The House Commerce and Energy committee votes to stop a bill that would have made it easier to get certain liquor licenses.
Rep. Tina Mulally introduced the bill. The Rapid City Republican said House Bill 1139 stems from local campers and tourist desiring to buy local artisan spirits at campground locations, not just beer or farm wine.
“It’s promoting a product that is produced in small batches from local products. Expanding the availability of these products by allowing sales in a greater variety of locations would help both the distillers and the campgrounds, because they would be able to increase their revenue,” said Mulally.
Opponents said it would change the state liquor license structure for everyone, not just campgrounds.
Jason Evans is the Deputy Director of the South Dakota Department of Revenue. He spoke in opposition to the bill.
“That’s why in South Dakota and virtually every other state, beer licenses are widely available, as I mentioned, 2,500 outlets for that currently in South Dakota that hold that type of license. Whereas liquor licenses are much more restrictive," said Evans. "We would urge the committee to not support the bill, to not return us back to or send us back toward the evils that we saw pre-prohibition and leave our license structure the way it is today.”
Committee members encouraged Mulally to bring an amended bill dedicated to campgrounds.
The committee killed the bill Monday in an 11 to two vote.
