2015 House Bill 4581 / Public Act 246

Increase state payments to liquor distribution oligopolists

Introduced in the House

May 12, 2015

Introduced by Rep. Kathy Crawford (R-38)

To eliminate a $7.50 cap on the per-case fee that the three private companies granted a state oligopoly to warehouse and distribute liquor to retailers can collect from the state as a "reimbursement" for their distribution costs. The measure was recommended in a 2012 report by the state "Office of Regulatory Reinvention".

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

Sept. 16, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Oct. 8, 2015

Substitute offered by Rep. Kathy Crawford (R-38)

To adopt a version of the bill that increased the reimbursement cap to $10 per case rather than eliminating the cap.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 102 to 4 (details)

To increase from $7.50 to $10 the per-case fee that the private company or companies granted a state monopoly to warehouse and distribute liquor to retailers can collect from the state as a "reimbursement" for its distribution costs. According to the House Fiscal Agency the bill would have the effect of transferring some $10 million annually from taxpayers to these private companies or company.

Received in the Senate

Oct. 13, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

Dec. 3, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 15, 2015

Passed in the Senate 36 to 2 (details)

To increase from $7.50 to $8.25 the per-case fee that the private company or companies granted a state monopoly to warehouse and distribute liquor to retailers can collect from the state as a "reimbursement" for its distribution costs. According to the Senate Fiscal Agency the bill would have the effect of transferring an additional $5.8 million annually from taxpayers to these private companies.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 22, 2015