A bill to legalize direct shipment of some wines to Mississippians’ homes will soon be considered by Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. 

After supporters fought for over a decade to get the Legislature to agree to the proposal, both chambers finally approved Senate Bill 2145. This bill allows citizens to order specialty or rare wines that cannot be purchased at Mississippi package stores.

Mississippi is one of only a handful of states that doesn’t allow direct shipment. House State Affairs Chairman Hank Zuber, R-Ocean Springs, told House members on Tuesday that some Mississippians circumvent state law by ordering wine from other states or countries, having it shipped to a friend’s house in another state and driving over to pick it up. 

“Make no mistake, this is happening now, and we are not collecting the tax revenue,” Zuber said. 

The House approved the measure 79-29 on Tuesday, and the Senate approved the measure 24-14 last week. 

If signed into law by Reeves, the legislation would enact a 15.5% tax on direct wine shipments and put a cap of 12 cases per year that a person can order. 

To ship wine directly to a Mississippian, a person must purchase a direct wine manufacturer’s permit from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.