2017 -- H 5996

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LC002198

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO THE COMMERCE CORPORATION TO

PROMOTE BEER TOURISM AND THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Morin, Messier, Casey, Carson, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: March 23, 2017

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, According to the Brewers Association, there were over 5005 beer breweries

in the United States as of November 30, 2016, with approximately ninety-nine percent (99%) of

those brewers being small and independent craft breweries; and

     WHEREAS, In 2014, the craft brewing industry contributed over fifty-five billion dollars

($55,000,000,000) to the U.S. economy and created or supported more than four hundred twenty-

four thousand (424,000) jobs nationwide; and

     WHEREAS, The craft brewing industry remains a growing industry within which local

manufacturers may compete and succeed; and

     WHEREAS, The craft brewing industry has a significant economic impact on a state's

economy as the beer brewed by craft brewers travels from breweries to wholesalers and retailers;

and

     WHEREAS, The craft brewing industry's economic impact also includes the sale of non-

beer products including food and merchandise sold by brewpub restaurants and brewery

taprooms, and at beer tours of local craft breweries; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island currently has fourteen (14) craft breweries, which ranks forty-

fifth (45th) among all states, with an economic impact in 2014 estimated by the Brewers

Association to be one hundred sixty million dollars ($160,000,000), which ranks forty-eighth

(48th) among all states; and

     WHEREAS, Our neighbors in Massachusetts have eighty-four (84) craft breweries,

which ranks seventeenth (17th) among all states, with an economic impact in 2014 estimated by

the Brewers Association to be approximately one billion, four hundred eight million dollars

($1,408,000) which ranks nineteenth (19th) among all states; and

     WHEREAS, Our neighbors in Connecticut have thirty-five (35) craft breweries, which

ranks thirty-second (32nd) among all states, with an economic impact in 2014 estimated by the

Brewers Association to be over five hundred sixty-nine million dollars ($569,000,000) which

ranks twenty-sixth (26th) among all states; and

     WHEREAS, The most recent estimates indicate Rhode Island craft brewers produced

twenty thousand, eight hundred seven thousand (20,807) barrels of craft beer per year in 2014,

which ranks forty-eighth (48th) among all states; and

     WHEREAS, The above statistics suggest that while there is room for growth of the craft

beer industry within Rhode Island, local craft brewery operators face strong competition; and

     WHEREAS, The craft brewing industry and beer tourism are established in Rhode Island

and are appropriate economic activities for the state to support and promote through the

Commerce Corporation; now, therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, There is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2017-2018, and annually in each fiscal year thereafter,

the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

to promote the growth and development of the craft brewing industry and beer tourism in the

state; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the

general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time

required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO THE COMMERCE CORPORATION TO

PROMOTE BEER TOURISM AND THE CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY IN RHODE ISLAND

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     This joint resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 in fiscal

year 2017-2018, and annually thereafter, to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, to promote

the growth and development of the craft brewing industry and beer tourism in Rhode Island.

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