VermontVermont adjusts alcohol sales and event rules for licensees
Alcohol businesses could serve and sell more in some settings, with revised rules for tastings, direct delivery, and events.
What it does
Members of the Board of Liquor and Lottery would serve longer terms.
Fourth-class licensees could serve more alcohol at tasting rooms and shops. Manufacturers could sell other makers’ beverages at more fourth-class licensed locations.
Sales under one alcohol law would follow the hours that apply to licensees generally. Event permits would use the same local control rules as the permit definition, and tasting notice would drop from five days to one business day.
Licensed malt beverage makers could deliver up to 3,000 barrels a year directly to first- and second-class licensees.
A caterer could host up to five functions each calendar year on the caterer’s own specified licensed premises.
Argument forShorter notice and fewer licensing steps could make it easier for businesses to arrange tastings and serve at events.
Argument againstMore flexible sales and event rules could make it harder for local officials to keep alcohol service within community limits.
More detail
Board of Liquor and Lottery members would serve longer terms. This applies to members of the Board of Liquor and Lottery.
Alcohol licensees and manufacturers could serve or sell more products in specified settings. This covers tasting rooms and retail shops under a fourth-class license, and locations where a manufacturer may sell beverages made by other manufacturers.
Alcohol sales, events, and tasting permits would follow revised rules. The provisions cover sales under 7 V.S.A. § 230, special event permits, and retail alcohol tasting permits.
Licensed malt beverage makers could deliver a limited amount directly to certain licensees. This applies to licensed malt beverage manufacturers delivering to first- and second-class licensees. Annual direct deliveries could not exceed 3,000 barrels. The 3,000-barrel limit applies each year.
Caterers could host a limited number of functions on specified licensed premises. This applies to a caterer’s own first-, first- and third-, or second-class licensed premises. The limit is five functions per calendar year. The five-function limit applies per calendar year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29House message: Governor approved bill on June 15, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 15, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 9, 2026To Governor
- May 26House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 21Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 21Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 21, 2026
- May 20Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 21, 2026
- May 19Rep. Boyden of Cambridge moved to postpone action until May 21, 2026, which was agreed to
- May 19Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
- May 18Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 18, 2026
- May 15Action Calendar: Action postponed until May 18, 2026
- May 14Rep. Boyden of Cambridge moved to postpone action until May 18, 2026, which was agreed to
- May 14Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 13Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 12Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 8Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 8New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 73rd reading ordered
- May 7Proposal of amendment amended on motion of Senator(s) Ram HinsdaleMinor
- May 7Proposal of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs agreed toMinor
- May 7Reported favorably by Senator Brock for Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 7Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Weeks for Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General AffairsMinor
- May 7Proposal of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Ram HinsdaleMinor
- May 7Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 7Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General AffairsMinor
- May 7Unfinished Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 6Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 6Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General AffairsMinor
- May 6New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 5Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General AffairsMinor
- May 5Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Entered on Notice Calendar
- Apr 24Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- Apr 24Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General AffairsMinor
- Apr 24Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 24Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 24Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General AffairsMinor
- Mar 19Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 19Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 18Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 18Rep. Burkhardt of South Burlington recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- Mar 18Rep. Boyden of Cambridge spoke for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs
- Mar 18Read second timeMinor
- Mar 18Action Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 17Notice Calendar: Favorable
- Mar 10Committee bill read first time and referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)Introduced
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