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Idaho Senate amends, passes bill to protect historic liquor distributors

Idaho regulates liquor sales with state-run stores. Private businesses sometimes sell for the state in small towns without a state store.

STAR, Idaho — The Idaho Senate passed House Bill 570 Thursday after adding amendments to the legislation that wants to grandfather in historic liquor distributors after a state-run liquor store opens in any given small town.

Speaker of the House Mike Moyle (R-Star) pitched the bill after a state store opened in his district. The Star Merc sold state liquor for decades before the state of Idaho moved into the town.

The Merc, a family-owned convenience store, relies on state liquor to get customers in the door.

The senate amendments clarify the distributors agreement cannot be transferred to a different business and the grandfathered business loses the agreement upon changing locations.

"I think this is a good move to preserve the opportunity for our small stores out there. This can be an important part of their business model," Sen. Jim Guthrie (R-McCammon) said. "Keep in mind as that happens, competition will work itself out and if it is no longer productive to continue operations, that will kind of take care of itself so to speak."

The Merc will try to stay open if the bill does not pass; however, they believe a change to their business model could be an insurmountable problem. Senate pro tempore Chuck Winder (R-Boise) supported the bill on behalf of The Merc.

"It has been there for I don't know how many decades. It's an important part of the historic nature of their community and I'd urge your support on this," Sen. Winder said.

The House overwhelmingly passed the original bill in February; they must vote to approve the amendments before sending the bill to the governor's desk.

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