HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1045

BYRepresentatives Wang, Vekich and P. King 

Modifying liquor statutes to improve administration.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Patrick, Ranking Republican Member; Jones, R. King, Leonard, Prentice, C. Smith, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Joan Elgee (786-7166)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR JANUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Current law prohibits persons from selling liquor without a license or permit from the Liquor Control Board.  Persons desiring to sell private liquor collections must sell through the board, paying an administrative fee.

When liquor is seized by a local law enforcement officer or the Washington State Patrol, the entity must report the seizure to the board and deliver the liquor to the board.  This provision has resulted in local law enforcement agencies having to store liquor until a board enforcement officer is available to receive it.

Persons under age 21 are prohibited from purchasing, consuming or possessing liquor.  However, there is no express provision prohibiting a minor from obtaining a liquor license.

One provision of the liquor laws prohibits a person from procuring or supplying liquor for or to anyone whose permit is suspended or has been canceled.  This prohibition is encompassed by another section of the law.

Identification cards acceptable for proof of age to purchase liquor include active duty military identification cards.  Reserve identification cards are not acceptable.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  A liquor collector or his or her estate may sell liquor collector items without obtaining a license or permit from the Liquor Control Board.  The seller must provide written notification to the board and must allow board inspection.  The board must respond within 15 days.  Liquor collector items may not be sold through licensed premises.

The requirement that local law enforcement officers and the Washington State Patrol deliver seized liquor to the board is eliminated.  The reporting requirement is modified to require the entities to make reports on seized liquor to the board on a periodic basis.

Persons under age 21 are prohibited from obtaining a liquor license.

The prohibition against procuring or supplying liquor for or to anyone whose permit is suspended or has been canceled is repealed.

Military reserve duty identification cards are added to the list of identification cards acceptable for proof of age to purchase liquor.

Other housekeeping changes are made.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  A repealer is eliminated:  The provision stating it is not unlawful to serve liquor to persons standing, but expressly allowing a house rule requiring patrons to be seated is retained.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board; Bob Seeber, Restaurant Association (with concern).

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Liquor Control Board supports these changes.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.