BILL REQ. #:  S-4361.3 

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to requesting the liquor control board to consult with the office of financial management and appropriate legislative committees to examine ways to increase efficiency and revenue through the sale of liquor; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the December 2009 state government performance review, "Opportunities for Washington," outlined opportunities for increased revenue relating to the sale of liquor and its distribution. The performance review evaluated six alternatives to the current system of wholesale and retail liquor sales and suggested that the state could increase revenue by as much as two hundred seventy-seven million dollars over five years by changing the current model. The legislature declares that it cannot change the method of liquor sales that has been in place since 1933 without thorough and comprehensive study of the issue.
     (2) The liquor control board must, in consultation with the office of financial management and the appropriate legislative committees, examine methods to increase efficiency and revenue through the sale of liquor in this state. The liquor control board must examine the six alternatives identified in the performance review and investigate other options it deems appropriate. Support for this study must be provided by the office of financial management and appropriate legislative staff. The liquor control board must report its findings to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2010.