H.R. 5034 Threatens To Harm Wineries and Consumer Access to Wine
(SACRAMENTO, Calif)—In an effort to organize opposition to the anti-consumer, anti-wine industry bill H.R. 5034 recently introduced into Congress, National Association of Wine Retailers (NAWR) has launched the website: StopHR5034.Org. The website provides extensive information on the damage H.R. 5034 will do to the wine industry, outlines its anti-consumer elements and gives opponents various options for voicing their opinion.
“The result would be devastating for wine shops and wineries who would find themselves shut out of markets as state wholesaler associations ram through protectionist laws in states where they have significant influence over alcohol legislation.”
The new website is located at http://www.stophr5034.org.
Introduced by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) on behalf of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, H.R 5034 exempts state alcohol laws from the requirement they conform to the principles of the Constitution’s Commerce Clause, including those laid out in the 2005 Granholm v. Heald Supreme Court ruling that alcohol laws treat in-state and out-of-state businesses equally.
“H.R 5034 would give state legislatures the ability to pass discriminatory wine shipping legislation without fear of having it challenged in Federal Courts,” said Tom Wark, executive director of NAWR. “The result would be devastating for wine shops and wineries who would find themselves shut out of markets as state wholesaler associations ram through protectionist laws in states where they have significant influence over alcohol legislation.”
The new StopHR5034.Org website provides information on how to contact congressional representatives, email action alerts, access to media coverage of the bill, statements of opposition by wine-related organizations, background on the potential effects of H.R 5034, access to the bill’s text and up-to-date developments on the bill’s progress.
“We intend the website to empower consumers to oppose H.R. 5034 since they are the ones who’s access to fine wines will be severely diminished by the bill,” said Wark. “Its consumers, as well as wine shops, Internet wine retailers auction houses, wine clubs and wineries, that have come to rely on direct shipping as the 75 year-old state-mandated three tier system has been unable to accommodate the explosion of wines now available in the marketplace.”
About NAWR
National Association of Wine Retailers is a national organization of wine shops, Internet retailers, wine clubs, auction houses and associated businesses that advocate for a well-regulated direct-to-consumer sales channel for fine wines. For more information on NAWR go to http://www.specialtywineretialers.org.