House bill binds wine to farm law

California codes focus of legislation

The Arkansas House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would empower a state agency to bar California wine from coming into the state.

House Bill 1934, by Rep. Dan Douglas, R-Bentonville, passed 57-19. The bill would prohibit wine imports from a state that "imposes standards on agricultural products if those standards impose a substantial burden on this state's agriculture industry."

The secretary of the Arkansas Agriculture Department would be in charge of determining what constitutes a substantial burden. The bill also would give the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division power to sanction businesses that sell wines in violation of the act, including revoking a wine and beer license.

Douglas said Thursday that the bill was written to protest a California rule that bans the import of eggs from farm operations that keep hens in small cages that prevent them from turning around.

The ban on California produced eggs was approved by voters in a statewide ballot initiative in 2008 as Proposition 2, and it was extended to imported eggs by California lawmakers in 2010.

Douglas said he was afraid the restrictions could lead to further California bans on the poultry industry, on cattle or on other products based on air quality restrictions.

"We have to put a stop to this. We have to show the state of California, they cannot force their standards on us," Douglas said.

Opponents of the bill said that they were concerned about the economic effect the bill would have on Arkansas, including possible retaliation by California lawmakers.

"As stupid and foolish as their decision is, rather than poke ourselves in the eye, let's show them that we are the bigger state and we're not going to retaliate. But we'll let them suffer from their own stupidity and not force Arkansans to suffer similarly," said Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville.

Alcohol industry experts estimated during a committee hearing on HB1934 that as much as 90 percent of the wine sold in Arkansas come from California.

The bill heads to the Senate.

Metro on 03/27/2015

Upcoming Events