PROPOSED RULES
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-13-009.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 314-44 WAC, Licensed agents.
Hearing Location(s): Washington State Liquor Control Board, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, on September 22, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 29, 2010.
Submit Written Comments to: Karen McCall, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail rules@liq.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-9689, by September 22, 2010.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Karen McCall by September 22, 2010, (360) 664-1631.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: As part of the liquor control board's on-going rules review process, chapter 314-44 WAC was reviewed for relevance, clarity, and accuracy.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The rules needed to be revised to reflect current laws and policy.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.030.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 66.28.010.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington state liquor control board, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Karen McCall, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1631; Implementation: Alan Rathbun, Director of Licensing, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1615; and Enforcement: Pat Parmer, Enforcement Chief, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1726.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposal does not change the impact on liquor licensees or stakeholders.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328.
August 11, 2010
Sharon Foster
Chairman
OTS-3316.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 98-18-097, filed 9/2/98,
effective 10/3/98)
WAC 314-44-005
Agent's license required -- Eligible
employers defined -- Certain classes limited -- Bona fide entity
defined -- Prohibited practices.
(1) No person shall canvass
for, solicit, receive or take orders for the purchase or sale
of any liquor, or act as the agent for the purchase or sale of
liquor, nor contact any licensees of the board in goodwill
activities, unless such person is holder of an agent's license
((as provided in RCW 66.24.310, and this regulation)).
(2) An agent's license may be issued to the accredited representative of a person, firm, or corporation holding:
(a) A certificate of approval ((issued pursuant to RCW 66.24.270 or 66.24.206,));
(b) A beer distributor's license((,));
(c) A brewer's license((,));
(d) A beer importer's license((,));
(e) A domestic winery license((,));
(f) A wine importer's license((,));
(g) Or a wine distributor's license within the state of
Washington((,));
(h) Or the accredited representative of a distiller, manufacturer, importer, or distributor of spirituous liquor, domestic produced beer or wine, or foreign produced beer or wine.
(3) A person, firm, or corporation so qualified, is
((herein defined to be)) an eligible employer. ((Such)) An
eligible employer shall apply to the board for such an agent's
license for his accredited representatives on application
forms prescribed and furnished by the board.
(((3))) (4) Every firm which applies for an agent's
license under the provisions of this section shall furnish the
board with satisfactory proof that such firm is in fact a bona
fide business entity.
(((4))) (5) Only the licensed agent of a distiller,
manufacturer, importer, or distributor of spirituous liquor
may contact retail licensees in goodwill activities when such
contacts pertain to spirituous liquor products.
(((5))) (6) No distiller, manufacturer, importer,
distributor of liquor, or agent thereof, shall solicit either
in person, by mail or otherwise, any liquor vendor or employee
of the board, except the purchasing agent thereof, for the
purpose or with the intent of furthering the sale of a
particular brand or brands of merchandise as against another
brand or brands of merchandise.
(((6))) (7) No distiller, manufacturer, importer,
distributor of liquor, or agent thereof, shall visit any state
liquor store or agency for the purpose of exerting influence
on employees for sales promotion or to secure information
regarding inventory or any other matter relating to sales. They may deliver, or have delivered, and assemble where
required, consumer offers and display material that have been
approved by the board or its designee. Violation of this
section will result in a penalty against all company items,
which in appropriate cases could mean a partial or total
delisting of those items.
(((7))) (8) No distiller, manufacturer, importer, or
distributor of liquor, or agent thereof, shall give or offer
to any employee of the board any entertainment, gratuity or
other consideration for the purpose of inducing or promoting
the sale of merchandise.
(((8))) (9) No distiller, manufacturer, importer, or
distributor, or agent thereof, shall allow, pay or rebate,
directly or indirectly, any cash or merchandise to any retail
licensee to induce or promote the sale of liquor, including
the payment of tips to such licensees or their employees and
the purchasing of drinks "for the house." Such persons, firms
and licensees must operate in conformity with WAC 314-12-140,
RCW 66.28.010, 66.28.040, and other applicable laws and rules.
(((9))) (10) Upon the infraction of any law or regulation
by any distiller, manufacturer, importer, distributor, or
agent, the board may, in addition to imposing other penalties
as prescribed by law, remove such firm's products from the
sales list of the board, and/or prohibit the sale of any brand
or brands of beer or wine involved as provided in RCW 66.28.030.
(((10))) (11) Upon the termination of the employment of a
licensed agent, his employer shall immediately notify the
board and with such notice return to the board the agent's
license issued to such person.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 15.88.030, 19.126.020, 66.04.010, 66.08.180, 66.16.100, 66.20.010, 66.20.300, 66.20.310, 66.24.150, 66.24.170, 66.24.185, 66.24.200, 66.24.206, 66.24.210, 66.24.230, 66.24.240, 66.24.244, 66.24.250, 66.24.375, 66.24.380, 66.24.395, 66.24.400, 66.24.420, 66.24.425, 66.24.440, 66.24.450, 66.24.455, 66.24.495, 66.24.540, 66.28.010, 66.28.040, 66.28.050, 66.28.170, 66.28.180, 66.28.190, 66.28.200, 66.28.310, 66.44.190, 66.44.310, 66.98.060 and 82.08.150. 98-18-097, § 314-44-005, filed 9/2/98, effective 10/3/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030. 89-01-004 (Order 271, Resolution No. 280), § 314-44-005, filed 12/8/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.98.070. 82-04-029 (Order 93, Resolution No. 102), § 314-44-005, filed 1/27/82; Order 46, § 314-44-005, Rule 111, filed 6/9/76. Formerly WAC 314-44-010 and 314-44-020.]
(a) The sole proprietor does not need an agent's license;
(b) Any employee of a sole proprietor who calls or e-mails their appointed distributor does not need an agent's license;
(c) Any employee of a sole proprietor who calls, visits, or e-mails retailers needs an agent's license.
(2) Partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and their employees: Licensees and their employees who call, e-mail, take orders, pour or visit businesses with a liquor license need an agent's license.
(3) Out-of-state certificate of approval holders: If the out-of-state certificate of approval holder has an endorsement to ship directly to retailers and call or e-mail retailers, they need an agent's license (unless they are a sole proprietor).
(4) Wine shipper to consumer: A wine shipper to consumer does not need an agent's license.
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