Brief Description: Authorizing the sale by spirit, beer, and wine licensees of malt liquor in containers that are capable of holding four gallons or more and are registered in accordance with RCW 66.28.200.

Sponsors: By Representatives Condotta and Wood.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development

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 beer and/or wine restaurants, taverns, grocery stores, and beer and/or wine specialty shops. Spirits, beer, and wine restaurants are not permitted to sell kegs.

Under keg registration requirements, sellers and purchasers of kegs or other large containers must follow certain procedures. The seller and purchaser must complete a registration form with information about the purchaser's identity and the address where the keg will be located or consumed. Copies of the registration must be provided to the purchaser, kept by the seller, and posted near the container. The purchaser must affirm that he or she: (1) is at least 21 years old; (2) will not tamper with the registration form; and (3) will not provide alcohol to a minor. Identification must be placed on the containers for purposes of tracing the purchasers.

Summary:

With an endorsement from the Board, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may sell malt liquor in kegs or other containers capable of holding four or more gallons. The restaurants must follow the same keg registration requirements as other establishments.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   47   0

Effective: July 22, 2007