BOISE, Idaho — Idaho craft brewers may share their facilities with other companies - under the bill that Governor Brad Little signed on Monday.
Senate Bill 1078 states that one company that produces less than 30,000 barrels a year is authorized to contract with another brewer producing less than 30,000 barrels.
The legislation is intended to clarify Idaho Code regarding the legality of one brewer sharing its facilities with another. It figures to give a boost to the state's growing craft beer industry, as the law makes it clear that a new microbrewer is not required to build its own facilities in order to do business.
Although they may use the same brewery, the contractor and contractee brewers would remain separately owned and licensed.
The bill passed in the Senate on March 1 by a vote of 28-4 - three members were absent. The House approved it on March 14 by a vote of 59-2 - nine members were absent.
