HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2501
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Commerce & Labor
Title: An act relating to beer and wine specialty shops.
Brief Description: Increasing the size of containers holding malt liquor that can be sold by beer and/or wine specialty shops.
Sponsors: Representatives Williams, Newhouse, Moeller and Upthegrove.
Brief History:
Commerce & Labor: 1/31/08, 2/1/08 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse, Green, Moeller and Williams.
Staff: Brian Considine (786-7290).
Background:
The Liquor Control Board (Board) issues a number of types of liquor licenses. These include
licenses for spirits, beer, and wine restaurants, beer and/or wine restaurants, taverns, grocery
stores, and beer and/or wine specialty shops. Kegs (or other containers holding four gallons
or more) of malt liquor may be sold by the following licensees:
: Licensees are required to attain an
additional license, and the license allows containers holding malt liquor of four
gallons or more.
Beer and/or wine restaurants and taverns; grocery stores; and spirits, beer, and wine restaurants are required to follow keg registration procedures listed in the code.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
Beer and/or wine specialty shops may sell containers of malt liquor that hold four gallons or
more of liquid, and they must comply with keg registration procedures.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill requires beer and/or wine specialty shops to comply with keg registration
procedures if such shops sell containers of malt liquor that hold four gallons or more of
liquid. The substitute bill also changes the size of the keg that a beer and/or wine specialty
shop may sell from holding less than 15.5 gallons to holding more than four gallons.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill brings the emerging beer and/or wine specialty shop market in line with
other businesses that sell kegs of beer. This is a good bill that allows shops to sell kegs to go.
The standard keg is 15.5 gallons. There are great beer shops selling high-end beers and wine
stores selling Washington wines, and this allows stores to offer another vessel of beer for
parties, barbeques, and weddings. Currently, specialty stores can only sell a five-gallon
vessel, and that does not last long at a wedding. This allows stores to offer draft beer to
customers and allows owners to enhance their business.
(Neutral) This is open to all beers, not just microbrews. The Board is neutral, and we are
working on an amendment that would, like with all businesses that sell kegs, require keg
registration.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Williams, prime sponsor; Arlen Harris,
Washington Brewers Guild; and Jeff Bert, Gravity Beer Market.
(Neutral) Rick Garza, Washington State Liquor Control Board.