SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6339

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 1996

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:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  1/18/96, 1/29/96 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/12/96, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; A. Anderson, Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, McDonald, Newhouse and Wojahn.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786-7452)

Background:  In 1995, the Legislature passed SSB 5463 establishing the alcohol server permit program.  This program requires managers, bartenders and waitpersons involved in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption to obtain a Class 12 or Class 13 alcohol server permit.

To obtain a permit, an individual must complete training on state laws regarding the service of alcohol, how to check for proper identification, how to deny service to customers, and liability issues, among others.  Individuals are required to obtain a permit by July 1, 1996.  Liquor licensees have raised concerns regarding the lack of availability of training for their employees in time to meet the July 1, 1996 implementation date.

Provisions were included in the 1995 legislation that allow individuals who have completed a nationally recognized alcohol management or intervention program since July 1, 1993 to be issued a permit upon providing proof of completion of such training to the Liquor Control Board.  The Liquor Control Board's alcohol server training program was not explicitly included under this grandfather provision.  An expiration date for the grandfather provision was not included in the 1995 legislation.

Summary of Bill:  The implementation date of the alcohol server permit program is changed from July 1, 1996 to January 1, 1997.

Until January 1, 1997, individuals who complete the Liquor Control Board's alcohol server training program may be issued an alcohol server permit upon providing proof of completing such training to the Liquor Control Board.

The remaining portions of the grandfather provision are effective until January 1, 1997.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Licensees who have employees that must receive alcohol server training are having difficulty finding training.  There are only five more months until the training is mandatory.  Delaying implementation of the program for six months will assure that all are able to be trained as required.

Testimony Against:  Training is available today for those who need it.  Delaying the implementation date is therefore not necessary.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Haugen, prime sponsor; Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board; CON:  Gary McClanahan, Vito Chiechi, Licensed Beverage Association.

House Amendment(s):  Applicants for class 12 and class 13 alcohol server permits who completed an alcohol server training program offered by the Liquor Control Board may not use this training to satisfy the permit training requirement.