Heavy beer may get tax break

A bill to reduce the mark-up on heavy beers, with an alcohol content higher than 3.2 percent, received a unanimous nod Tuesday from the Senate Business and Labor Committee.

Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, sponsor of SB95 called the bill an economic development measure, similiar to a previous bill that lowered the mark-up on certain wines. It reduces the mark-up from 64.5 percent to 30 percent for beers sold in state liquor stores. There is no fiscal note attached to the bill, which he said would not impact the school lunch fund.

"The intent of this bill is economic development for small distilleries," Dmitrich said. "You have to apply to get the reduction."

The bill will now be debated by the full Senate.