SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6776
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Agriculture & International Trade, February 8, 2002
Title: An act relating to the sale of sparkling beverages.
Brief Description: Concerning the sale of sparkling apple cider and sparkling grape juice.
Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, Rasmussen, Deccio, Sheahan and Parlette.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture & International Trade: 2/8/02 [DPS].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6776 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Parlette and Swecker.
Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7486)
Background: The only retail outlet for the purchase of spiritous hard liquor in its original sealed container is a state liquor store.
Agency liquor stores are located in areas of the state where no state liquor store exists. The board may appoint a person as a liquor vendor who sells spirits either through an existing private retail business such as a drug store, grocery store, or as a separate business.
State liquor stores currently do not sell nonalcoholic beverages.
Summary of Substitute Bill: State liquor stores are permitted to sell sparkling apple cider and sparkling grape juice processed, produced, and packaged in Washington and made exclusively from apples and grapes grown in the state of Washington, if such sales are cost effective.
The Liquor Control Board must conduct trial sales at 20 stores for a period of 90 days to determine the cost effectiveness of the sale of these products.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The substitute permits, not requires, state liquor stores to sell Washington-made sparkling apple cider and sparkling grape juice, if such sales are cost effective. The Liquor Control Board must conduct trial sales at 20 stores for 90 days to determine the cost effectiveness of the sale of these products.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: None.
Testimony Against: The Liquor Control Board has a long-standing policy of not selling non‑alcoholic beverages at a state liquor store. The sale of such products could put the state in a position of competing with private companies who currently sell Washington-made sparkling apple cider and sparkling grape juice.
Testified: Rick Garza, WA State Liquor Control Board (con).