Award recognizes leadership on bipartisan legislation supporting California craft distilleries and small businesses
SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Josh Hoover, R-Folsom, has been named the 2025 Legislator of the Year by the California Distillers Association in recognition of his leadership on Assembly Bill 1246, legislation credited with protecting critical operating privileges for California’s small craft distilleries and preserving jobs across the state.
The association cited Hoover’s role as author of AB 1246, a measure that extended direct-to-consumer shipping authority for distilled spirits, expanded tasting room sales limits, and provided additional flexibility for brandy aging and storage in collaboration with California winemakers. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law by the governor in October, just ahead of the expiration of key legal authorities for the industry.
“Assemblymember Hoover’s leadership came at a critical moment for California’s craft spirits industry,” said Cris Steller, a local craft distiller and executive director of the California Distillers Association. “His commitment to protecting small businesses and local jobs ensured that hundreds of family-owned distilleries across the state could keep our doors open, employees working, and products reaching consumers.”
Under AB 1246, licensed craft distillers are permitted to continue shipping spirits directly to consumers and may sell larger quantities to visitors in their tasting rooms, a revenue stream many small producers rely on to remain viable. The legislation also brought state law into alignment with federal commerce standards while expanding storage options for aging brandy, a move industry leaders say strengthens collaboration between distillers and winemakers.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” Hoover said. “I’m honored to receive this recognition from the California Distillers Association, and proud to help sustain local jobs and entrepreneurship in communities across our state.”
California is home to nearly 200 independent craft distilleries, which contribute to local economies through tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. Industry leaders have said that without the timely passage of AB 1246, the expiration of direct-to-consumer shipping authority would have dealt a significant blow to small producers that often lack access to traditional distribution networks.
Hoover represents Assembly District 7, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova, along with the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rosemont.
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