SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6589

              As Passed Senate, February 11, 2000

Title:  An act relating to domestic wineries.

Brief Description:  Allowing domestic wineries to exercise licensing privileges at up to two additional locations.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Hale, Deccio, Rasmussen, Loveland, B. Sheldon, West, McAuliffe and Kohl‑Welles).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions:  2/3/2000 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/11/2000, 43-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, TRADE, HOUSING & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6589 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Benton, Gardner, Hale, Rasmussen, T. Sheldon and Winsley.

Staff:  Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background:  A domestic winery may act as a distributor and/or retailer of wine of its own production.  Currently, wineries may only exercise these privileges at the licensed winery site.

Summary of Bill:  A licensed domestic winery may serve wine tastings of its own products and sell wine of its own production at up to two additional locations.  Each additional location must be approved by the Liquor Control Board but does not require additional licensing.  Additional locations shall not act as distributors.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This bill represents an economic development opportunity, especially in Eastern Washington.  Requiring only one license would streamline the process.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Jean Leonard, Washington Wine Institute; Eric Rindal, Waterbrook Winery; Dick Ducharme, Washington Beer and Wine Wholesaler's Association.