SENATE OVERRIDES VETO TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH IN SMALL BREWERIES, DISTILLERIES, AND WINERIES

Measure would allow University of Maine Cooperative Extension to help breweries, wineries, and distilleries get product to market.

AUGUSTA – Today, in a 32-3 vote, the Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto of a measure to help the University of Maine Cooperative Extension continue their work to support Maine’s agricultural and food-based economy.

Yesterday, Gov. LePage vetoed the bill along with 11 other bills. Ten of the bills were sponsored by Democrats and received a verbatim veto letter, stating, “As promised I am vetoing all bills sponsored by Democrats…”

Sen. Jim Dill of Old Town

“Thankfully, Senate Republicans rejected wholesale vetoing by overriding a good bill that will help farmers and small businesses,” said Democratic State Senator Jim Dill of Old Town, the sponsor of the measure.  “The Cooperative Extension has a long history and track record of working with farmers and small businesses to help grow Maine’s economy. This bill would allow more collaboration with small breweries, wineries, and distilleries to help them expand.”

Current law allows the Cooperative Extension to work with one brewery annually to brew small batches of beer for testing. This allows the companies to develop new varieties without the risk and expense of tying up their own equipment. Senator Dill’s bill would allow more companies, including wineries and distilleries, to take advantage of the Cooperative Extension’s equipment and facilities.

In his testimony before the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, the Executive Director of the Cooperative Extension, John Rebar attested, “no one in Maine does more to support our locally produced food and beverages than Cooperative Extension. In fact, our faculty and staff work with over 5,600 businesses statewide. That’s more than the rest of the University of Maine System combined. We have a portfolio of businesses we’ve worked with that are thriving in our economy. Businesses of all sizes look to us to solve real-world problems that impact their crops, livestock, processed food and beverages. For example, we help solve issues with milk quality and safety everyday. However, we are stymied in our efforts to help the growing brewing and distillery businesses of our state.”

Several local businesses have expressed support for the measure including Geaghan’s of Bangor and Black Bear Brewing of Orono.

LD 935, “An Act Regarding Alcohol Manufacturing Licenses Issued to Research Facilities” now goes to the House of Representatives for their consideration on the Governor’s veto. If they override the veto, the bill becomes law.