The Mississippi House approved a bill Thursday to allow alcohol permit holders to purchase directly from manufacturers or authorized sellers for the next two years. The move aims to address a backlog caused by software failures at the Mississippi Alcohol Beverage Control warehouse in Gluckstadt and delays in opening a new facility.
House members discussed the ongoing issues during a meeting with Mississippi Department of Revenue Commissioner Chris Graham, who oversees ABC. Rep. Kevin Horan, R-Grenada, said the problem is not a supply shortage but a distribution failure. “We’ve got a total mess, especially when we’ve got a warehouse full of product we can’t get to the package store owners,” he told Mornings with Richard Cross on Feb. 23.
The legislation, inserted into Senate Bill 2838, was passed with bipartisan support in a 112-2 vote. It would permit licensed alcohol retailers to purchase directly from manufacturers until July 1, 2028, giving time for the ABC to resolve its software issues and complete the new warehouse, expected to open by fall.
Rep. Hank Zuber, R-Ocean Springs, who presented the bill on the House floor, cited examples of stores and venues suffering inventory shortages. He said three stores in north Mississippi have been closed for two weeks due to lack of stock, and a Coast casino wedding lacked champagne last week. Zuber expressed optimism the Senate will approve the measure, which he said has garnered support from several senators.
Mississippi is one of 17 states where the government operates wholesale distribution of wine and spirits, according to industry data.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
