Barr’s legislation enables U.S. bourbon distilleries to produce much-needed hand sanitizer

The nation’s bourbon distilleries would be able to quickly produce hand sanitizer under legislation introduced on May 8 by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY).

“I am so proud of our distillers in Kentucky who stand ready to provide their skill and expertise to produce hand sanitizer, which is a simple but critical line of defense against this virus,” Rep. Barr said.

The congressman sponsored H.R. 6737 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt distilled spirits plants from denaturing requirements with respect to hand sanitizer produced to help combat COVID-19, according to the text of the bill. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) on May 6 introduced the companion bill, S. 3618, in his chamber.

“Unfortunately, bureaucratic red tape in Washington is keeping our distillers sidelined in the fight against this virus,” said Rep. Barr.

During a public health emergency, the proposal calls for eliminating the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) requirement that the alcohol in hand sanitizer be denatured.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act changed the law to allow the creativity and innovation of the private sector to contribute to the fight against the current pandemic without having to incur the burden of the federal excise tax, Rep. Barr explained.

“But because the FDA continues to stand in the way, I am introducing this legislation to permit our distilleries to manufacture undenatured alcohol exempt from federal tax during this emergency, which would significantly increase our nationwide supply of hand sanitizer,” he said.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association supports the proposed bill. “We appreciate Congressman Barr’s leadership in helping our distillers and the people and businesses of Kentucky with this desperately needed change,” said Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, who added that requests for hand sanitizer have been pouring in.