Lawmakers postpone vote on brewery bill

In Annapolis,  the senate decides to postpone the vote on a bill that some say could be catastrophic to the state's breweries.

House Bill 1283 has already been approved in the House.

But Wednesday, lawmakers said amendments would be made to the bill after many in the industry expressed concern.

The original bill put new limits on Maryland class 5 breweries such as production, hours of operation and collaborations.

Wednesday’s amendments extend hours of tasting rooms and allow contract brewing.

47 ABC spoke to Jason Hearn, the owner of Tall Tales Brewery in Parsonsburg, Maryland.

Hearn went to to Annapolis and says the senate gained insight by interviewing breweries who are about to start their business in the state.

“Some who had taken on major commitments with loans and put in their life savings and how it would possibly affect them,” Hearn said.

Comptroller Peter Franchot was also in Annapolis today, testifying against the bill.

“The passage of this legislation would effectively end the innovative and collaborative spirit that is flourishing in the Maryland beer community and no one, not the brewer, not the consumer and not our state will benefit," Franchot said.

A vote on the bill is now expected next week.