Title: An act relating to the Washington beer commission.

Brief Description: Authorizing the Washington beer commission to receive gifts, grants, and endowments.

Sponsors: House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives P. Sullivan, Newhouse, B. Sullivan and Santos).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/23/07, 89-0.

Committee Activity: Agriculture & Rural Economic Development: 3/15/07 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Morton and Shin.

Staff: Sam Thompson (786-7413)

Background: Legislation authorizing a Washington Beer Commission (Commission) was enacted in 2006. The Commission was officially created after affected producers – Washington-licensed brewers producing less than 100,000 barrels annually – voted to do so in a referendum conducted last fall.

The Commission promotes and conducts research regarding Washington-produced beer, with oversight by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. To fund its activities, the Commission is authorized to assess producers a fee of 10 cents per barrel produced and to sell beer at beer festivals.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Commission may receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources for the use and benefit of the purposes of the Commission. Expenditures must be made according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments. This authorization ends July 1, 2009.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Some breweries wish to contribute more than their assessment to fund Commission activities, and this bill would enable them to do so. Other commodity commissions have this authority.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Arlen Harris, Washington Beer.