Sean Hughes, Account Director, Connecticut Package Stores Association.
By Sean Hughes
The 2024 legislative session is off to a fast start. More than 600 bills have already been raised, with dozens of public hearings already taking place. Among those bills that have already been raised, quite a few would have some impact on the liquor industry.
While most of the bills pertaining to the industry are located in the General Law Committee, there have been bills raised in other committees where the Connecticut Package Stores Association (CPSA) does not typically see legislation that directly impacts liquor law.
The most prominent example of this came from the Environment Committee, which has raised an issue that extends far beyond its usual purview. House Bill 5215, “An Act Concerning Municipal Authority to Prohibit the Sale of Nips,” which is currently under consideration by the committee, would change a statute that has not been altered in more than 90 years.
If enacted, the proposed bill would grant towns the ability to ban the sale of nips within their borders. Towns who pursue a ban would be required to set up a public hearing for the citizens and businesses of the town to voice their opinions. Following a public hearing, the ban would be voted on by the town’s local legislative body, such as a town council or a board of selectmen.
Jean Cronin, Executive Director, Connecticut Package Stores Association.
The public hearing for this proposed bill was heard on Feb. 28 in the Environment Committee. Testifying in person before the committee were CPSA’s Executive Director, Jean Cronin; Executive Director of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut (WSWC), Larry Cafero Jr.; and Girish Patel of the Indian American Package Store Association of Connecticut (IAPSACT). Written testimony was also submitted by wholesalers, store owners and more.
One of the main concerns is the bill allows towns to begin to ban a particular size of product, which has the potential to set a dangerous precedent of allowing subjective bans on different products, sizes or brands in the future. H.B. 5215 has yet to be voted out of the Environment Committee, and the goal is that the bill will not be advanced in the process and that it will die.
Girish Patel, Bottle Stop Wine & Spirits and
Indian American Package Store Association
of Connecticut.
Another issue that CPSA has been actively fighting against is H.B. 5148, “An Act Concerning Grocery Beer Permits.” This bill would completely redefine what a “grocery store” is in Connecticut so that national box stores such as Target and Walmart would qualify for grocery beer permits. Currently, a retail location’s grocery sales must be greater than 50% of overall sales to qualify for a grocery beer permit. Box stores have requested this be amended to reduce the qualifying percentage of grocery sales and to add sales not currently defined as “groceries”—including pharmacy and even redemption center sales—to the list of qualifying items.
This change would not only expand grocery beer permit access to box stores, but it would also add thousands of additional retailers of beer to the almost 1,300 package stores and over 800 grocery beer permits already in existence. CPSA, WSWC and IAPSACT all testified before the General Law Committee against the proposal in a public hearing held in late February.
Larry Cafero Jr., Executive Director, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut.
Due to the hard work of the CPSA team and our industry partners, the General Law Committee has concluded their final meeting of the legislative session and their deadline to vote bills out of the committee has passed, meaning H.B. 5148 is dead. CPSA is grateful for all of the outreach from its members on the bill and is especially thankful to those who submitted testimony against it. We are continuing to monitor amendments to ensure the language from H.B. 5148 does not appear in other bills later this legislative session.
Find out more about any of these issues and the benefits of membership at ctpsa.com.
Steven Leon.
IN MEMORIUM
In sad news for our member base and to share with the broader industry and friends: In remembrance of Steven Leon, a cherished member of CPSA and a stalwart in the liquor industry, we mourn his passing. With more than 40 years of dedication to his package stores in the Greater Hartford area, Steve’s advocacy and unforgettable personality endeared him to all who crossed his path. His tireless efforts in legislative issues and boundless generosity in serving his community leave an enduring legacy. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Leons and all of his family, friends and colleagues. His memory will be carried on in the many wonderful stories shared by all who had the honor of knowing him.
