S-0587

AN ACT Relating to exempting microbreweries from any rule requiring the labeling of beer containers to reflect alcohol content; and amending RCW 66.08.030.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 66.08.030 and 1977 ex.s. c 115 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this title according to their true intent or of supplying any deficiency therein, the board may make such regulations not inconsistent with the spirit of this title as are deemed necessary or advisable. All regulations so made shall be a public record and shall be filed in the office of the code reviser, and thereupon shall have the same force and effect as if incorporated in this title. Such regulations, together with a copy of this title, shall be published in pamphlets and shall be distributed as directed by the board.

(2) Without thereby limiting the generality of the provisions contained in subsection (1) of this section, it is declared that the power of the board to make regulations in the manner set out in that subsection shall extend to

(a) regulating the equipment and management of stores and warehouses in which state liquor is sold or kept, and prescribing the books and records to be kept therein and the reports to be made thereon to the board;

(b) prescribing the duties of the employees of the board, and regulating their conduct in the discharge of their duties;

(d) determining the classes, varieties, and brands of liquor to be kept for sale at any store;

(e) prescribing, subject to RCW 66.16.080, the hours during which the state liquor stores shall be kept open for the sale of liquor;

(f) providing for the issuing and distributing of price lists showing the price to be paid by purchasers for each variety of liquor kept for sale under this title;

(g) prescribing an official seal and official labels and stamps and determining the manner in which they shall be attached to every package of liquor sold or sealed under this title, including the prescribing of different official seals or different official labels for different classes of liquor. A rule requiring brewers to state the alcohol content of malt beverages on individual containers shall not apply to brewers of malt beverages that produce less than sixty thousand barrels of malt beverages in a calendar year;

(h) providing for the payment by the board in whole or in part of the carrying charges on liquor shipped by freight or express;

(i) prescribing forms to be used for purposes of this title or the regulations, and the terms and conditions to be contained in permits and licenses issued under this title;

(j) prescribing the fees payable in respect of permits and licenses issued under this title for which no fees are prescribed in this title, and prescribing the fees for anything done or permitted to be done under the regulations;

(k) prescribing the kinds and quantities of liquor which may be kept on hand by the holder of a special permit for the purposes named in the permit, regulating the manner in which the same shall be kept and disposed of, and providing for the inspection of the same at any time at the instance of the board;

(l) regulating the sale of liquor kept by the holders of licenses which entitle the holder to purchase and keep liquor for sale;

(m) prescribing the records of purchases or sales of liquor kept by the holders of licenses, and the reports to be made thereon to the board, and providing for inspection of the records so kept;

(n) prescribing the kinds and quantities of liquor for which a prescription may be given, and the number of prescriptions which may be given to the same patient within a stated period;

(o) prescribing the manner of giving and serving notices required by this title or the regulations, where not otherwise provided for in this title;

(p) regulating premises in which liquor is kept for export from the state, or from which liquor is exported, prescribing the books and records to be kept therein and the reports to be made thereon to the board, and providing for the inspection of the premises and the books, records and the liquor so kept;

(q) prescribing the conditions and qualifications requisite for the obtaining of club licenses and the books and records to be kept and the returns to be made by clubs, prescribing the manner of licensing clubs in any municipality or other locality, and providing for the inspection of clubs;

(r) prescribing the conditions, accommodations and qualifications requisite for the obtaining of licenses to sell beer and wines, and regulating the sale of beer and wines thereunder;

(s) specifying and regulating the time and periods when, and the manner, methods and means by which manufacturers shall deliver liquor within the state; and the time and periods when, and the manner, methods and means by which liquor may lawfully be conveyed or carried within the state;

(t) providing for the making of returns by brewers of their sales of beer shipped within the state, or from the state, showing the gross amount of such sales and providing for the inspection of brewers' books and records, and for the checking of the accuracy of any such returns;

(u) providing for the making of returns by the wholesalers of beer whose breweries are located beyond the boundaries of the state;

(v) providing for the making of returns by any other liquor manufacturers, showing the gross amount of liquor produced or purchased, the amount sold within and exported from the state, and to whom so sold or exported, and providing for the inspection of the premises of any such liquor manufacturers, their books and records, and for the checking of any such return;

(w) providing for the giving of fidelity bonds by any or all of the employees of the board: PROVIDED, That the premiums therefor shall be paid by the board;

(x) providing for the shipment by mail or common carrier of liquor to any person holding a permit and residing in any unit which has, by election pursuant to this title, prohibited the sale of liquor therein;

(y) prescribing methods of manufacture, conditions of sanitation, standards of ingredients, quality and identity of alcoholic beverages manufactured, sold, bottled, or handled by licensees and the board; and conducting from time to time, in the interest of the public health and general welfare, scientific studies and research relating to alcoholic beverages and the use and effect thereof;

(z) seizing, confiscating and destroying all alcoholic beverages manufactured, sold or offered for sale within this state which do not conform in all respects to the standards prescribed by this title or the regulations of the board: PROVIDED, Nothing herein contained shall be construed as authorizing the liquor board to prescribe, alter, limit or in any way change the present law as to the quantity or percentage of alcohol used in the manufacturing of wine or other alcoholic beverages.