The 2022 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Welcomes Spirits Industry Supporter Representative Chad McCoy [Video Part 5]

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U.S. lawmakers and distilled spirits makers have been playing a game of cat and mouse for more than a century since the passing of the 21st Amendment. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA) has been working with local, state and national representatives throughout this entire period. One of the KDAs champions has been retiring Rep. D. Chad McCoy, Bardstown, Majority Whip, Kentucky House of Representatives, and two-time recipient of the KDA’s “100 Proof” award for public service.

McCoy was introduced by legendary 7th Generation James B. Beam Distilling Co. Master Distiller Fred Noe. Watch the video and you’ll learn just how close Fred, Chad and his Dr. wife really are to one another. Fred says he has both an attorney and a doctor all on one speed dial.

McCoy has been a champion of several these landmark pieces of spirits legislation.

HB 415 – DTC shipping of spirits
HB 500 – Legalizing private barrel selects
HB 400 – Legal shipping of souvenir bottles
HB 100 – Allows the sale of vintage spirits

Since his first election in 2016, Chad McCoy has worked tirelessly to bring opportunities to Nelson County and advocate for business in the Bourbon Capital of the World.

Majority Whip, Kentucky House of Representatives - Rep. D. Chad McCoy — Majority Whip, Kentucky House of Representatives Rep. D. Chad McCoy.

Rep. McCoy has proved himself to be a true representative for Nelson County, frequently holding town halls to meet with constituents to engage with the most pressing issues. Time and again, Rep. McCoy has used information from these meetings to fight for Nelson County and he is willing to reach across the aisle to accomplish these goals.

During his first term, Rep. McCoy was the primary sponsor of an unprecedented five bills that were signed into law, including the Vintage Spirits bill for the Bourbon Industry. That was the start of a series of bourbon related bills including the “Bourbon Without Borders Bill” and this year’s Private Barrel Select Bill.

At the beginning of his second session, Rep. McCoy was elected Majority Whip by his peers and found time to sponsor several of his own bills. One that passed was a bill to help veterans’ groups with charitable gaming remove some restrictions on how often charity fundraising events may be held at unlicensed facilities.

Rep. McCoy was reelected Majority Whip for his third term and currently serves not only in leadership but also on the Licensing, Occupations & Administrative Regulations Committee as well as the Judiciary and Education Committees.

Rep. McCoy graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1995. Throughout his legal career he has represented the spectrum of legal needs, including large multinational corporations in merger and acquisitions and indigent clients in criminal court. He is a life-long learner, avid reader and pilot. He is married to Dr. Holly McCoy and they are the proud parents of adult twins Hunter and Woody McCoy.

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