Revision: Jan. 6, 2026, 10:47 a.m.
HB 1765-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2026 SESSION
26-2508
08/06
HOUSE BILL 1765-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. Hunt, Ches. 14
COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill enables wine and beverage manufacturers to offer tastings of and to sell products of certain New Hampshire wine and beverage manufacturers.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
26-2508
08/06
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Wine Manufacturer Licenses; Sale. Amend RSA 178:8, II - III to read as follows:
II. Each wine manufacturer in this state shall have the right to sell and to transport and deliver wines manufactured by it directly to the holders of on-premises, [or] off-premises, or wine manufacturer licenses issued by the commission. No wine manufactured in this state by any manufacturer shall be sold or delivered in this state in any manner which is inconsistent with the provisions of this title.
III. Each wine manufacturer shall have the right to sell at retail or wholesale at its winery, and at retail at one wine manufacturer retail outlet, for off-premises consumption any of its wines. The wine manufacturer shall pay an annual fee of $216 to the commission for the wine manufacturer retail outlet. The wine manufacturer may transport wines it manufactures to its wine manufacturer retail outlet or to the retail outlets of other wine manufacturer license holders for sample or sale. Visitors of legal drinking age at the manufacturing location or wine manufacturer retail outlet may be provided with samples of wine manufactured by the licensee in this state for tasting. A wine manufacturer may either provide samples for free or for a fee which shall be limited to one 2-ounce sample per label or one 5-ounce glass per person. At such times as food is available, a wine manufacturer may serve no more than 2 5-ounce glasses per person in any areas approved by the commission. For the purpose of this section, food and non-alcoholic beverages may be provided by a properly-licensed third party food vendor, prepared on or off the premises. Pursuant to rules adopted by the commission, a wine manufacturer may transport its products to a farmers' market or a wine festival licensed under RSA 178:31, and may sell such products at retail in the original container.
2 Beverage Manufacturer License; Sale. Amend RSA 178:12, IV(b) to read as follows:
(b) A holder of a beverage manufacturer license who manufactures 15,000 barrels or less during its licensing period may elect to distribute its beverages directly to retail licensees, other beverage manufacturer licenses, and/or to distribute its beverages pursuant to RSA 180, provided that total in-state direct retail sales do not exceed 5,000 barrels.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
26-2508
Revised 1/5/26
HB 1765-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable Increase $10,000 to $100,000 | Indeterminable Increase $10,000 to $100,000 | Indeterminable Increase $10,000 to $100,000 | ||
Revenue Fund(s) | Liquor Fund/General Fund - Liquor revenue is credited to the liquor fund, with net revenues after expenditures being credited to the state general fund. | |||||
Expenditures* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source(s) | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill allows certain New Hampshire wine and beverage manufacturers to offer tastings and to sell their products at additional retail locations, including allowing wine manufacturers to sell their products through other wine manufacturer retail outlets and expanding direct distribution options for qualifying beverage manufacturers.
The Liquor Commission states this bill would result in an increase in state revenues. With respect to wine manufacturers, the bill allows New Hampshire wine manufacturers to transport and sell their products through third party wine retail locations and removes the requirement that a wine manufacturer retail outlet sell only the products it produces. While the Commission licenses and tracks all wine products sold in the state, it is unable to predict the volume of additional sales that may result from these changes. As a result, the Commission estimates the bill could generate additional revenues between $10,000 and $100,000 per fiscal year.
With respect to beverage manufacturers, the bill allows manufacturers producing 15,000 barrels or less per year to distribute beverages directly to retail licensees or other beverage manufacturers, provided in state direct retail sales do not exceed 5,000 barrels. The Commission states all beverages manufactured in New Hampshire are currently taxed at $0.30 per gallon. If the bill results in increased beverage sales, state beer tax revenues would increase; however, the amount of any increase is indeterminable.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Liquor Commission