LINCOLN- After sixty-three days of constant debate and filibustering, the Nebraska Legislature finally placed its first bill onto Governor Pillen's desk. On Monday evening, the Legislature voted 41-0 to advance Sen. Lowe's LB376, a bill that would, among other things, allow the Liquor Control Commission to better track alcohol being brought into the state, give Nebraska wineries the ability to obtain liquor and beer licenses, and allow microdistilleries to distribute up to 500 gallons of their product to retailers.

According to proponents of the several different measures contained within LB376, small wineries and microdistillers will have much more leeway in regard to the sale of more individual drinks and the distribution of bulk product. Winery owners in particular were pleased to be included in the bill, saying that it would make their locations more friendly to those who don't prefer wine.

For microdistilleries, the new bill, if passed, would allow for a significant increase in the availability of Nebraska-made bourbon, gin, brandy, and other liquors. By this point during the last 90-day legislative session, which was in 2021, the Legislature had passed 57 bills onto former Gov. Ricketts for a signature. More bills are expected to pass before this session is up, but the filibuster has certainly slowed the process to a crawl.

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