As a follow-up to our July 15, 2020 blog post regarding the State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) release of proposed General Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water Treatment Systems (proposed General Order), today the
Alcoholic Beverages Law
Insight and Information for the Wine, Beer and Distilled Spirits Industry
The Alcoholic Beverages Law blog published by Stoel Rives LLP covers legal developments and regulatory issues affecting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Topics include state and federal legislative changes, licensing and compliance requirements, tax credits and excise tax regulations, pandemic-related relief measures for alcohol licensees, and industry-specific funding programs such as the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The blog also addresses operational challenges for wineries, breweries, distilleries, and related businesses, including zoning, outdoor service rules, and environmental regulations. It serves as a resource for businesses navigating the complex legal landscape of the alcoholic beverage industry.
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California Wineries Take Note: State Water Board Releases Draft General Order for Winery Process Water for Public Comment
On July 3, 2020, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) released proposed General Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water Treatment Systems (proposed General Order) along with the draft California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Initial…
Ecology Rolls Out Washington’s First Winery General Permit to Regulate Discharges of Wastewater
Beginning in mid-2019, many Washington wineries will need a permit from the state Department of Ecology (“Ecology”) to discharge wastewater. Ecology issued the state’s first five-year Winery General Permit (the “permit”) on May 17, 2018, but delayed its effective date…
Agency Extends Relief to Prevent Unintended Tax Burden on Custom-Crush Facilities and Bonded Wine Cellars
As we wrote about earlier this month, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) passed late last year included significant, temporary federal excise tax relief for wine, beer and spirits businesses for 2018 and 2019. Unfortunately, in an…
A Prop. 65 Win for Winemakers: No Separate Warning Required for Inorganic Arsenic
The California Court of Appeal recently handed a victory to winemakers, ruling that a specific Proposition 65 (“Prop. 65”) warning is not required regarding the presence of inorganic arsenic. The lawsuit, Charles et al. v. Sutter Home Winery et al.,…
No Peace for Piece-Rate Pay in Washington Agriculture
This post was written by Adam Belzberg, Ryan Jones and Tim O’Connell for the Stoel Rives World of Employment blog.
In yet another blow to agricultural employers, grab your stopwatches. In Carranza v. Dovex Fruit Co., the Washington Supreme…
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Includes Tax Relief for Wine, Beer and Spirits Businesses
Included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) passed in late December were “Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform” provisions that, among other things, reduced federal excise taxes for wine, beer and spirits businesses. These reductions expire at…
Ninth Circuit Rejects Retail Digital Network’s Challenge to the Constitutionality of California Tied House Law
This post was co-authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Chad Punch.
Earlier this summer, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals revisited an issue that it had examined thirty years prior: whether a California Prohibition-era tied house law is unconstitutional under the…
2017 Changes to Washington Liquor Laws Affecting Producers and Distributors
This post was guest authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Alex Pearson.
With the Washington State Legislature’s third special session at a close, now is a good time for alcoholic beverage producers and distributors to take a moment to look at…
2017 Changes to Oregon Liquor Laws
This post was guest authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Antonija Krizanac.
Since the 2017 Oregon Legislative Session convened on February 1, 2017, the Legislature has introduced a variety of bills that impact the Oregon alcohol and beverage industry. Out of…