Critical Legislation Alert

Tonight, March 25, is an important night to make some legislative contacts, or early Wednesday morning.  As you may know, two companion homebrew bills were introduced for the 2014 Legislative Session.  These bills would define the legality of sharing homebrew at tastings, competitions and similar organized events.  We have arrived at a critical point.

HF2999 needs to be added to an agenda tomorrow.  SF2604 introduced by Senator Tom Saxhaug (05, DFL) made it through the Senate Commerce Committee, referred for inclusion in the Senate Omnibus liquor bill.  Wednesday March 26 is the last day the House Commerce Committee meets.  HF2999 is not yet on that agenda.  The House bill was introduced by Representative Tom Anzelc (05B, DFL), co-authored by Representative Dan Schoen (54A, DFL)

Please contact the chair of the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy, Representative Joe Atkins, Joe Atkins (52B, DFL),  and ask him to support HF2999.  That’s all you need to do.  You can write something up if you like, but all you need to do is ask him to support and vote for HF2999.  Close your email with your name, address and phone number so they can validate that you’re real and where you live.

Rep Atkins may not be your House Representative, but as the Committee Chair, he holds some responsibility to all Minnesotans.  Please contact him and ask him to support HF2999.  Copy authors Rep Tom Anzelc and Rep Dan Schoen with your email.

If you’ve got some serious energy tonight, you could email the entire committee individually and petition each to support HF2999.  The committee membership is here.

Don’t forget to contact your own legislator as well.  Don’t know?  Who Represents Me?

The text of the statute change request is:

Subd. 9. Unlicensed manufacture. Nothing in this chapter requires a license for
the natural fermentation of fruit juices or brewing of beer in the home for family use.
Naturally fermented fruit juices or beer made under this subdivision may be removed
from the premises where made for use, including use at organized affairs, exhibitions,
or competitions such as, but not limited to homemaker’s contests, tastings, or judging.
Naturally fermented fruit juices or beer removed under this subdivision may not be sold
or offered for sale.

Don’t . . .

• Don’t use form letters or post cards. Use your own words.
• Don’t threaten legislators. Legislators say, “Some folks don’t know how you stand on an issue, but they’ll attack you right off the bat. They’ll say, ‘Vote for HF____ or else,’ and you may already think it’s a wonderful idea. Or they’ll write, ‘Why aren’t you supporting this bill, you fool?’ and you’re the sponsor of the bill. Threats and insults don’t work.”
• Don’t address a legislator as “Congressman.”

This is the proper way to address your letter:

Honorable (Full Name)
Minnesota House of Representatives

The salutation should read: Dear Representative/Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms. (Surname):