Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Commerce & Gaming Committee
HB 1289
Brief Description: Concerning winery workforce development.
Sponsors: Representatives Chambers, Kloba, Robertson, Johnson, J., Sutherland, Fitzgibbon, Chandler, Jacobsen, Ybarra, Rude, Boehnke, Barkis and Klicker.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Permits 18 to 21 year old domestic winery employees to engage in wine production and work in a winery's production facility, so long as there is an adult age 21 years of age or older on duty supervising.  
Hearing Date: 1/26/21
Staff: Kyle Raymond (786-7190).
Background:

A domestic winery and non-retail class licensees are permitted, under certain specified circumstances, to allow an employee or intern between the ages of 18 and 21 years old handle, transport, or otherwise possess liquor.  For example, a domestic winery licensee may allow interns between the ages of 18 and 21 years old to engage in wine production-related work at the domestic winery's licensed location, so long as the intern is enrolled as a student at a community or technical college, regional university, or state university holding a special permit for this purpose issued by the Liquor and Cannabis Board.  In addition, the student must be enrolled in a required or elective class as part of a degree program.
 
A domestic winery or non-retail class liquor licensee is solely responsible for any act or omission of their employee occurring at or on the licensee's premises that violates liquor laws.
Summary of Bill:

A domestic winery employee who is between the ages of 18 and 21 years old may engage in wine production and work in a winery's production facility, so long as there is an adult age 21 years of age or older on duty supervising such activities on the premises.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.