HB 1240 -- MISSOURI WINE

This bill creates the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Council, which is to consist of 5 members elected by commercial
producers.  Qualifications, duties, and terms of office are set
out in the bill.

The bill also assesses a pro rata charge of $3 per ton of grapes
or per 160 gallons of grape juice processed by commercial
producers.  All moneys generated by the charge are to be
deposited into the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Development Fund, which is created by the bill.  Moneys in the
fund are to be appropriated annually by the General Assembly
through the Department of Agriculture for the use and benefit of
the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research Council.  Such moneys
are to be used for enology research, education, and marketing of
wine produced in Missouri.

The sunset provision on the current 6 cent charge per gallon of
wine sold in Missouri is removed.

HB 1240 -- MISSOURI WINE (Parker)

This bill creates the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Council, which is to consist of 5 members elected by commercial
producers.  Qualifications, duties, and terms of office are set
out in the bill.

The bill also assesses a pro rata charge of $3 a ton of grapes
or 160 gallons of grape juice processed by commercial
producers.  All moneys generated by the charge are to be
deposited into the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Development Fund.  Moneys in the fund are to be appropriated
annually by the General Assembly through the Department of
Agriculture for the use and benefit of the Missouri Wine
Marketing and Research Council.  Such moneys are to be used for
enology research, education, and marketing of wine produced in
Missouri.

The sunset provision on the current 6 cent charge per gallon of
wine sold in Missouri is removed.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Income to Marketing and Research
Fund of $0 to $6,500 in FY 1999, $0 to $7,000 in FY 2000, and $0
to $8,000 in FY 2001.

HB 1240 -- MISSOURI WINE

SPONSOR:  Parker

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Agri-Business by a vote of 12 to 6.

This bill creates the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Council, which is to consist of 5 members elected by commercial
producers.  Qualifications, duties, and terms of office are set
out in the bill.

The bill also assesses a pro rata charge of $3 a ton of grapes
or 160 gallons of grape juice processed by commercial
producers.  All moneys generated by the charge are to be
deposited into the Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Development Fund.  Moneys in the fund are to be appropriated
annually by the General Assembly through the Department of
Agriculture for the use and benefit of the Missouri Wine
Marketing and Research Council.  Such moneys are to be used for
enology research, education, and marketing of wine produced in
Missouri.

The bill also increases from the current 6 cents to 8 cents the
pro rata charge per gallon of wine sold in Missouri.  All
revenues derived from the charge are to be deposited to the
credit of a separate account in the Marketing Development Fund.
Moneys in the account are to be used by the division within the
Department of Agriculture concerned with market development
programs for the growing, selling, and marketing of grapes and
grape products.  The sunset provision on the current 6 cent
charge per gallon of wine sold in Missouri is removed.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Increase to Marketing and Research
Fund of $0 to $6,500 in FY 1999, $0 to $7,000 in FY 2000, and $0
to $8,000 in FY 2001.  Income to Marketing Development Fund of
$143,000 in FY 1999, $144,000 in FY 2000, and $145,000 in FY
2001.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that a Missouri wine producer
license requires the producer to use at least 85% Missouri
grapes. Currently Missouri is not producing an adequate grape
crop for wine producers and long term research on heartier grape
stock is necessary for Missouri to continue to reclaim its place
in the national market.  A steady revenue flow is required to
attract and keep top researchers.  This bill is supported by all
Missouri wine producers.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Parker; Missouri
Department of Agriculture; St. James Winery; and Southwest
Missouri State University.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill object to increasing from
6 cents to 8 cents the pro rata charge per gallon of wine sold
in Missouri as well as the removal of the sunset on this
provision of law.

Testifying against the bill were Wine Institute; and Missouri
Wine Spirits Association.

Roland Tackett, Legislative Analyst

HB 1240 -- Missouri Wine

Sponsor:  Parker

This bill creates the "Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Council," which is to consist of 5 members elected by commercial
producers.  Qualifications, duties, and terms of office are set
out in the bill.

The bill also assesses a pro rata charge of $3 a ton of grapes
or 160 gallons of grape juice processed by commercial
producers.  All moneys generated by the charge are to be
deposited into the "Missouri Wine Marketing and Research
Development Fund."  Moneys in the fund are to be appropriated
annually by the General Assembly through the Department of
Agriculture for the use and benefit of the Missouri Wine
Marketing and Research Council.  Such moneys are to be used for
enology research, education, and marketing of wine produced in
Missouri.

The bill also increases from the current 6 cents to 8 cents the
pro rata charge per gallon of wine sold in Missouri.  All
revenues derived from the charge are to be deposited to the
credit of a separate account in the Marketing Development Fund.
Moneys in the account are to be used by the division within the
Department of Agriculture concerned with market development
programs for the growing, selling, and marketing of grapes and
grape products.  The sunset provision on the current 6 cent
charge per gallon of wine sold in Missouri is removed.