SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6395
As Passed Senate, February 13, 2002
Title: An act relating to the merchandising of beer and wine by employees between the ages of eighteen and twenty‑one on or about a licensee's premises.
Brief Description: Allowing certain employees to handle beer or wine.
Sponsors: Senators Rasmussen, Winsley, Hewitt, Gardner, Honeyford, Prentice, Haugen, Regala, Hochstatter, McAuliffe and Hale.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions: 1/24/02, 2/4/02 [DP].
Passed Senate: 2/13/02, 42-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Fairley, Franklin, Gardner, Hochstatter, Honeyford, Rasmussen, Regala, West and Winsley.
Staff: David Cheal (786‑7576)
Background: Minors are prohibited from working in jobs that include selling or handling alcohol, with certain exceptions. Some of these exceptions require the supervision by someone over 21 while they work with alcohol products. 18 to 21 year old employees of nonretail licensees (wholesalers, manufacturers, breweries and wineries) may stock and handle beer and wine for their employer, but only on and around the nonretail premises, and only so long as supervised by an adult 21 or older.
Summary of Bill: Grocery store and beer and wine specialty shop licensees may allow minor employees of nonretail class liquor licensees between the ages of 18 and 21 to stock, merchandise, or handle beer or wine on or about the retail licensee's premises as long as an adult employee of the retail licensee 21 years of age or older is present during these activities.
The nonretail employee between the ages of 18 and 21 is otherwise prohibited from handling, transporting, or otherwise possessing beer or wine beyond the retail premises. Violations of the liquor laws occurring on or about the retail premises committed by the nonretail minor employee are the responsibility of the nonretail licensee.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The 18 to 21 year-old employees of beer and wine wholesalers should have equity with grocery store 18 to 21 year-old workers. This is not a union issue. No union jobs will be lost. These jobs represent a good employment opportunity for this age group. It allows wholesalers an efficient way to stock the shelves of retailers.
Testimony Against: There is no compelling need for this threat to union jobs.
Testified: Phil Wayt, WA Beer & Wine Wholesalers Assn. (pro); Joe Daniels, VFCW Dist 17 Council (con); Rick Garza, WSLCB.