Georgia law

Anyone know if the new content law was signed? I sure hope so, looking forward to trying some new beers.

bluestringer

Reply to
bluestringer
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The Georgia law (Code 3.1.2 Paragraph 13

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for the past 70 years has defined beer as a malt beverage, and a malt beverage as a drink with ABV less than 6 percent, which is ridiculous. House Bill 645 will amend that law by changing that upper limit to a very reasonable 14 percent. HB 645 passed the Georgia House of representatives in April 2003, and the senate in February 2004. It has not been signed into law by the Gov. Purdue.

In order for the bill to become law, it is not necessary for the Governor to sign it. From what I understand, if the bill has not been vetoed 30 days after the current legislative session ends, it will become law by default. Today (March 2, 2004) was day 28 of the legislative session. A normal length of the session is 40 days with 4 days of business per week. The session is scheduled to end sometime in mid March. Therefore barring a veto, the bill should become law by mid April or so. There is a chance that the session gets extended past mid March this year due to the redistricting issue. As far as date of enforcement of the new law, I've heard varying dates such as 7 days afterit becomes law to July 1st. I am hoping for a sonner date, rather than later.

The word is Gov. Purdue is neither going to outright sign, nor veto the bill. Although he is a teetotaler, he is not known to be opposed to the bill. The Senate regulated industries committee chairman was not going to let the bill get out of committee if it was going to be vetoed. Since the bill got out of committe, a vetod is not expected, unless there is a massive amount of protest. A month after the bill has passed, no potests have occurred to my knowledge. The official response from the Governor's office is that they do not comment on any bills not on his legislative agenda. Since this bill was not pushed by him, he is not likely to sign it.

Either way, if you go to the store in Georgia today, beers between 6 to 14 percent are not available. By July 1, at the latesr they are expected to be on the shelves.

You can check the status of the bill at:

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The focal point for this effort to change the law is:

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Reply to
Rajendra Gondhalekar

redistricting

Thanks. Looks like we may finally be able to enjoy beers that have been denied us by that malt beverage law.

bluestringer

Reply to
bluestringer

Here is nice flow chart I found today showing how a bill becomes law in Georgia.

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As you follow, you can see that HB 645 is at step 14 of 16. The Governor is not going to request it so it will be sent to him following adjournment sine die. Barring veto it will become the law, and will come into effect July 1,

2004.
Reply to
Rajendra Gondhalekar

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