SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5094

BYSenators West, Lee, Talmadge and Johnson

Providing for state registration of beer kegs.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1989; January 18, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McMullen, Smitherman, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Charles A. Woods (786-7452)

                  January 18, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Sale of beer by the keg to the public is allowed by state law.  Registration of such kegs for identification purposes is required only by some local ordinances.  When a keg is left in a remote location, whether by accident or intentionally, there is no centralized information base which identifies the proper retailer to whom the keg should be returned.  When a keg is made available at parties involving minors, it is difficult for law enforcement agencies to determine who is responsible for supplying the keg to the minors.

Funding was appropriated for keg registration under Chapter 458, Laws of '87; however, authorizing legislation to establish the keg registration program has not been enacted.

SUMMARY:

The field of keg registration is totally occupied and preempted by the state, creating a standardized statewide registration law.  Licensees selling beer by the keg are required to:  affix identification labels to containers; require nonlicensee purchasers to sign a receipt and a declaration to identify the location where the contents will be consumed; and promise not to remove the identification label.  Penalties for violations are provided.

$10,600 is appropriated from the liquor revolving fund to the Liquor Control Board for the purposes of carrying out the act.

Appropriation:    $10,600 to the Liquor Control Board from the liquor revolving fund

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: For:  Charles Tudor, Snohomish County Sheriff; Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board; Bob Seeber, Restaurant Association; James D. Golder, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys; Bruce Roberts, Washington Licensed Beverage Association; Dick DuCharme, Washington Beer and Wine Wholesalers; Mert Obert, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Steve Wehrly, Miller Brewing; Gary Edwards, Thurston County Sheriff