Modifies provisions relating to the distribution of certain wine excise tax revenues
Summary
SB 753 revises Missouri’s wine excise tax statutes by changing the per-gallon charges imposed on wine sales and redirecting how the resulting revenue is distributed. The bill lowers the base wine charge in section 311.550 from 30 cents to 21 cents per gallon, while increasing the additional charge in section 311.554 from 6 cents to 10.5 cents per gallon. It also updates the statutory language governing the Missouri Wine and Grape Fund and related agricultural funding provisions, while preserving the existing framework for collection, enforcement, and penalties tied to unpaid liquor and wine charges.
The bill’s effective date is delayed until July 1, 2026, meaning the repeal and reenactment of the affected sections would not take effect immediately. In practical terms, the measure would alter the flow of wine excise tax revenue between agricultural and wine-industry support accounts, with the stated uses remaining focused on agricultural business development, marketing, grape and wine industry development, and related department of agriculture functions. It does not create a new tax category, but it does change the rate structure and the statutory destination of the revenue.
Impact
SB 753 would amend sections 311.550 and 311.554, RSMo, affecting the state’s wine excise tax rates and the allocation of those revenues. The bill changes the amount collected per gallon of wine and preserves the dedicated-fund structure that supports agricultural marketing, grape and wine development, and the Missouri Wine and Grape Board. It would also maintain existing criminal penalties and licensing requirements tied to unlawful liquor sales and tax nonpayment, while shifting the financial burden and revenue distribution for wine producers, wholesalers, and related agricultural programs.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears neutral and technical rather than highly contentious. The measure is framed as a revenue-distribution and tax-rate adjustment bill, suggesting a policy focus on funding streams for agriculture and the wine industry rather than a broader ideological dispute. No formal vote history or committee debate is available here to indicate organized support or opposition.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the change in wine excise tax rates and how the resulting revenue is allocated. Wine producers, distributors, and agricultural stakeholders may differ on whether the revised rates and fund destinations adequately support industry development or impose unnecessary costs. Another possible issue is the delayed effective date, which may reflect a desire to phase in the changes or align them with budget cycles. No specific opponents or supporters are identified in the provided record.