Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Gaming Committee

HB 1563

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: Concerning liquor-related privileges of students enrolled in certain degree programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Jenkin, Blake, Vick, Dent, Young, Kloba, MacEwen and Wylie.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Adds certain on campus and field trip alcohol tastings to those eligible to receive the special permit from the Liquor and Cannabis Board that authorizes the tasting of alcoholic beverages by underage students enrolled in specified culinary or alcoholic beverage technology classes.

  • Allows domestic winery licensees to allow qualified student volunteers to engage in wine-production work.

Hearing Date: 1/31/19

Staff: Kyle Raymond (786-7190).

Background:

The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is authorized to issue a special permit to a community or technical college to allow certain students to lawfully taste alcohol. To qualify, students must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in a class that is part of a culinary, wine technology, beer technology, or spirituous technology-related degree program. The issuance of the permit requires that the following criteria be met:

The LCB must waive any otherwise applicable permit fees.

Summary of Bill:

The events under which eligible community or technical colleges may receive the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) special permit, allowing the tasting of alcohol by underage students enrolled in specified culinary or alcoholic beverage technology classes, is expanded to include tastings that occur: (1) on the premises of the college or university at which the student is enrolled; and (2) field trips to a grape-growing areas or production facilities. Students must be accompanied by a faculty or staff member who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses the requisite alcohol server permit issued by the LCB.

Domestic winery licensees are permitted to allow volunteers, between the ages of 18 to 21, to engage in wine-production work that takes place on the domestic winery's premises. A volunteer must be a student enrolled: (1) in an elective class that is part of a culinary, sommelier, wine business, enology, viticulture, wine, technology, beer technology, or spirituous technology-related degree program; and (2) at a community or technical college, regional university, or state university with a special permit. Licensees are solely responsible for any volunteer violation that occurs on the domestic winery's premises.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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