Utah is considering legalizing homebrew!

[BeehiveBrewer]

I wrote a letter to my rep. You can find your rep at: http://http://le.utah.gov/

then click Legislators, then click Find by Address/Map

"...The Utah Legislature General Session ends on March 5, 2008. Therefore
time
is of the essence."


Apparently the bill had a favorable recommendation in the House Rules Committee yesterday. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds good.

Bill info: http://le.utah.gov/~2008/htmdoc/hbillhtm/HB0425S01.htm

"....the bill that would make this possible is before the
Utah
House of Representatives (HB 425), has already been introduced, and is
with
the House Rules Committee. It must make its way through committee
before it
can go back to the floor for a debate and vote. Encouraging your
legislator to support this bill is important at every step of the way."

 

[mrkristofo]

Thanks for that!

Edit: Emails sent to my representative (L. Wiley) and Senator (R. Romero). By looking at the votes, it appears my rep is already on-board. booya!

Editx2: Just spoke to AHA Director Gary Class who testified on the floor yesterday. He said he though the bill was very well received given the unanimous "Yea" vote, but it's questionable whether it will make it past the House floor for open vote and then past the Senate. Utahns, write your representative & senator to urge your support for HB 425

 

[Nyxator]

Right on. Good luck, Utahns. Seems to me that the bill reads the same as the ones passed in most other states, allowing 200g per year per household. I actually did not know it was illegal there, still. I know some brewers from Utah...

 

[BeehiveBrewer]

My rep isn't on the committee, but it looks like they were all yeas.

Onto the house!

 

[EdWort]

Good luck! I lived there as a Homebrew fugitive for 5 years brewing in Happy Valley. For some unknown reason, I could not get any of the missionariess to try my beer when they stopped by. I told them I would invite them in if they would enjoy a beer with me, but they always declined and moved on.

 

[brewt00l]

Do they actually enforce the current legislation that makes homebrewing illegal?

 

[zoebisch01]

Do they actually enforce the current legislation that makes homebrewing illegal?

I think a lot of laws are written so that they are not really enforced but in place to make you a criminal when you aren't really doing anything wrong .

 

[Matt Foley]

Wow, I did not realize that this bill was even pending. Just last night as I was pouring a tall one for a guest we talked about the illegality here. Its funny as the Beer Nut and Arts Brewing Supplies have been around for a long time in SLC. Of course selling brewing supplies has never been illegal, just using them. Its seems like back in the early 90s I used to hear stories of Art catching some hell. Anyway, I am contacting my legislator. Thanks.

 

[EdWort]

Wow, I did not realize that this bill was even pending. Just last night as I was pouring a tall one for a guest we talked about the illegality here. Its funny as the Beer Nut and Arts Brewing Supplies have been around for a long time in SLC. Of course selling brewing supplies has never been illegal, just using them. Its seems like back in the early 90s I used to hear stories of Art catching some hell. Anyway, I am contacting my legislator. Thanks.

Yeah, I used to get all my supplies at the Beer Nut in SLC. I had asked them many years ago about an all grain brewing class. They could do it all the way up to pitching the yeast. If they were to ever add yeast, that would be breaking the law and they did not want to bring scrutiny to the business.

Utah is a bit backwards regarding alcohol due to the Mormon influence in their legislature. One's gotta buy a membership in a pub to get a beer in most places still.

 

[BeehiveBrewer]

I don't think they have ever enforced the law, but I don't want to be the one they start on.

I wonder if they will include a keg clause since you can't buy kegs in Utah either?

Let's hope so:fro:

 

[feedthebear]

I hope they'll legalize it. But I'm not holding my breath.

 

[eschatz]

buy a membership to drink in a pub?!!!! damn, i just complain about the blue law in indiana! (you cant buy on sunday)

 

[knipknup]

Do you mind sharing your letter? I started to write one the other day but am unsure how to word a letter.

"Hey, I'm a homebrewer that just relocated to Utah, your vote for the bill can make me a law abiding citizen of the State", just doesn't sound like it will make a good impression.

Thanks.

 

[mrkristofo]

Mine was pretty much a copy/paste effort from the AHA website.

To my rep:

Rep. [Rep's name]l

I am writing to you regarding HB 425, which amends Utah state code to legalize Homebrewing in the state of UT. Homebrewing beer and wine is a fun, interesting and rewarding hobby that is steeped in traditions that began in ancient cultures. Legalization began in the United States in 1978, and it is estimated over 1 million Americans have tried homebrewing since then. What other hobbies can claim such a rich history? There is more beer and brewing activity now than ever before. More and more people are being educated about the varied styles of beer and methods of brewing.

Homebrewing should be legal and recognized everywhere in the United States. We have the right to brew just as we have a responsibility to uphold the tradition of the art, craft and science of brewing. Homebrewing as a hobby builds respect for beer as an alcohol-containing beverage, for brewing traditions and for the craft-brewing industry as a whole. The federal government has even acknowledged, for the first time, that consuming some alcohol can be healthful, according to the New York Times News Service. Homebrewers are responsible members of society across a broad spectrum, including managers, computer programmers, doctors, scientists, teachers, lawyers and parents. We are responsible about our consumption of beer because we are educated about its effects on our bodies and the role beer plays in our own lives and in society.

As your constituent, I strongly request your support for HB 425.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

To my Senator:

Senator [Name],

I am writing to you regarding HB 425, which amends Utah state code to legalize Homebrewing in the state of UT. Currently it is in in the House awaiting its third reading. I have already written Rep. Wiley urging his support, and should this bill be passed to the Senate, I would like to request the same from you.

Homebrewing beer and wine is a fun, interesting and rewarding hobby that is steeped in traditions that began in ancient cultures. Legalization began in the United States in 1978, and it is estimated over 1 million Americans have tried homebrewing since then. What other hobbies can claim such a rich history? There is more beer and brewing activity now than ever before. More and more people are being educated about the varied styles of beer and methods of brewing.

Homebrewing should be legal and recognized everywhere in the United States. We have the right to brew just as we have a responsibility to uphold the tradition of the art, craft and science of brewing. Homebrewing as a hobby builds respect for beer as an alcohol-containing beverage, for brewing traditions and for the craft-brewing industry as a whole. The federal government has even acknowledged, for the first time, that consuming some alcohol can be healthful, according to the New York Times News Service. Homebrewers are responsible members of society across a broad spectrum, including managers, computer programmers, doctors, scientists, teachers, lawyers and parents. We are responsible about our consumption of beer because we are educated about its effects on our bodies and the role beer plays in our own lives and in society.

As your constituent, I strongly request your support for HB 425.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

 

[Rockybottom]

If it does not pass just move a little north, everybody else seems to be

Good luck but don't hold your breath the "influence" is deep there. (here also. I feel your pain)

 

[sflcowboy78]

I think a lot of laws are written so that they are not really enforced but in place to make you a criminal when you aren't really doing anything wrong .

Just curious and i might sound stupid for asking this, but how can State Law supersede Federal Law. The way i see it is the state although may have their local laws, they still have to abide by federal laws. If the Federal law says it is legal to brew, then shouldn't it override state law. Example local city has laws, city is part of state city has to follow state laws, state is part of country, state has to follow country laws. If this is not true then all we really all is a group of countries joined together for strength, each state really being it's own country.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Just curious and i might sound stupid for asking this, but how can State Law supersede Federal Law. The way i see it is the state although may have their local laws, they still have to abide by federal laws. If the Federal law says it is legal to brew, then shouldn't it override state law. Example local city has laws, city is part of state city has to follow state laws, state is part of country, state has to follow country laws. If this is not true then all we really all is a group of countries joined together for strength, each state really being it's own country.

The Federal Law doesn't explicitly legalize homebrew. The law merely gives states the right to enact legislation legalizing the brewing of up to 100 gallons of beer a year (200 gallons for 2 adults living together). In other words, the Federal Law just gives states the broad outline of the maximum permitted extent of the law which may be enacted by the states. From there, it is up to the individual states to choose whether or not to enact such legislation.

Lots of states allow homebrewing, but set limits that are actually lower than those allowed by the Fed. That is the states' right to do so.

 

[Nyxator]

The laws themselves basically allow someone to make small amounts of beer without first obtaining a license, not necessarily legalize it. If a state wants to make a stricter law, they are welcome to do so.

 

[Homercidal]

Well, if'n I lived in Utah, I'd still brew me up some beer.

I know... I'm a rebel! >8D

 

[mrkristofo]

The Federal Law doesn't explicitly legalize homebrew. The law merely gives states the right to enact legislation legalizing the brewing of up to 100 gallons of beer a year (200 gallons for 2 adults living together). In other words, the Federal Law just gives states the broad outline of the maximum permitted extent of the law which may be enacted by the states. From there, it is up to the individual states to choose whether or not to enact such legislation.

Lots of states allow homebrewing, but set limits that are actually lower than those allowed by the Fed. That is the states' right to do so.

Also, in repealing prohibition, the states were granted their own powers to regulate alcohol. It's in the second section of the 21st amendment.

 

[RockfordWhite]

Yeah, states have all the power over alcohol, but the US goverment gives them incentives to follow their lead...like the whole 21 drinking age is not a national law, but if a state decides not to follow it, they get no money for highway development and maintenance...too bad the federal government didn't feel as strongly about kegs

 

[Homercidal]

Michigan has crappy roads, AND the drinking age is 21...

 

[mrkristofo]

It's on the calendar to be read...oh boy...

 

[user 9797]

Ah, I heard about this on Basic Brewing radio - good luck!

 

[Wort*hog]

First I've heard of it. Hope it passes. Not sure if it will be as much fun bein' legal and all!

 

[Wort*hog]

It passed in the House Wednesday 55 to 13. It will now be considered in the Senate.

 

[EdWort]

It passed in the House Wednesday 55 to 13. It will now be considered in the Senate.

Wooo HOOO. Time to start writing your state senators. Don't email, send them a real letter or fax them. Call them on the phone too. It works! Be part of the process, then pat yourself on the back for coming out of the darkness as illegal homebrewers. Amnesty for all of you!

 

[Brewsmith]

I'll just bump this to keep it near the top of new posts. EdWort is right on. Send them real letters and faxes.

 

[ryan_boc]

The Free the Hops movement here in Alabama just got a law introduced here to legalize homebrewing (among other brew related laws). I wish Utah the best of luck in getting this passed. That way hopefully AL will finally de-criminalize my hobby. I'm hoping state legislators wouldn't take to kindly to being beat to anything by Utah

 

[BeehiveBrewer]

Wrote my senator. If the house vote was any indication, it is looking good!

I listened to the audio debate on another alcohol bill, and I didn't realize the 86% markup on liquor goes to the school lunch program. Interesting.