USA, OK: Oklahoma’s new beer legislation passed on April 15th

Oklahoma took a huge step on April 15th when the Oklahoma State House passed both SB 424, a bill that would allow breweries to sell their own beer and SB 383, which would allow cold sales of beer in excess of 3.2 percent alcohol by weight to be sold in liquor, grocery and convenience stores.

The votes in the House for SB 424 were (66 for /19 against). The votes for SB 383 were (68 for /21 against).

It means they both will go to a conference and get the details hashed out. SB 424 would go to conference then come back to both the Senate and House for final votes, then if passed it would go to the Governor for her signature and 90 days after that it would be law.

SB 383 is different than SB 424. There are a lot of things that could change there. The cold beer legislation goes to conference to make changes, the bill's co-author, state Rep. Glen Mulready (R), said on the House floor. That action probably won’t happen until the next legislative session.

If it passes it will be in front of the people for a statewide vote most likely during the next presidential election.

"Oklahoma took yet another positive step out of the crypt of prohibition. It will allow our breweries a vital revenue stream that will not only benefit the brewery, but will create additional jobs in related industries, such as distribution, rural farms, and hospitality, as Oklahoma reaps the benefits of additional tourism dollars," said Kevin Douglas Hall executive director of LOCAL - League of Oklahomans for Change in Alcohol Laws.

17 April, 2015