| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2010 | Contact: Rebecca Spicer Contact: Kathleen Joyce |
NBWA Applauds the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA)’s Support of the CARE Act
Organization Representing Alcohol Beverage Control States Affirms States’ Role to Regulate Alcohol
Alexandria, VA – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) – which represents the interests of America’s 2,850 licensed, independent beer distributors – applauds the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) for passing a resolution that affirms the organization’s support for H.R. 5034, “The Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act of 2010” or “CARE Act.”
The resolution identifies alcohol as a “unique product;” acknowledges that the states have “primary authority to regulate alcohol” in accordance with the 21st Amendment; recognizes that a majority of states have faced litigation challenging their ability to “effectively regulate alcohol” and that the CARE Act seeks to “restore the primacy of state regulation in litigation challenges.”
After the resolution passed, NABCA issued a press release in which NABCA Board Chairman and Director of the Maine State Liquor and Lottery Commission, Dan Gwadosky, said, “As control state regulators we’re entrusted with balancing our responsibilities for protecting communities and providing a fair and modern alcohol marketplace. It is critical that we have the full ability to adapt to new opportunities and challenges that we may face with respect to this unique product.”
“NABCA’s public support of the CARE Act sends a clear and strong message to Congress that states want to preserve the existing regulatory framework, which effectively and safely provides alcohol to American consumers of legal drinking age. We commend NABCA’s resolution,” said NBWA President Craig Purser.
In April, the CARE Act, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT).
The CARE Act aims to clarify congressional intent that states have primary authority to regulate alcohol; prevent the additional erosion of state-based alcohol regulation through the expansion of the Granholm v. Heald decision; and clarify that state alcohol laws are presumed to be valid and that plaintiffs should have the burden of proof. The legislation does not change current laws that allow direct-to-consumer shipments of wine.
# # #
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America’s 2,850 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America’s beer distributors, visit www.AmericasBeerDistributors.com.
