H-3156.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2404
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1994 Regular Session
By Representatives Roland, Hansen, Sheldon, Chandler, L. Johnson and Linville
Read first time 01/14/94. Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.
AN ACT Relating to the study of privatization of liquor stores; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) There is created a task force on the privatization of liquor stores. The task force must be comprised of members consisting as follows:
(a) Two members from each caucus of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;
(b) Two members from each caucus of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(c) One member from the liquor control board, one member from the office of financial management, one member from the state employees union, one member representing retailers, and three additional members selected for their broad, independent knowledge and reasoning, all appointed by the governor.
(2) The task force shall, before December 1, 1994, examine whether privatizing state retail liquor operations could save tax dollars and maintain or improve upon current service levels, within the following baseline requirements:
(a) All existing personnel affected by the closing of state liquor retail stores must be hired at the same or better salary and benefits by whatever private method of operations is selected; and
(b) The number of private retailers of liquor must be limited to the extent possible by establishing a total state-wide volume sales target or projection of a maximum of one hundred fifteen percent of current liquor sales, adjusted annually by population. The first quantity and geographic distribution of retailers must be established by the liquor control board, with annual revisions based on alcohol volumes sold.
(3) The task force shall complete its report by December 31, 1994, and recommend to privatize, to not privatize, or make no recommendation for possible legislative action to the appropriate committees of the legislature during the 1995 legislative session.
(4) The task force shall convene as soon as possible upon the appointment of its members. The task force members shall elect a chair and adopt rules for conducting the business of the task force. The task force shall expire upon the completion of its report and recommendations under subsection (3) of this section.
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