HB1251 • 2026

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Provides relative to manufacturing distillers (EG SEE FISC NOTE SG RV See Note)

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Jeremy LaCombe
Last action: 2026-05-26
Official status: Pending Senate final passage - Sched. for 5/27/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on whether the bill affects other types of alcoholic beverage businesses beyond small distilleries.

Alcoholic Beverages Permit for Small Distillers

This bill creates a new permit requirement and fee structure for small distilleries that produce less than 100 gallons of alcohol per year.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new law requiring in-state manufacturing distillers to get a special permit if they make less than 100 gallons of alcohol each year.
Sets the cost of this permit at $100 for small distilleries that produce under 100 gallons annually.

Who It Names or Affects

In-state manufacturing distillers who make less than 100 gallons of alcohol per year will need to get a new permit and pay $100 annually.

Terms To Know

Manufacturing Distiller: A business that makes alcoholic beverages through distillation, like whiskey or rum.
Permit: An official document allowing a business to operate legally and follow specific rules.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a small distillery fails to get the required permit.
It is unclear how this new law will be enforced or monitored by the government.

Bill History

2026-05-26 S
Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
2026-05-25 S
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
2026-05-21 S
Reported favorably.
2026-05-12 S
Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Judiciary B.
2026-05-11 S
Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.
2026-05-07 H
Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 98, nays 0. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
2026-05-06 H
Scheduled for floor debate on 05/07/2026.
2026-05-06 H
Read by title, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.
2026-05-05 H
Read by title, substitute title adopted, lies over in the same order of business, substitute for HB No. 541 reported by the Committee on Judiciary (10-0).

Official Summary Text

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Provides relative to manufacturing distillers (EG SEE FISC NOTE SG RV See Note)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HLS 26RS-3922 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1251 (Substitute for House Bill No. 541 by Representative LaCombe)
BY REPRESENTATIVE LACOMBE
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Provides relative to manufacturing distillers
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 26:71(A)(8), relative to a manufacturing distiller; to provide for a permit; to
3 provide for the cost of the permit; and to provide for related matters.
4 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
5 Section 1. R.S. 26:71(A)(8) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
6 §71. Permits required; fees; exception
7 A. Except as provided in Subsections B and C of this Section, before
8 engaging in the business of manufacturing, supplying, or dealing in alcoholic
9 beverages, all persons shall obtain from the commissioner, according to established
10 rules and regulations, a permit to conduct each separate business and shall pay the
11 commissioner a fee not to exceed the amounts provided for in the following schedule
12 and in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of the
13 Administrative Procedure Act for each year the permit is valid:
14 * * *
15 (8) In-state manufacturing distillers that distill less than one hundred gallons
16 - one hundred dollars.
17 * * *
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-3922 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 1251
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1251 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session LaCombe
Abstract: Provides relative to permits for in-state manufacturing distillers producing less
than 100 gallons.
Present law authorizes the commissioner of the office of alcohol and tobacco control to issue
a permit for a fee to entities in the business of manufacturing, supplying, or dealing in
alcoholic beverages.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that an in-state manufacturing distiller that
distills less than 100 gallons per year may receive a permit for a fee of $100.
(Adds R.S. 26:71(A)(8))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.