Bill would continue support of wine and grape industry

Out-of-state liquor shipping application fees will continue to be directed to the state’s Winery and Grape Producers Promotion fund under a bill given first-round approval March 30.

Currently, individuals who apply for a license to ship liquor from out of state directly to a customer in Nebraska are charged a $500 application fee. Diversion of the fee to the Winery and Grape Producers Promotion fund is scheduled to end April 30, 2012.

LB286, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, would remove the sunset date. Krist said the fund has been well managed and is “one of the most effective economic development programs in Nebraska.”

Elk Creek Sen. Lavon Heidemann supported the bill, saying the program should continue even though it would result in approximately $154,000 being diverted to the winery board over the next two fiscal years, rather than flowing to the state’s general fund.

“This is such a good program,” he said.

Senators voted 36-0 to advance the bill.