HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6339

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to making modifications to the alcohol server permit program.

Brief Description:  Concerning the requirements for receipt of an alcohol server permit.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Snyder, McCaslin, Pelz and Hale.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  2/20/96, 2/22/96 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives McMorris, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Romero, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cairnes; Cody; Cole; Fuhrman; Goldsmith; Horn and Lisk.

Staff:  Pam Madson (786-7166).

Background:  The alcohol server permit program was established in 1995.  The program requires managers, bartenders, and waitpersons involved in the selling or serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises to obtain a Class 12 or Class 13 alcohol server permit.  All applicants for a permit must receive training in alcohol service and related issues.  All alcohol servers must be trained and must have either a class 12 or class 13 alcohol server permit by July 1, 1996.

The training requirements for managers or bartenders include state laws relating to serving alcohol, the effects of alcohol, legal liability relating to alcohol, how to deal with customers, and how to check for proper identification.  Other alcohol servers must participate in a one-hour video training session.  The training video is produced by private vendors or training entities.  Alcohol server training by the Liquor Control Board is not included as a training option.

Individuals who have completed a nationally recognized alcohol management or intervention program after July 1, 1993, may use this program to satisfy the training requirement and may receive an alcohol server permit upon providing proof of such training to the Liquor Control Board.

Summary of Amended Bill:  Implementation of the alcohol server permit program is delayed from July 1, 1996, to January 1, 1997.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The Liquor Control Board's alcohol server training may not be used to satisfy the training requirement for the alcohol server program, including any training done since 1993.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Currently, approximately 5,000 of the possible 100,000 employees have been trained.  There may not be enough time before July 1, 1996, to train the remaining people.  The number of servers to be trained is an estimate based on the number of retail licensees and an average number of managers, bartenders and serves per licensee.  The training got off to a slow start but is now moving faster.  The Liquor Control Board used to train employees.  This training could satisfy the one- hour training requirement for servers and help expedite the training process before January 1, 1997. 

Testimony Against:  The national programs are excellent programs.  There is concern over using the Liquor Control Board training for managers and bar tenders.  Training for bartenders and managers should be much more extensive than what the board provides.  All servers should have a good course in how alcohol affects the body.  The board training could be used for the one hour server training requirement.

Testified:  (In favor) Carter Mitchell Washington State Liquor Control Board. (Opposed) Ron Krause, Washington  State Licensed Beverage Association; and Vito Chiechi, Washington State Licensed Beverage Association.  (With concerns) Kit Hawkins, Restaurant Association of Washington.