Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has signed legislation that will make business easier for craft beverage companies in St. Lawrence County and statewide.

These three measures will allow farm distilleries to sell gifts and souvenirs, authorize retail stores to conduct tastings of liquor, beer and cider, and exempt micro-breweries from redundant tax filing requirements, according to a statement from Cuomo’s office.

Prior to the bill allowing gift sales, farm distillers were the only group among farm breweries, cideries and wineries that were not authorized to sell gift items, such as locally produced food and souvenirs. Now, they will be able to sell those items along with non-alcoholic beverages as well as liquor supplies and accessories.

St. Lawrence County Assembly representatives Addie Russell, D-Theresa, Ken Blankenbush, R-Black River and Janet Duprey, R- Peru, voted for the measure. Assemblyman Marc Butler, R-Newport, was not in the chamber at the time of the vote, according to online Assembly voting records.

The state Senate’s online records have not been updated to show how its members voted.

Additionally, retail stores that sell beer, cider and liquor will now be able under a bill to conduct tastings without the manufacturer or wholesaler present. Previously, a representative from the manufacturer or wholesaler of the product had to be present at the store and conduct the tasting.

“For many small businesses, this was an unaffordable expense and now, they will not be required to be present in order for their product to be sampled,” Cuomo said.

St. Lawrence County senators Betty Little, R-Queensbury, Joe Griffo, R-Rome and Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton voted in favor of the measure.

Assembly online records have not been updated to show how St. Lawrence County’s representatives voted.

The third bill, exempt microbreweries from certain tax requirements.

“These filing mandates put a burden on small businesses that are often not equipped to handle the data collection needed to comply with the law,” according to Cuomo. “Most of the beer that they produce is already accounted for in distributor sales, making it a redundant task.”

Farm breweries are relieved from submitting the annual information sales tax return, and this law will allow microbreweries that same exemption.

All four Assembly members representing St. Lawrence County voted yes. Senate online records have not been updated.

“The number of micro-breweries across New York is growing by the day, and we want to do everything we can to help them succeed and grow,” Little said. “These small businesses often do not have the capability to handle large amounts of data collection for taxes, and this bill will ensure that micro-breweries receive the same benefit of exemption as farm breweries.”