SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6114

              As Passed Senate, February 7, 1996

Title:  An act relating to providing liquor to persons under age twenty‑one.

Brief Description:  Increasing the penalty for providing liquor to persons under age twenty‑one.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl, Roach, Owen, Long, Smith, Winsley, Quigley, McAuliffe, Prentice, Franklin, Spanel, Haugen, Goings, Heavey and Schow.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  1/22/96, 1/31/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/7/96, 46-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; Fairley, Vice Chair; Goings, Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Quigley, Roach and Schow.

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786-7755)

Background:  Any person who sells, gives, or otherwise supplies liquor to a person under the age of 21, or permits the consumption of liquor on his or her premises or any premises under his or her control by a person under age 21, is guilty of violating the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.  The violation is a misdemeanor, and the punishment for the first offense is a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than two months or both. 

There is concern that the current penalty for supplying liquor to a person under age 21 or allowing consumption of liquor by a person under age 21 is not commensurate with the serious consequences that can ensue when the violation occurs.

Summary of Bill:  It is a gross misdemeanor to sell, give, or supply liquor to a person under the age of 21.  A person who allows a youth under the age of 21 to consume liquor on premises owned by the person or under his or her control is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  A violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act is just a misdemeanor.  There is hope that stiffer penalties will deter adults from furnishing liquor to those under 21 years of age.  This bill does not create a new obligation or standard of conduct.  It sends an important message to the public.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Kohl, prime sponsor; Janice Blair; Randy Blair; Robert Carpenter; Gary Gilbert, Liquor Control Board; Janice Skinner, Active Disabled of Grays Harbor.