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Regulators Suggest 72 Changes To State Liquor Laws

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - New state rules that would allow craft brewers in Michigan to have off-premise tasting rooms and provide free samples are among sweeping changes to liquor control rules being sent to Gov. Rick Snyder.

The Office of Regulatory Reinvention presented 72 recommendations on Friday.

Mike Tobias, with the Michigan Alcohol Policy Promoting Health and Safety group , said he thinks the state is wrong to drop the requirements. He said the recommendations were largely written by those in the alcoholic beverage industry.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Andy Delony, Chairman of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, who said the new rules were developed with representatives from the tourism and hospitality industries to promote growth.

"Our highest priority is the reinvention of our licensing process, with the goal of creating a smaller, faster, fairer and more certain licensing process so that applicants can get cleared for licenses quickly so they can get into business or expand their businesses and have success in Michigan," Delony said.

The proposed changes include allowing more resort liquor licenses and festivals for wines and spirits. They would also get rid of fingerprinting and financial verification requirements for businesses or events to hold a liquor license.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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