Week of November 30, 2007
Greetings! Hope you have had a bountiful and pleasant week. This week's offerings include our proposed rulemaking on grandfather protection for certain "Calistoga" brand names, proposed changes to the American viticultural area regulations, and personnel changes in Colorado.
In the TTB Newsletter, we compile the top TTB news of the week and other helpful information about the Bureau and the Federal alcohol and tobacco laws and regulations we enforce. Please send any questions and/or comments to Susan Stewart Evans, Executive Liaison for Industry Matters (susan.stewart-evans@ttb.gov) and/or Frosty Chapman, State Liaison (forrest.chapman@ttb.gov). |
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TTB SEEKS COMMENTS ON "GRANDFATHER" PROTECTION FOR CERTAIN "CALISTOGA" BRAND NAMES
TTB published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register seeking comments on our proposal to provide "grandfather" protection for certain "Calistoga" brand names used on existing certificates of label approval. We issued this NPRM (Notice No. 77) as a result of comments regarding the potential adverse impact on established brand names that were received in response to the March 31, 2005, NPRM (Notice No. 36) to establish the Calistoga viticultural area in Napa County, California. The NPRM will solicit comments to assist us in our efforts to find a balance between protecting the interests of existing economic enterprises while at the same time protecting against consumer deception. We do not believe these two objectives are mutually exclusive.
Written comments must be received on or before December 20, 2007.
You may send comments to the following addresses:
- Online: www.regulations.gov (Federal e-rulemaking portal; follow the instructions for submitting comments); or
- U.S. Mail: Director, Regulations and Rulings Division,
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
P.O. Box 14412, Washington, DC 20044-4412
TTB PROPOSES CHANGES TO AVA REGULATIONS
TTB published an NPRM (Notice No. 78) in the Federal Register proposing to amend the regulations concerning the establishment of American viticultural areas(AVAs). The proposed changes would address a number of issues in order to strengthen and maintain the integrity of the AVA program. A link to the notice is available at the TTB Web site, www.ttb.gov.
Written comments must be received on or before January 22, 2008.
You may send comments to the following addresses:
- Online: www.regulations.gov (Federal e-rulemaking portal; follow the instructions for submitting comments);
- U.S. mail: Director, Regulations and Rulings Division,
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
P.O. Box 14412, Washington, DC 20044-4412; - Hand Delivery/
Courier: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
1310 G Street, NW., Suite 200-E, Washington, DC 20005
COLORADO NAMES MATT COOK AND LAURA HARRIS TO NEW POSITIONS
Matt Cook, formerly Division Director of the Liquor Enforcement and Racing Events Division has been named the Senior Director of the Enforcement Line of Business with oversight of Colorado Gaming, Liquor Enforcement, Tobacco Enforcement, Racing Events, Driver License Hearings, Auto Investigations Division, and the Motor Vehicle Dealer Board. Matt retired March 1, 2007, and was re-employed as a senior executive service contract employee by the State.
Laura Harris is now the Division Director, replacing Matt. She has been employed with the Colorado Department of Revenue since 1983. She has been with the Liquor Enforcement Division of the Colorado Department of Revenue since 1989. She began her career with the division as an investigator, specializing in Trade Practices regulation and complex financial investigations. In 2002, she moved into liquor licensing, and became Licensing Director in 2004. Laura also spent the past two years managing the tobacco enforcement program, and has acquired a specialty in State tobacco enforcement. Given her 18 years of experience in all aspects of alcohol beverage regulation, Laura is very knowledgeable about the regulatory issues facing Colorado.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, is a Colorado Certified Peace Officer, and Certified Fraud Examiner.