Nevada Legislature: Lawmakers vet bills easing winery, distillery restrictions

Nevada lawmakers are reviewing a bill to ease a ban on wineries in the state’s two largest counties.

The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee held a hearing Friday for AB4. The bill would repeal a state law prohibiting wineries in Clark and Washoe counties from importing wine from other states or serving alcoholic beverages on their premises. Republican bill sponsor Pat Hickey said the bill would remove unnecessary economic barriers for wine producers.

Opponents included a winery in Pahrump, which said changing the law too quickly could harm existing wineries just as they’re gaining strength.

A separate bill moving through the Legislature would increase out-of-state export limits for alcoholic beverages and expand retail sales. AB186 would also allow craft brewers to donate alcoholic beverages for charitable or nonprofit purposes.