Brief Description: Authorizing licensees and managers to conduct courses of instruction on beer and wine and furnish beer and wine samples.

Sponsors: Representatives Wood, Condotta, Campbell and Chase.

Hearing Date: 2/2/05

Staff: Erik Van Hagen (786-5793).

Background:

Washington generally prohibits breweries, distilleries, wineries, and other producers or distributors of alcohol from furnishing wine, beer, and spirits free of charge. However, there are several exceptions to this prohibition. Breweries, distilleries, wineries, and other producers or distributors or their agents are permitted to furnish alcohol free of charge to liquor license holders in conjunction with educational courses of instruction that these producers or distributors conduct relating to their products. These educational programs include instruction regarding the history, nature, values, and characteristics of beer, wine, or spirits, the use of wine lists, and methods of presenting, serving, storing, and handling the beer, wine, or spirits.

Summary of Bill:

Liquor license holders and managers are added to the class of entities permitted to conduct instructional and educational programs regarding beer, wine, and spirits for their employees. Liquor license holders and managers are also permitted to furnish free samples of alcohol to their employees as part of the instructional and educational program.


Rules Authority: The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.