HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 1742

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to allowing sales of growlers of wine.

Brief Description: Allowing sales of growlers of wine.

Sponsors: House Committee on Government Accountability & Oversight (originally sponsored by Representatives Wylie, Ryu, Hunter, S. Hunt and Moscoso).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Accountability & Oversight: 2/12/13, 1/23/14 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/17/14, 97-0.

Passed Senate: 3/5/14, 43-6.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Allows domestic wineries with separate tasting rooms to sell wines of their own production in sanitary containers (growlers) filled at the tap by the seller.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & OVERSIGHT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hurst, Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Kirby, Moscoso, Shea and Vick.

Staff: David Rubenstein (786-7153).

Background:

Introduction.

The Liquor Control Board (LCB) issues various types of licenses, including those for beer and/or wine specialty shops, wineries, microbreweries, domestic breweries, restaurants, and nightclubs. In certain circumstances, the LCB may impose conditions or restrictions on a license, or include special endorsements authorizing the sale of specified alcoholic beverages subject to specified conditions.

Domestic Wineries.

Wineries licensed in Washington (domestic wineries) may act as distributors and retailers of wine of their own production. Domestic wineries must comply with applicable laws and rules relating to distributors and retailers.

Additionally, a domestic winery may have up to two locations separate from its manufacturing site where the winery may serve samples and sell wine of its own production at retail (additional tasting rooms). The LCB must approve each additional tasting room.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

A domestic winery with additional tasting rooms may sell for off-premises consumption wines of its own production in kegs or growlers meeting the applicable requirements of federal law. The growlers may be brought to the premises by the customer or supplied by the licensee and filled at the tap at the time of sale.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

See Committee Records from 2013.

Persons Testifying: See Committee Records from 2013.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: See Committee Records from 2013.