(Wine-Searchers) - Empire Wine finds powerful allies in its lone stand against the forces of the New York State Liquor Authority.

The New York Legislature slapped down its own State Liquor Authority (SLA) on Tuesday, when both houses barred the agency from using the laws of other states to prosecute New York wine and liquor stores.

The measure, which passed the state Assembly on Monday, sailed through the state Senate by a vote of 56-6 on Tuesday, as the legislative session wound down.

The measure, which comes months after Albany, New York-retailer Empire Wine found itself the target of a SLA for selling wine over the Internet and out of state, now goes to governor's desk for his signature. Governor Andrew Cuomo and the SLA were unavailable for comment to Wine Searcher, however Cuomo is expected to sign the bill into law, as the measure passed with veto-proof majorities.

The bill prohibits the SLA from revoking or canceling or suspending the license of any wine or spirits retailer "based upon conduct which the authority determines to be in violation of the laws of another state..." unless that state determines the licensee violated its laws.

A little over a year ago, the SLA filed disciplinary charges against Empire Wine, one of the state's largest retailers, for selling wine to customers in states that do not allow shipment from out-of-state retailers. Empire sued the SLA claiming it had overstepped its authority, and last week a state judge ordered the authority to make witnesses – authority employees – available to the retailer.