itself.If House Bill 512 becomes a law, the state would no longer be responsible for liquor distribution and the excise tax would drop from 27.5% to 18%.”It would privatize the liquor industry. It would remove the state from it and allow private entities to come in and become wholesalers,” said Jacob Manly, spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Revenue. “We don’t really know the impact that would have on consumers at the moment. We haven’t been able to analyze that. If you want to look at a state that has done it recently, Washington state has.”The Department of Revenue said during the previous fiscal year, the ABC warehouse shipped 4.1 million cases of liquor, compared to roughly 3 million the year before.HB512 is currently in committee.
A bill filed in the Mississippi Legislature could affect liquor distribution in the state.
Right now, alcohol is ordered through the Department of Revenue’s ABC warehouse. The state both orders and distributes liquor to the individual sellers.
Some liquor store owners want to see the state give up control of distribution because of an increase in delays during the pandemic. The Department of Revenue says this is a result of supply chain issues and not a problem with the ABC warehouse itself.
If House Bill 512 becomes a law, the state would no longer be responsible for liquor distribution and the excise tax would drop from 27.5% to 18%.
“It would privatize the liquor industry. It would remove the state from it and allow private entities to come in and become wholesalers,” said Jacob Manly, spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Revenue. “We don’t really know the impact that would have on consumers at the moment. We haven’t been able to analyze that. If you want to look at a state that has done it recently, Washington state has.”
The Department of Revenue said during the previous fiscal year, the ABC warehouse shipped 4.1 million cases of liquor, compared to roughly 3 million the year before.
HB512 is currently in committee.
