The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate today with strong support from a broad group of industry trade associations including the beer, wine, spirits, and cider sectors.
The legislation, which was first introduced in 2015 to recalibrate federal excise taxes and streamline regulations on alcohol beverage producers, was reintroduced in 2017 by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Roy Blunt (R-MO), garnering strong support from the majority of Congress as well as industry groups. Legislation that included a two-year provision of CBMTRA passed in December 2017. Senators Wyden and Blunt are once again the lead co-sponsors of the bill upon its reintroduction today.
“People around the world enjoy Oregon wine, craft beer, cider and spirits—providing not only a serious source of home state pride but also a huge boon to our state’s economy,” Wyden said. “By modernizing burdensome rules and taxes for craft beverage producers, this legislation will level the playing field and allow these innovators to further grow and thrive.”
“The craft beverage industry is driven by small businesses that support thousands of jobs and contribute billions in economic output,” said Blunt. “This bill will remove tax and regulatory barriers that are making it harder for Missouri’s brewers, distillers, and winemakers to grow and compete. I’m encouraged by the strong, bipartisan support this measure had in the previous Congress and look forward to working with our colleagues to get it to the president’s desk.”
Leaders from the Brewers Association (BA), Beer Institute, WineAmerica, Wine Institute, Distilled Spirits Council, American Craft Spirits Association, and U.S. Association of Cider Makers agree that the legislation creates a more fair and equitable tax structure for beverage alcohol producers and their consumers. The legislation empowers these key economic players to continue to invest in their businesses and boost jobs across the country.
