Washington State

House of Representatives

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BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Gaming Committee

HB 1039

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.

Brief Description: Allowing sales of growlers of wine.

Sponsors: Representatives Wylie, Condotta, Johnson, Haler and Fey.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes liquor licensees with an endorsement to sell beer and/or cider in a growler to also sell growlers of wine.

Hearing Date: 1/12/17

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

Certain categories of retail liquor licensees are permitted to sell beer or cider 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. Pursuant to legislation passed during the 2015 Legislative Session, any licensee authorized to sell growlers of beer is also authorized to sell growlers of cider.

Licensees authorized to sell growlers of beer and cider include: (a) grocery store licensees meeting specified conditions; (b) domestic breweries and microbreweries holding a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license (may only sell beer of their own production); (c) a beer and wine specialty shop licensee with an endorsement to sell growlers; and (d) a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensee authorized to sell for off-premises consumption.

Retail sales of wine growlers are limited to domestic wineries. The wine sold by a domestic winery in a growler must be a wine of its own production and only for off-premises consumption. The growlers may be brought to the premises by the customer, or supplied by the licensee, and must be filled at the tap at the time of sale.

Summary of Bill:

Licensees with an endorsement to sell beer and/or cider in a growler may also sell growlers of wine.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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