When are they voting on this?

If it's going to happen, it will have to happen today or sometime next week (barring some sort of special session).

If it's going to happen, it will have to happen today or sometime next week (barring some sort of special session).

Yeah, I am worried that this will get shelved because they are so worried about abortions, gay people, bathrooms, and impeaching Obama at 23rd and Lincoln.

If that happens, then it won't be back on the table until 2018 and it would have a much lower chance of passing in a midterm election.

That all looks pretty good to me... though I am curious about the section regulating homebrewers. To the best of my knowledge, right now, homebrew for personal consumption in OK is unregulated and requires no license. Am I correct that this bill would impose regulations and licensing requirements upon homebrewers? Any idea what the licensing fee would be?
Home brewing was unregulated until 2010, when beer was finally made legal (wine, mead and cider were already legal). When they added beer they started requiring an annual license but it's free. It is rather annoying to keep it up every year but at least it's free. I believe they are actually expanding the quantity in the current legislation. I'm not sure why is being addressed at all or if this is just a byproduct.



Yeah, I am worried that this will get shelved because they are so worried about abortions, gay people, bathrooms, and impeaching Obama at 23rd and Lincoln.

If that happens, then it won't be back on the table until 2018 and it would have a much lower chance of passing in a midterm election.


SJR68 and SB424 are scheduled for today!

Both just passed the Senate, on to the house. (No idea when that'll be)

Lots of action so far today.

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/734826189223645185

Sen. Crain is now presenting the provisions of the CCR to HB 424, allowing sales of beer to consumer on premises of brewery.

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/734826845451866112

HB 424 passes as an emergency measure, 42-3.

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/734826972170190848

Sen. Bice is recognized to present the CCR to SJR 68, setting the framework for alcohol modernization.

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/734827758518296576

SJR 68 advances fourth reading, 30-14.

I wonder when SB383 will have movement....

I wonder when SB383 will have movement....

SB383 is tied to SJR68 is it not?

SB383 is tied to SJR68 is it not?

Sort of... just in that it will only go into affect if SJR69 passes and is voted into law. However, SB383 still needs to be passed as well.

Will HB 424 have to be voted on by the people, or will that go into effect immediately?

Personally, I think HB 424 will have a lot of impact in beer culture here as it will open the door for real brewpubs.

From what I understand, the only one of the three that will go to the people is the SJR.

From what I understand, the only one of the three that will go to the people is the SJR.

Awesome. Yeah, 424 is a bigger deal than most people realize. One only has to look at Colorado and their craft beer scene to see what could potentially be coming to Oklahoma after this is implemented.

SB383 likely will get held over until next session, SJR68 which is tied to still needs to pass the house, Mary and the people's vote first. Not to mention two years before it goes into affect.

SB424 goes to the house and then the gov's desk. Once she signs it it'll go into effect 1 July 2016! And yes, this bill is huge! People really don't know how much of affect this bill will have on our local craft beer scene.

I started in on SB383 and got a little bit into it, and realized how huge it was. Luckily, The Thirsty Beagle did a quick summary of it that's pretty helpful:

http://www.thirstybeaglebeerblog.com/2016/05/sb-383-would-flip-oklahomas-alcohol-law.html

My... God... That's a lot to take in...

and what does SB 424 do again? just allow onsite sales?

and what does SB 424 do again? just allow onsite sales?

Pulled from thirsty beagle,

"SB 424 is important to craft brewers because it would allow the holder of a brewer license "to sell beer produced by the licensee to consumers twenty-one (21) years of age or older on the premises of the brewery," according to the bill. Sales could only be conducted between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.


You could foresee SB 424 opening the door for special brewery-only releases. At the least, it would allow brewers to share their full line-up of offerings with visitors, and it will likely encourage the opening of several new breweries or brew pubs.

(As a side note, it appears to me it would allow Belle Isle Brewery, Bricktown Brewery and Royal Bavaria to be able to produce and sell full-strength beer if they so choose, as opposed to the low-point offerings they create now. But don't quote me on that.)"

http://www.thirstybeaglebeerblog.com/2016/05/full-strength-brewery-sales-reality-by.html?m=1

The upcoming Sunshine Cleaners brewery too, or so I'm imagining.

There's a lot of stuff that will be refined after the bills pass (assuming they do). There's leeway in all the bills for some discretion by both ABLE and cities.

Having dealt with ABLE in the past and knowing folks who started up a distillery in Oklahoma (the first one), I can tell you that lots of times they have to sort of make up/interpret the rules as they go along.

There will certainly be confusion as to how this will affect current low point sales. Also I'm not sure what has changed regarding on-premise vs to-go sales (like growlers/crowlers) either.

If you all want SB 424 and SJR 68, you better get on the phone with Speaker Hickman and your representatives, because it's starting to look like the House will not bring them up for a vote in these final days of session, which will kill this for another year.

If you all want SB 424 and SJR 68, you better get on the phone with Speaker Hickman and your representatives, because it's starting to look like the House will not bring them up for a vote in these final days of session, which will kill this for another year.
If that happens, there are still two petitions awaiting for approval.

If that happens, there are still two petitions awaiting for approval.

If they ever get out of the courts.

If you all want SB 424 and SJR 68, you better get on the phone with Speaker Hickman and your representatives, because it's starting to look like the House will not bring them up for a vote in these final days of session, which will kill this for another year.

Good news. All three bills have been scheduled for a vote today, so please call your Representatives and ask them to vote in favor of them.

Good news. All three bills have been scheduled for a vote today, so please call your Representatives and ask them to vote in favor of them.

If it goes like yesterday they'll be burning through bills. I was watching the journal record twitter yesterday for updates and was amazed with the speed they were going through bills. If anyone's interested.. it's here -

https://twitter.com/jrlrok

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/735855944895078400


SB424 has passed in the House by a vote of 69-20. There was an objection to the emergency clause, so it will now go to a vote.

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/735856450421985280


The emergency clause to SB424 has failed - the bill will go into effect in November instead of when signed by Gov.

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/735857322140930048


SB 383 advances fourth reading, 33-12. Cheers, @stephaniebice!

I really wish we had that fancy Tweet embed logic you see on some sites.

A fourth reading means it is going to a vote up or down with 2/3 majority right?

It has been a few years since government class...

Can anyone explain what this means? I don't understand if that means a vote by the people and I don't know what the emergency clause was. I haven't had much luck on the legislature site.

"SB424 has passed in the House by a vote of 69-20. There was an objection to the emergency clause, so it will now go to a vote."

Can anyone explain what this means? I don't understand if that means a vote by the people and I don't know what the emergency clause was. I haven't had much luck on the legislature site.

"SB424 has passed in the House by a vote of 69-20. There was an objection to the emergency clause, so it will now go to a vote."

All this means is it now goes to the governor for her signature and the law goes into effect in November. When the tweet said "it will now go to a vote", that just meant the House voted on whether to declare an emergency; they decided not to declare an emergency, which would have allowed the bill to go into effect immediately upon the governors signature. This bill does not require a vote of the people.

Summary: the bill is now headed to the governor's desk. If she signs it, SB424 will be effective in November.

We are still awaiting SJR68 to be heard in the House. If it passes there, that issue will go to a vote of the people in November.

Can anyone explain what this means? I don't understand if that means a vote by the people and I don't know what the emergency clause was. I haven't had much luck on the legislature site.

"SB424 has passed in the House by a vote of 69-20. There was an objection to the emergency clause, so it will now go to a vote."

From what I understand the emergency clause means it would go in effect once sign by the governor.

That was struck out so now it goes in effect on Nov. 1.

Thanks, folks.

That's what I had assumed by the tweets, but the last status on http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB424 says "To Senate". Will the senate need to revote on it without the emergency clause, or am I just interpreting that incorrectly?

On a different note, the house has gone on recess until 12:45 p.m., so don't expect any action on the SJR until after that.

I just got excited then bummed that it will be Oct. 2018 until anything happens.

Hope it gets to a vote of the people and we pass it.

I just got excited then bummed that it will be Oct. 2018 until anything happens.

Hope it gets to a vote of the people and we pass it.

That's just for SB383 and SJR68. Yes, bummer it will take a while--at least we're on the verge of it finally happening.

SB424 goes into effect this year, assuming gov. signs it.

That's what I had assumed by the tweets, but the last status on http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB424 says "To Senate". Will the senate need to revote on it without the emergency clause, or am I just interpreting that incorrectly?

That's just so the originating house can enroll the bill to the governor.

It's done.

It's now up to the people of Oklahoma. Hopefully they make the right choice. It will be interesting to see how much effort the Baptist Convention of Oklahoma will put into getting this defeated.

http://www.news9.com/story/32072879/oklahoma-senate-oks-bill-expanding-sale-of-strong-beer-wine

It's done.

It's now up to the people of Oklahoma. Hopefully they make the right choice. It will be interesting to see how much effort the Baptist Convention of Oklahoma will put into getting this defeated.

http://www.news9.com/story/32072879/oklahoma-senate-oks-bill-expanding-sale-of-strong-beer-wine

you know why you always take two Baptists fishing with you?.. if you only take one they drink all your beer!

That's just so the originating house can enroll the bill to the governor.

Ahh, thanks.


It's done.

It's now up to the people of Oklahoma. Hopefully they make the right choice. It will be interesting to see how much effort the Baptist Convention of Oklahoma will put into getting this defeated.

http://www.news9.com/story/32072879/oklahoma-senate-oks-bill-expanding-sale-of-strong-beer-wine

Not quite yet, that article is just about SB383. SJR68 still hasn't been voted on by the house.

does SB383 allow liqour stores to sell cold beer?

does SB383 allow liqour stores to sell cold beer?

That's in SJR68 I believe, but could be wrong. Although those two bills are basically packaged together (SB383 details out all the various rules and regulations and structure for able and such in order for SJR68 to be implemented).

The House is spending a lot of time debating SB383. I don't know if the conference committee changed it a lot or anything, but don't these people know they already approved this bill back on the 15th?

Yeah.... I'm starting to get nervous with 383.... so much was packed in there after the fact. Fingers crossed.

30 minutes of debate on deck starting now.

It passed, 52 to 45. Pretty close one.

It passed, 52 to 45. Pretty close one.

There were some good points made in favor of waiting on 383, I have to say, considering they could have worked out all these details if/when SJR68 passes.

The SJR68 debate is fairly lively.

This is turning into a nailbiter..

This is turning into a nailbiter..

64 to 30, passed.

SJR68 passes 64 to 30.

Slightly more context to the big swing:

https://twitter.com/JRLROK/status/735944150323863553


Floor leader Inman comes in with thumbs up and the House Democrats begin to vote green. SJR68 passes by a vote of 64-30. #BargainingChip

Ah, that makes more sense.

So does Fallin still have to sign this or is it guaranteed for the ballot? Any chance she doesn't?

In terms of the statewide vote, what are the chances it passes?

All three passed...what a historic this day is!

I'm most excited about SB424 and the fact that it'll go into effect way quicker than I would have possibly imagined.

All three passed...what a historic this day is!

I'm most excited about SB424 and the fact that it'll go into effect way quicker than I would have possibly imagined.

November, right? As we are voting on 383, 424 goes into effect. No vote required?

The status on SB424 is that it has been sent to the governor for a signature.

For some reason, representative Mulready asked for something about being able to reconsider the vote on both SB383 and SJR68 after shepherding both though to approval in the house. Assuming that isn't some additional complication that could derail things, I'm assuming that SB383 will also be going to Fallin and that SJR68 will be on the ballot in November.

Could someone smarter than I explain what sb424 means to me as a consumer of locally-crafted beer? What additional products can a brewery offer because of this bill they cannot currently offer?

Lawmakers OK bill expanding strong beer, wine sales

By: Tim Talley Associated Press May 26, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans will decide whether to expand access to alcohol in the state and permit cold strong beer and wine to be sold in grocery and convenience stores under legislation state lawmakers approved Thursday.

The House and Senate passed measures that authorize a sweeping overhaul of the state’s alcohol laws but hinge on voter approval in November.

Currently, liquor, wine and strong beer are sold only at licensed package stores, which are strictly regulated and closed on Sundays. Oklahoma allows refrigerated low-point beer to be sold at grocery and convenience stores until 2 a.m. and on Sundays.

Supporters of the measures said that 41 other states already allow the sale of strong beer and wine in grocery stores and that the measures are needed to update Oklahoma’s alcohol laws. Oklahoma is one of only five states that only allow grocery stores to sell 3.2 percent alcohol content beer.

“It promotes small business. It gives consumers choice,” said the House author of the measures, state Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa.

State Sen. Stephanie Bice, who worked on the proposal in the Senate, described the thorny mix of statutes and constitutional changes needed to modernize the statutes as “somewhat of an unscrambling of the egg.”

“It required us to do an entire title rewrite,” said Bice, R-Oklahoma City. “This has been a long process.”

But opponents said expanding access to alcohol will lead to an increase in problem drinking, especially underage drinking.

“This is not a good bill to protect all the areas of our society,” said state Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell.

State Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, said the measures make no attempt to raise taxes on alcohol for what would be the first time in 30 years to provide funds to treat problem drinkers.

“You’re going to have these negative social consequences,” Nelson said.

The measures, which have been opposed by the Retail Liquor Association of Oklahoma, may force many small liquor stores in the state to close, said state Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City.

The Senate voted 33-12 for the 285-page bill. The House later approved the measure on a 52-45 vote and sent it to Gov. Mary Fallin to be signed into law.

The bill is a companion measure to a question that received final passage in the House that will go on the November ballot asking voters to loosen Oklahoma’s alcohol laws. If the ballot question passes, the measures would go into effect in 2018. If it fails, the legislation would be dead.

Earlier Thursday, the House gave final approval to a separate measure that would authorize on-site beer sales at breweries.

Organizations that support the measures praised their passage.

“A legislative solution was always our top priority and now we can shift our focus to getting out the vote in November,” said Tyler Moore, spokesman for Oklahomans for Consumer Freedom, a coalition of retailers, consumers, and free-market advocates.

Eric James, senior director of sales and marketing for Anheuser-Busch Sales of Oklahoma, said the company has been a staunch advocate for updating the state’s liquor laws.

“We are confident that this November, Oklahomans will support modernization, consumer choice and economic growth,” James said in a statement.

From what I have seen so far, it seems like a lot of opposition to this is going to come from the religious right. There is going to be a lot of scare tactics out there about how this will increase underage drinking, increase drunk driving, and tear at the moral fabric of this state. My guess is the passage will depend on young people turning out to vote. Most younger people, even those that are churchgoing, don't see alcohol as the social taboo that the older generation (who grew up in a state where liquor by the drink was not legal) do.

From what I have seen so far, it seems like a lot of opposition to this is going to come from the religious right. There is going to be a lot of scare tactics out there about how this will increase underage drinking, increase drunk driving, and tear at the moral fabric of this state. My guess is the passage will depend on young people turning out to vote. Most younger people, even those that are churchgoing, don't see alcohol as the social taboo that the older generation (who grew up in a state where liquor by the drink was not legal) do.

I for one am very religious (not a member of the religious right though), do not drink myself (I have seen alcohol destroy too much to support it with my dollars) and think the world would be a lot better place without alcohol (in my dreams!), but I will vote for this measure in November because I support free market principles and more choice for the consumer in this particular case. I just don't see how this is a bad thing for the state. I don't buy the opposition's arguments.

From what I have seen so far, it seems like a lot of opposition to this is going to come from the religious right. There is going to be a lot of scare tactics out there about how this will increase underage drinking, increase drunk driving, and tear at the moral fabric of this state. My guess is the passage will depend on young people turning out to vote. Most younger people, even those that are churchgoing, don't see alcohol as the social taboo that the older generation (who grew up in a state where liquor by the drink was not legal) do.
So that helps explain why Pottawatomie County, where Shawnee is, could not pass legalizing liquor by the drink on Sundays? I suppose having Oklahoma Baptist University there didn't help matters. But, still, the vote was very close.

Anyway, the religious right will have to turn out in big enough numbers in the two biggest counties, Oklahoma and Tulsa, to defeat alcohol law reform. They certainly have not been able to do that in the past. I think the religious right has been much better in making sure alcohol law reform questions would not be permitted a vote. So as I see it, the recent developments already represent a huge defeat for the religious right.