Tenn. wine transport bill passes Senate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal that would loosen restrictions on bringing wine into Tennessee has passed the Senate.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Doug Overbey of Maryville was approved unanimously on Monday. The companion bill has been assigned to the House State and Local Government Committee.

The propposal would let Tennesseans buy up to five cases at out-of-state wineries and carry them back into Tennessee.

The measure is designed to overcome a recent federal appeals court opinion that found existing rules designed to promote Tennessee wineries are unfair to competitors from outside the state.

However, state Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr has said it will be difficult for the state to make sure the wine buyers have paid the state tax that is due if the bill becomes law.