SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SSB 6338

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1992

Brief Description:  Establishing provisions for alcohol servers.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Matson, McMullen and Snyder)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6338 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Matson, Chairman; Bluechel, McMullen, Moore, and Skratek.

Staff:  Traci Anderson (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates: February 5, 1992; February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, individuals who participate in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages at establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption are not required to be licensed.  In addition, such individuals are not required to participate in any type of formal training on  the service of alcoholic beverages, the effects of alcohol on consumers, or the state laws pertaining to the service of alcohol.  The Liquor Control Board does provide, on a limited basis, voluntary training of alcohol servers for those establishments requesting such training.

It is suggested that individuals responsible for the sale or service of alcoholic beverages to consumers should be required to participate in mandatory alcohol server training programs and should be licensed by the state as a way of providing greater protection to the citizens of this state. 

SUMMARY:

Individuals who serve or sell liquor at establishments licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption are required to obtain an alcohol server's class 12 permit from the Liquor Control Board.  Individuals employed by domestic wineries holding class C licenses are exempt from the permitting requirement.

Individuals required to obtain an alcohol server's class 12 permit must submit an application for a permit within 60 days of initial employment.

A retail licensed establishment is prohibited from hiring an individual to sell or serve alcohol who does not have a valid alcohol server permit or who has had a permit revoked, suspended or denied.

An individual who has had a class 12 permit denied, suspended or revoked is prohibited from accepting employment in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages at a retail licensed establishment.

After July 1, 1993, an existing class 12 permit may not be renewed and a new permit may not be issued until the permit holder or applicant has completed an approved alcohol server training program.

After July 1, 1993, all new applicants for retail liquor licenses and the managers of such establishments, as well as all renewing retail licensees must complete a state-approved alcohol server education program and examination in order to be licensed.

The Liquor Control Board is directed to regulate alcohol server education programs.  The Liquor Control Board may contract with liquor licensee associations, independent contractors, or private or public schools to conduct the training programs.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 2, 1992

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will increase the education and training of alcohol servers which will result in a reduction in the incidence of illegal serving of alcoholic beverages.  In addition, it will increase the professionalism of alcohol servers.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board; Kit Hawkins, Gene Vosberg, Bob Seeber, Restaurant Association, Ron Sellar, Gary McClenaghan, Vern Pruss, Licensed Beverage Association