Bill Would End Some Michigan Alcohol Regulations | Business

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Legislation in the Michigan Senate would overhaul regulation of the state's alcohol industry.

Sen. Howard Walker said Thursday the bill he introduced this week (Senate Bill 216) would eliminate outdated regulations and increase the size of the industry. The Traverse City Republican wants to let microbrewers have off-site tasting rooms and to allow more resort liquor licenses and beer and wine festivals.

One change would make it harder to prosecute those who sell alcohol to someone who's intoxicated. The bill says stores and bartenders would have to "knowingly allow" an intoxicated person to be served rather than simply "allow" it.

The legislation incorporates many recommendations unveiled last summer by Gov. Rick Snyder's Office of Regulatory Reinvention.

Beverage producers and police and school groups opposed some changes.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)