SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6537

              As Passed Senate, February 13, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the receipt of grant moneys, and other funds or donations, by the liquor control board to implement tobacco enforcement and prevention of youth access to tobacco.

Brief Description:  Allowing the liquor control board to receive grants and other funds or donations to implement programs about alcohol and tobacco.

Sponsors:  Senators Schow, Heavey, Winsley and T. Sheldon; by request of Liquor Control Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  2/3/98, 2/4/98 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/13/98, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Fraser, Heavey and Newhouse.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786-7452)

Background:  Under current law, the Liquor Control Board is authorized to accept and disburse, subject to appropriation, federal grants or other funds or donations from any source for the purpose of improving public awareness of the health risks associated with the misuse of alcohol.  The board is required to cooperate with federal and state agencies, interested organizations, and individuals to provide an active alcohol awareness program.

The Liquor Control Board has no statutory authority to accept federal funds or donations from other sources for similar activities related to the use of tobacco.  Non-state funds may be available for the board to conduct programs to improve public awareness of the health risks associated with tobacco use.

Summary of Bill:  The Liquor Control Board is authorized to accept and disburse, subject to appropriation, federal grants or other funds or donations from any sources for the purpose of improving public awareness regarding the use of tobacco.

Manufacturers, retailers or wholesalers of all alcohol, tobacco or cigarette products are prohibited from providing funds or donations to the Liquor Control Board for public awareness activities regarding the health risks of alcohol and/or tobacco or cigarette products.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 29, 1998.

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

Testimony For:  This bill will allow the Liquor Control Board to accept funds from the federal government and other sources to be used to conduct public awareness activities regarding the health risks associated with the use of tobacco or cigarette products.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Gary Gilbert, Liquor Control Board (pro).