Beginning this summer, wine lovers will be able to order to their homes after Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bill making Mississippi the latest state to allow direct wine shipment.
SB 2145 passed both chambers of the legislature last month before the Republican governor gave his stamp of approval. Under the soon-to-be-enacted law, up to 12 cases of wine can be shipped to residents per year with someone 21 or older having to show identification when signing for the order. The new services will be available beginning July 1.
The bill’s author, Republican Sen. Walter Michel, said direct wine shipment makes sense for several reasons: allowing consumers a broader range of rare and specialty wines, collecting additional tax revenue, and saving floor space at local retailers.
“You’ve got people willing to pay hundreds of dollars on a bottle that we’re going to put a 15.5 percent tax on, and the state will not even have to inventory that product,” Michel said.
Of the 15.5% tax collected on each sale, 3% will go toward mental health services with the remaining being stowed away in the state’s general fund. Non-wine beverages, such as liquor and beer, were not included in the measure.
Mississippi lawmakers are still mulling over other alcohol-related legislation, including one that would allow liquor stores to open on Sundays. HB 92 passed the House and now awaits approval from the Senate Finance Committee before it can head to the floor for a full vote.
