Bill, I read your posting on this ADI website. My name is Jim Harris, and I live in north GA, and have been working on getting the GA law changed to offer a tasting room for a micro distillery myself for over a year now. I have already had dealings with several of our legislators, and several state lobbyist as recently as fall 2010. I was working with Terry Hobbs (lobbyist) hoping to get the law changed before the session ended last fall but was advised to wait until 2011 as our Governor (Mr Purdue) would not be in favor of such legislation. I currently have a tentative meeting scheduled in the next 30 days with our new Speaker of the House to present this new legislation. This was arranged by Bubba McDonald, the GA Public Service Commissioner, my neighbor. I am using the same language that South Carolina used to pass this in 2009. My desire is to also build a new micro distillery in north GA, provided the state pass this new legislation. Please call me any time and I will be glad to update you on my progress, or if you are in the Tallulah Falls area, please give me a call as you are welcome to visit at my home. Let me know if you want copies of my paperwork, or would like to attend the meeting at the capitol with me. Jim
Jim Harris
404.697.8800
jimharris@windstream.net