SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6334

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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Labor, February 7, 2014

Title: An act relating to sales of growlers of wine or beer.

Brief Description: Concerning the sales of growlers of wine or beer.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Hewitt, Kohl-Welles, Honeyford, Parlette and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 2/05/14, 2/07/14 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6334 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Holmquist Newbry, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Conway, Ranking Member; Hasegawa, Hewitt, King and Kohl-Welles.

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: The following licensees are permitted to sell beer in a growler, which is a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser or furnished by the licensee and filled at the tap at the time of sale: domestic breweries and microbreweries holding a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license able to sell beer of their own production for off-premises consumption; a beer and wine specialty shop licensee with an endorsement to sell growlers; a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensee able to sell for off-premises consumption; and hotel licensees.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): Domestic wineries with separate tasting rooms are permitted to sell growlers of their own wine.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY COMMERCE & LABOR COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Domestic wineries with separate tasting rooms are permitted to sell growlers of their own wine.

References to beer, breweries, and microbreweries are removed from the bill.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: This is our most popular item, it allows us to offer our product at other locations. It saves resources.

OTHER: We support the bill, but have concerns about California wines being served by some of the licensees.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Geoffrey Gruetzmacher, The Growler Guys, owner; John Morgan, Paul Beveridge, Family Wineries of WA State.

OTHER: Katie Jacoy, CA Wine Institute; Rowland Thompson, Wine Institute.