The House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs passed a bill out of committee containing a number of provisions aimed at modernizing Vermont’s liquor laws. Of note, both fortified wines and low alcohol spirit-based beverages (also known as ready-to-drink cocktails) would be permitted to be sold via retail outlets and beverage wholesalers. This shift will provide greater access to products for both licensees and consumers, and first-class license holders would now be permitted to sell fortified wines and ready-to-drink spirit beverages. This omnibus bill also includes several technical corrections put forth by the Administration such as the allowing third-class licensees to purchase raffle tickets to rare spirits raffles which were previously only open to the general public. Deliberations will continue in the House Ways and Means Committee.