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72 changes to Mich liquor laws proposed

LANSING, Mich. (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 Friday. They include allowing more resort liquor licenses and festivals for wines and spirits. They also would get rid of fingerprinting and financial verification requirements to hold a liquor license. Mike Tobias says the Michigan Alcohol Policy Promoting Health and Safety group thinks the state is wrong to drop the requirements. He says the recommendations were largely written by those in the alcoholic beverage industry. The Office of Regulatory Reinvention counters that the rules were developed with representatives from the tourism and hospitality industries to promote business growth.