Marc Hyden, Senior Director of State Government Affairs at the R Street Institute, provided testimony in support of Georgia Senate Bill 456 before the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on February 10, 2026. The bill aims to update regulations affecting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages in Georgia.
Hyden introduced himself as a Georgia voter and representative of the R Street Institute, a nonprofit and nonpartisan policy research organization. He stated that the institute’s mission is to promote free markets and limited government, including reforms to alcohol regulation.
He noted that while Georgia has maintained a reputation as a strong state for business over the past decade, this success has not benefited all sectors equally. Citing rankings from several organizations, Hyden pointed out that Georgia was ranked 22nd by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council for its regulatory and tax environment for small businesses, 32nd by the Tax Foundation for its small business tax environment, and was not listed among Forbes’ top 15 states to start a small business.
According to Hyden, “Put simply, regulatory burdens are straining many of Georgia’s small businesses, and nowhere is this clearer than in small breweries.” He highlighted that since 2011, the number of craft breweries in Georgia has grown from 21 to about 171. These breweries contribute more than $1.9 billion annually to the state’s economy through tax revenue, job creation—including positions that do not require advanced degrees—and by occupying vacant commercial spaces.
Despite these contributions, Hyden referenced recent closures of established breweries such as Second Self Beer Company, Orpheus Brewing, and Burnt Hickory Brewing. He explained that these were not short-lived ventures but longstanding community businesses whose closures resulted in job losses.
“The sad reality is that opening a small business is a risky enterprise,” he said. “However, Georgia’s regulatory environment is one of the reasons why many breweries are struggling.”
Senate Bill 456 was introduced by Sen. Timothy Bearden with the intention of addressing some of these challenges. The proposed legislation would remove limits on off-premises sales for small breweries; allow them to sell up to 1,000 barrels directly to retailers; and permit sales, delivery, and shipping between licensed brewers and brewpubs.
Hyden argued that these changes would help modernize regulations for an evolving industry model: “Adopting these reforms would help modernize the code for a changing and novel business model that stands poised to contribute to our communities.” He concluded his remarks by urging support for SB 456: “As such, I encourage the committee to support this measure and help give small businesses a better chance of surviving.”
