CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2959

Chapter 94, Laws of 2008

60th Legislature
2008 Regular Session



CRAFT DISTILLERIES



EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/12/08 - Except sections 4 and 11, which become effective 07/01/08

Passed by the House February 15, 2008
  Yeas 89   Nays 1

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


Passed by the Senate March 6, 2008
  Yeas 47   Nays 0


BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
 
CERTIFICATE

I, Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2959 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.


BARBARA BAKER
________________________________________    
Chief Clerk
Approved March 20, 2008, 11:28 a.m.








CHRISTINE GREGOIRE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
March 21, 2008







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2959
_____________________________________________

Passed Legislature - 2008 Regular Session
State of Washington60th Legislature2008 Regular Session

By House Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Wood, Ormsby, Springer, Conway, Linville, Barlow, Walsh, and Quall)

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/08.   



     AN ACT Relating to craft distilleries; amending RCW 66.24.140, 66.04.010, 66.28.040, 66.28.060, 66.24.481, 66.20.300, and 66.20.310; reenacting and amending RCW 66.04.010, 66.28.010, and 66.24.210; adding a new section to chapter 66.24 RCW; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 66.24.140 and 1981 1st ex.s. c 5 s 28 are each amended to read as follows:
     There shall be a license to distillers, including blending, rectifying and bottling; fee two thousand dollars per annum((: PROVIDED, That)), unless provided otherwise as follows:
     (1) For distillers producing twenty thousand gallons or less of spirits with at least half of the raw materials used in the production grown in Washington, the license fee shall be reduced to one hundred dollars per annum;
     (2) T
he board shall license stills used and to be used solely and only by a commercial chemist for laboratory purposes, and not for the manufacture of liquor for sale, at a fee of twenty dollars per annum((: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That));
     (3) T
he board shall license stills used and to be used solely and only for laboratory purposes in any school, college or educational institution in the state, without fee((: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That)); and
     (4) T
he board shall license stills which shall have been duly licensed as fruit and/or wine distilleries by the federal government, used and to be used solely as fruit and/or wine distilleries in the production of fruit brandy and wine spirits, at a fee of two hundred dollars per annum.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 66.24 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Any craft distillery may sell spirits of its own production for consumption off the premises, up to two liters per person per day. Spirits sold under this subsection must be purchased from the board and sold at the retail price established by the board. A craft distillery selling spirits under this subsection must comply with the applicable laws and rules relating to retailers.
     (3) Any craft distillery licensed under this section may provide, free of charge, one-half ounce or less samples of spirits of its own production to persons on the premises of the distillery. The maximum total per person per day is two ounces. Every person who participates in any manner in the service of samples must obtain a class 12 alcohol server permit. Spirits used for samples must be purchased from the board.
     (4) The board shall adopt rules to implement the alcohol server permit requirement and may adopt additional rules to implement this section.
     (5) Distilling is an agricultural practice.

Sec. 3   RCW 66.04.010 and 2007 c 226 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     In this title, unless the context otherwise requires:
     (1) "Alcohol" is that substance known as ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, or spirit of wine, which is commonly produced by the fermentation or distillation of grain, starch, molasses, or sugar, or other substances including all dilutions and mixtures of this substance. The term "alcohol" does not include alcohol in the possession of a manufacturer or distiller of alcohol fuel, as described in RCW 66.12.130, which is intended to be denatured and used as a fuel for use in motor vehicles, farm implements, and machines or implements of husbandry.
     (2) "Authorized representative" means a person who:
     (a) Is required to have a federal basic permit issued pursuant to the federal alcohol administration act, 27 U.S.C. Sec. 204;
     (b) Has its business located in the United States outside of the state of Washington;
     (c) Acquires ownership of beer or wine for transportation into and resale in the state of Washington; and which beer or wine is produced anywhere outside Washington by a brewery or winery which does not hold a certificate of approval issued by the board; and
     (d) Is appointed by the brewery or winery referenced in (c) of this subsection as its exclusive authorized representative for marketing and selling its products within the United States in accordance with a written agreement between the authorized representative and such brewery or winery pursuant to this title. The board may waive the requirement for the written agreement of exclusivity in situations consistent with the normal marketing practices of certain products, such as classified growths.
     (3) "Beer" means any malt beverage, flavored malt beverage, or malt liquor as these terms are defined in this chapter.
     (4) "Beer distributor" means a person who buys beer from a domestic brewery, microbrewery, beer certificate of approval holder, or beer importers, or who acquires foreign produced beer from a source outside of the United States, for the purpose of selling the same pursuant to this title, or who represents such brewer or brewery as agent.
     (5) "Beer importer" means a person or business within Washington who purchases beer from a beer certificate of approval holder or who acquires foreign produced beer from a source outside of the United States for the purpose of selling the same pursuant to this title.
     (6) "Brewer" or "brewery" means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing beer and malt liquor. Brewer includes a brand owner of malt beverages who holds a brewer's notice with the federal bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms at a location outside the state and whose malt beverage is contract-produced by a licensed in-state brewery, and who may exercise within the state, under a domestic brewery license, only the privileges of storing, selling to licensed beer distributors, and exporting beer from the state.
     (7) "Board" means the liquor control board, constituted under this title.
     (8) "Club" means an organization of persons, incorporated or unincorporated, operated solely for fraternal, benevolent, educational, athletic or social purposes, and not for pecuniary gain.
     (9) "Confection" means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, dairy products, or flavorings, in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.
     (10) "Consume" includes the putting of liquor to any use, whether by drinking or otherwise.
     (11) "Contract liquor store" means a business that sells liquor on behalf of the board through a contract with a contract liquor store manager.
     (12) "Craft distillery" means a distillery that pays the reduced licensing fee under section 1 of this act.
     (13)
"Dentist" means a practitioner of dentistry duly and regularly licensed and engaged in the practice of his profession within the state pursuant to chapter 18.32 RCW.
     (((13))) (14) "Distiller" means a person engaged in the business of distilling spirits.
     (((14))) (15) "Domestic brewery" means a place where beer and malt liquor are manufactured or produced by a brewer within the state.
     (((15))) (16) "Domestic winery" means a place where wines are manufactured or produced within the state of Washington.
     (((16))) (17) "Druggist" means any person who holds a valid certificate and is a registered pharmacist and is duly and regularly engaged in carrying on the business of pharmaceutical chemistry pursuant to chapter 18.64 RCW.
     (((17))) (18) "Drug store" means a place whose principal business is, the sale of drugs, medicines and pharmaceutical preparations and maintains a regular prescription department and employs a registered pharmacist during all hours the drug store is open.
     (((18))) (19) "Employee" means any person employed by the board.
     (((19))) (20) "Flavored malt beverage" means:
     (a) A malt beverage containing six percent or less alcohol by volume to which flavoring or other added nonbeverage ingredients are added that contain distilled spirits of not more than forty-nine percent of the beverage's overall alcohol content; or
     (b) A malt beverage containing more than six percent alcohol by volume to which flavoring or other added nonbeverage ingredients are added that contain distilled spirits of not more than one and one-half percent of the beverage's overall alcohol content.
     (((20))) (21) "Fund" means 'liquor revolving fund.'
     (((21))) (22) "Hotel" means every building or other structure kept, used, maintained, advertised or held out to the public to be a place where food is served and sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to transient guests, in which twenty or more rooms are used for the sleeping accommodation of such transient guests and having one or more dining rooms where meals are served to such transient guests, such sleeping accommodations and dining rooms being conducted in the same building and buildings, in connection therewith, and such structure or structures being provided, in the judgment of the board, with adequate and sanitary kitchen and dining room equipment and capacity, for preparing, cooking and serving suitable food for its guests: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in cities and towns of less than five thousand population, the board shall have authority to waive the provisions requiring twenty or more rooms.
     (((22))) (23) "Importer" means a person who buys distilled spirits from a distillery outside the state of Washington and imports such spirituous liquor into the state for sale to the board or for export.
     (((23))) (24) "Imprisonment" means confinement in the county jail.
     (((24))) (25) "Liquor" includes the four varieties of liquor herein defined (alcohol, spirits, wine and beer), and all fermented, spirituous, vinous, or malt liquor, or combinations thereof, and mixed liquor, a part of which is fermented, spirituous, vinous or malt liquor, or otherwise intoxicating; and every liquid or solid or semisolid or other substance, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer, and all drinks or drinkable liquids and all preparations or mixtures capable of human consumption, and any liquid, semisolid, solid, or other substance, which contains more than one percent of alcohol by weight shall be conclusively deemed to be intoxicating. Liquor does not include confections or food products that contain one percent or less of alcohol by weight.
     (((25))) (26) "Manufacturer" means a person engaged in the preparation of liquor for sale, in any form whatsoever.
     (((26))) (27) "Malt beverage" or "malt liquor" means any beverage such as beer, ale, lager beer, stout, and porter obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of pure hops, or pure extract of hops and pure barley malt or other wholesome grain or cereal in pure water containing not more than eight percent of alcohol by weight, and not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume. For the purposes of this title, any such beverage containing more than eight percent of alcohol by weight shall be referred to as "strong beer."
     (((27))) (28) "Package" means any container or receptacle used for holding liquor.
     (((28))) (29) "Passenger vessel" means any boat, ship, vessel, barge, or other floating craft of any kind carrying passengers for compensation.
     (((29))) (30) "Permit" means a permit for the purchase of liquor under this title.
     (((30))) (31) "Person" means an individual, copartnership, association, or corporation.
     (((31))) (32) "Physician" means a medical practitioner duly and regularly licensed and engaged in the practice of his profession within the state pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW.
     (((32))) (33) "Prescription" means a memorandum signed by a physician and given by him to a patient for the obtaining of liquor pursuant to this title for medicinal purposes.
     (((33))) (34) "Public place" includes streets and alleys of incorporated cities and towns; state or county or township highways or roads; buildings and grounds used for school purposes; public dance halls and grounds adjacent thereto; those parts of establishments where beer may be sold under this title, soft drink establishments, public buildings, public meeting halls, lobbies, halls and dining rooms of hotels, restaurants, theatres, stores, garages and filling stations which are open to and are generally used by the public and to which the public is permitted to have unrestricted access; railroad trains, stages, and other public conveyances of all kinds and character, and the depots and waiting rooms used in conjunction therewith which are open to unrestricted use and access by the public; publicly owned bathing beaches, parks, and/or playgrounds; and all other places of like or similar nature to which the general public has unrestricted right of access, and which are generally used by the public.
     (((34))) (35) "Regulations" means regulations made by the board under the powers conferred by this title.
     (((35))) (36) "Restaurant" means any establishment provided with special space and accommodations where, in consideration of payment, food, without lodgings, is habitually furnished to the public, not including drug stores and soda fountains.
     (((36))) (37) "Sale" and "sell" include exchange, barter, and traffic; and also include the selling or supplying or distributing, by any means whatsoever, of liquor, or of any liquid known or described as beer or by any name whatever commonly used to describe malt or brewed liquor or of wine, by any person to any person; and also include a sale or selling within the state to a foreign consignee or his agent in the state. "Sale" and "sell" shall not include the giving, at no charge, of a reasonable amount of liquor by a person not licensed by the board to a person not licensed by the board, for personal use only. "Sale" and "sell" also does not include a raffle authorized under RCW 9.46.0315((: PROVIDED, That)). However, the nonprofit organization conducting the raffle has obtained the appropriate permit from the board.
     (((37))) (38) "Soda fountain" means a place especially equipped with apparatus for the purpose of dispensing soft drinks, whether mixed or otherwise.
     (((38))) (39) "Spirits" means any beverage which contains alcohol obtained by distillation, except flavored malt beverages, but including wines exceeding twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume.
     (((39))) (40) "Store" means a state liquor store established under this title.
     (((40))) (41) "Tavern" means any establishment with special space and accommodation for sale by the glass and for consumption on the premises, of beer, as herein defined.
     (((41))) (42) "Winery" means a business conducted by any person for the manufacture of wine for sale, other than a domestic winery.
     (((42))) (43)(a) "Wine" means any alcoholic beverage obtained by fermentation of fruits (grapes, berries, apples, et cetera) or other agricultural product containing sugar, to which any saccharine substances may have been added before, during or after fermentation, and containing not more than twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume, including sweet wines fortified with wine spirits, such as port, sherry, muscatel and angelica, not exceeding twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume and not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume. For purposes of this title, any beverage containing no more than fourteen percent of alcohol by volume when bottled or packaged by the manufacturer shall be referred to as "table wine," and any beverage containing alcohol in an amount more than fourteen percent by volume when bottled or packaged by the manufacturer shall be referred to as "fortified wine." However, "fortified wine" shall not include: (i) Wines that are both sealed or capped by cork closure and aged two years or more; and (ii) wines that contain more than fourteen percent alcohol by volume solely as a result of the natural fermentation process and that have not been produced with the addition of wine spirits, brandy, or alcohol.
     (b) This subsection shall not be interpreted to require that any wine be labeled with the designation "table wine" or "fortified wine."
     (((43))) (44) "Wine distributor" means a person who buys wine from a domestic winery, wine certificate of approval holder, or wine importer, or who acquires foreign produced wine from a source outside of the United States, for the purpose of selling the same not in violation of this title, or who represents such vintner or winery as agent.
     (((44))) (45) "Wine importer" means a person or business within Washington who purchases wine from a wine certificate of approval holder or who acquires foreign produced wine from a source outside of the United States for the purpose of selling the same pursuant to this title.

Sec. 4   RCW 66.04.010 and 2007 c 370 s 10 and 2007 c 226 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     In this title, unless the context otherwise requires:
     (1) "Alcohol" is that substance known as ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, or spirit of wine, which is commonly produced by the fermentation or distillation of grain, starch, molasses, or sugar, or other substances including all dilutions and mixtures of this substance. The term "alcohol" does not include alcohol in the possession of a manufacturer or distiller of alcohol fuel, as described in RCW 66.12.130, which is intended to be denatured and used as a fuel for use in motor vehicles, farm implements, and machines or implements of husbandry.
     (2) "Authorized representative" means a person who:
     (a) Is required to have a federal basic permit issued pursuant to the federal alcohol administration act, 27 U.S.C. Sec. 204;
     (b) Has its business located in the United States outside of the state of Washington;
     (c) Acquires ownership of beer or wine for transportation into and resale in the state of Washington; and which beer or wine is produced anywhere outside Washington by a brewery or winery which does not hold a certificate of approval issued by the board; and
     (d) Is appointed by the brewery or winery referenced in (c) of this subsection as its exclusive authorized representative for marketing and selling its products within the United States in accordance with a written agreement between the authorized representative and such brewery or winery pursuant to this title. The board may waive the requirement for the written agreement of exclusivity in situations consistent with the normal marketing practices of certain products, such as classified growths.
     (3) "Beer" means any malt beverage, flavored malt beverage, or malt liquor as these terms are defined in this chapter.
     (4) "Beer distributor" means a person who buys beer from a domestic brewery, microbrewery, beer certificate of approval holder, or beer importers, or who acquires foreign produced beer from a source outside of the United States, for the purpose of selling the same pursuant to this title, or who represents such brewer or brewery as agent.
     (5) "Beer importer" means a person or business within Washington who purchases beer from a beer certificate of approval holder or who acquires foreign produced beer from a source outside of the United States for the purpose of selling the same pursuant to this title.
     (6) "Brewer" or "brewery" means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing beer and malt liquor. Brewer includes a brand owner of malt beverages who holds a brewer's notice with the federal bureau of alcohol, tobacco, and firearms at a location outside the state and whose malt beverage is contract-produced by a licensed in-state brewery, and who may exercise within the state, under a domestic brewery license, only the privileges of storing, selling to licensed beer distributors, and exporting beer from the state.
     (7) "Board" means the liquor control board, constituted under this title.
     (8) "Club" means an organization of persons, incorporated or unincorporated, operated solely for fraternal, benevolent, educational, athletic or social purposes, and not for pecuniary gain.
     (9) "Confection" means a preparation of sugar, honey, or other natural or artificial sweeteners in combination with chocolate, fruits, nuts, dairy products, or flavorings, in the form of bars, drops, or pieces.
     (10) "Consume" includes the putting of liquor to any use, whether by drinking or otherwise.
     (11) "Contract liquor store" means a business that sells liquor on behalf of the board through a contract with a contract liquor store manager.
     (12) "Craft distillery" means a distillery that pays the reduced licensing fee under section 1 of this act.
     (13)
"Dentist" means a practitioner of dentistry duly and regularly licensed and engaged in the practice of his profession within the state pursuant to chapter 18.32 RCW.
     (((13))) (14) "Distiller" means a person engaged in the business of distilling spirits.
     (((14))) (15) "Domestic brewery" means a place where beer and malt liquor are manufactured or produced by a brewer within the state.
     (((15))) (16) "Domestic winery" means a place where wines are manufactured or produced within the state of Washington.
     (((16))) (17) "Druggist" means any person who holds a valid certificate and is a registered pharmacist and is duly and regularly engaged in carrying on the business of pharmaceutical chemistry pursuant to chapter 18.64 RCW.
     (((17))) (18) "Drug store" means a place whose principal business is, the sale of drugs, medicines and pharmaceutical preparations and maintains a regular prescription department and employs a registered pharmacist during all hours the drug store is open.
     (((18))) (19) "Employee" means any person employed by the board.
     (((19))) (20) "Flavored malt beverage" means:
     (a) A malt beverage containing six percent or less alcohol by volume to which flavoring or other added nonbeverage ingredients are added that contain distilled spirits of not more than forty-nine percent of the beverage's overall alcohol content; or
     (b) A malt beverage containing more than six percent alcohol by volume to which flavoring or other added nonbeverage ingredients are added that contain distilled spirits of not more than one and one-half percent of the beverage's overall alcohol content.
     (((20))) (21) "Fund" means 'liquor revolving fund.'
     (((21))) (22) "Hotel" means buildings, structures, and grounds, having facilities for preparing, cooking, and serving food, that are kept, used, maintained, advertised, or held out to the public to be a place where food is served and sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to transient guests, in which twenty or more rooms are used for the sleeping accommodation of such transient guests. The buildings, structures, and grounds must be located on adjacent property either owned or leased by the same person or persons.
     (((22))) (23) "Importer" means a person who buys distilled spirits from a distillery outside the state of Washington and imports such spirituous liquor into the state for sale to the board or for export.
     (((23))) (24) "Imprisonment" means confinement in the county jail.
     (((24))) (25) "Liquor" includes the four varieties of liquor herein defined (alcohol, spirits, wine and beer), and all fermented, spirituous, vinous, or malt liquor, or combinations thereof, and mixed liquor, a part of which is fermented, spirituous, vinous or malt liquor, or otherwise intoxicating; and every liquid or solid or semisolid or other substance, patented or not, containing alcohol, spirits, wine or beer, and all drinks or drinkable liquids and all preparations or mixtures capable of human consumption, and any liquid, semisolid, solid, or other substance, which contains more than one percent of alcohol by weight shall be conclusively deemed to be intoxicating. Liquor does not include confections or food products that contain one percent or less of alcohol by weight.
     (((25))) (26) "Manufacturer" means a person engaged in the preparation of liquor for sale, in any form whatsoever.
     (((26))) (27) "Malt beverage" or "malt liquor" means any beverage such as beer, ale, lager beer, stout, and porter obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of pure hops, or pure extract of hops and pure barley malt or other wholesome grain or cereal in pure water containing not more than eight percent of alcohol by weight, and not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume. For the purposes of this title, any such beverage containing more than eight percent of alcohol by weight shall be referred to as "strong beer."
     (((27))) (28) "Package" means any container or receptacle used for holding liquor.
     (((28))) (29) "Passenger vessel" means any boat, ship, vessel, barge, or other floating craft of any kind carrying passengers for compensation.
     (((29))) (30) "Permit" means a permit for the purchase of liquor under this title.
     (((30))) (31) "Person" means an individual, copartnership, association, or corporation.
     (((31))) (32) "Physician" means a medical practitioner duly and regularly licensed and engaged in the practice of his profession within the state pursuant to chapter 18.71 RCW.
     (((32))) (33) "Prescription" means a memorandum signed by a physician and given by him to a patient for the obtaining of liquor pursuant to this title for medicinal purposes.
     (((33))) (34) "Public place" includes streets and alleys of incorporated cities and towns; state or county or township highways or roads; buildings and grounds used for school purposes; public dance halls and grounds adjacent thereto; those parts of establishments where beer may be sold under this title, soft drink establishments, public buildings, public meeting halls, lobbies, halls and dining rooms of hotels, restaurants, theatres, stores, garages and filling stations which are open to and are generally used by the public and to which the public is permitted to have unrestricted access; railroad trains, stages, and other public conveyances of all kinds and character, and the depots and waiting rooms used in conjunction therewith which are open to unrestricted use and access by the public; publicly owned bathing beaches, parks, and/or playgrounds; and all other places of like or similar nature to which the general public has unrestricted right of access, and which are generally used by the public.
     (((34))) (35) "Regulations" means regulations made by the board under the powers conferred by this title.
     (((35))) (36) "Restaurant" means any establishment provided with special space and accommodations where, in consideration of payment, food, without lodgings, is habitually furnished to the public, not including drug stores and soda fountains.
     (((36))) (37) "Sale" and "sell" include exchange, barter, and traffic; and also include the selling or supplying or distributing, by any means whatsoever, of liquor, or of any liquid known or described as beer or by any name whatever commonly used to describe malt or brewed liquor or of wine, by any person to any person; and also include a sale or selling within the state to a foreign consignee or his agent in the state. "Sale" and "sell" shall not include the giving, at no charge, of a reasonable amount of liquor by a person not licensed by the board to a person not licensed by the board, for personal use only. "Sale" and "sell" also does not include a raffle authorized under RCW 9.46.0315: PROVIDED, That the nonprofit organization conducting the raffle has obtained the appropriate permit from the board.
     (((37))) (38) "Soda fountain" means a place especially equipped with apparatus for the purpose of dispensing soft drinks, whether mixed or otherwise.
     (((38))) (39) "Spirits" means any beverage which contains alcohol obtained by distillation, except flavored malt beverages, but including wines exceeding twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume.
     (((39))) (40) "Store" means a state liquor store established under this title.
     (((40))) (41) "Tavern" means any establishment with special space and accommodation for sale by the glass and for consumption on the premises, of beer, as herein defined.
     (((41))) (42) "Winery" means a business conducted by any person for the manufacture of wine for sale, other than a domestic winery.
     (((42))) (43)(a) "Wine" means any alcoholic beverage obtained by fermentation of fruits (grapes, berries, apples, et cetera) or other agricultural product containing sugar, to which any saccharine substances may have been added before, during or after fermentation, and containing not more than twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume, including sweet wines fortified with wine spirits, such as port, sherry, muscatel and angelica, not exceeding twenty-four percent of alcohol by volume and not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume. For purposes of this title, any beverage containing no more than fourteen percent of alcohol by volume when bottled or packaged by the manufacturer shall be referred to as "table wine," and any beverage containing alcohol in an amount more than fourteen percent by volume when bottled or packaged by the manufacturer shall be referred to as "fortified wine." However, "fortified wine" shall not include: (i) Wines that are both sealed or capped by cork closure and aged two years or more; and (ii) wines that contain more than fourteen percent alcohol by volume solely as a result of the natural fermentation process and that have not been produced with the addition of wine spirits, brandy, or alcohol.
     (b) This subsection shall not be interpreted to require that any wine be labeled with the designation "table wine" or "fortified wine."
     (((43))) (44) "Wine distributor" means a person who buys wine from a domestic winery, wine certificate of approval holder, or wine importer, or who acquires foreign produced wine from a source outside of the United States, for the purpose of selling the same not in violation of this title, or who represents such vintner or winery as agent.
     (((44))) (45) "Wine importer" means a person or business within Washington who purchases wine from a wine certificate of approval holder or who acquires foreign produced wine from a source outside of the United States for the purpose of selling the same pursuant to this title.

Sec. 5   RCW 66.28.010 and 2007 c 370 s 2, 2007 c 369 s 1, 2007 c 222 s 3, and 2007 c 217 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) No manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative, or person financially interested, directly or indirectly, in such business; whether resident or nonresident, shall have any financial interest, direct or indirect, in any licensed retail business, unless the retail business is owned by a corporation in which a manufacturer or importer has no direct stock ownership and there are no interlocking officers and directors, the retail license is held by a corporation that is not owned directly or indirectly by a manufacturer or importer, the sales of liquor are incidental to the primary activity of operating the property as a hotel, alcoholic beverages produced by the manufacturer or importer or their subsidiaries are not sold at the licensed premises, and the board reviews the ownership and proposed method of operation of all involved entities and determines that there will not be an unacceptable level of control or undue influence over the operation or the retail licensee; nor shall any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative own any of the property upon which such licensed persons conduct their business; nor shall any such licensed person, under any arrangement whatsoever, conduct his or her business upon property in which any manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative has any interest unless title to that property is owned by a corporation in which a manufacturer has no direct stock ownership and there are no interlocking officers or directors, the retail license is held by a corporation that is not owned directly or indirectly by the manufacturer, the sales of liquor are incidental to the primary activity of operating the property either as a hotel or as an amphitheater offering live musical and similar live entertainment activities to the public, alcoholic beverages produced by the manufacturer or any of its subsidiaries are not sold at the licensed premises, and the board reviews the ownership and proposed method of operation of all involved entities and determines that there will not be an unacceptable level of control or undue influence over the operation of the retail licensee. Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, no manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative shall advance moneys or moneys' worth to a licensed person under an arrangement, nor shall such licensed person receive, under an arrangement, an advance of moneys or moneys' worth. "Person" as used in this section only shall not include those state or federally chartered banks, state or federally chartered savings and loan associations, state or federally chartered mutual savings banks, or institutional investors which are not controlled directly or indirectly by a manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative as long as the bank, savings and loan association, or institutional investor does not influence or attempt to influence the purchasing practices of the retailer with respect to alcoholic beverages. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative shall be eligible to receive or hold a retail license under this title, nor shall such manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative sell at retail any liquor as herein defined. A corporation granted an exemption under this subsection may use debt instruments issued in connection with financing construction or operations of its facilities.
     (b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a licensed domestic brewery or microbrewery from being licensed as a retailer pursuant to chapter 66.24 RCW for the purpose of selling beer or wine at retail on the brewery premises and at one additional off-site retail only location and nothing in this section shall prohibit a domestic winery from being licensed as a retailer pursuant to chapter 66.24 RCW for the purpose of selling beer or wine at retail on the winery premises. Such beer and wine so sold at retail shall be subject to the taxes imposed by RCW 66.24.290 and 66.24.210 and to reporting and bonding requirements as prescribed by regulations adopted by the board pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, and beer and wine that is not produced by the brewery or winery shall be purchased from a licensed beer or wine distributor. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a microbrewery holding a beer and/or wine restaurant license under RCW 66.24.320 from holding the same privileges and endorsements attached to the beer and/or wine restaurant license. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a licensed craft distillery from selling spirits of its own production under section 2 of this act.
     (c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a licensed distiller, domestic brewery, microbrewery, domestic winery, or a lessee of a licensed domestic brewer, microbrewery, or domestic winery, from being licensed as a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant pursuant to chapter 66.24 RCW for the purpose of selling liquor at a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant premises on the property on which the primary manufacturing facility of the licensed distiller, domestic brewer, microbrewery, or domestic winery is located or on contiguous property owned or leased by the licensed distiller, domestic brewer, microbrewery, or domestic winery as prescribed by rules adopted by the board pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a microbrewery holding a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license under RCW 66.24.420 from holding the same privileges and endorsements attached to the spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license. This section does not prohibit a brewery or microbrewery holding a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license or a beer and/or wine license under chapter 66.24 RCW operated on the premises of the brewery or microbrewery from holding a second retail only license at a location separate from the premises of the brewery or microbrewery.
     (d) Nothing in this section prohibits retail licensees with a caterer's endorsement issued under RCW 66.24.320 or 66.24.420 from operating on a domestic winery premises.
     (e) Nothing in this section prohibits an organization qualifying under RCW 66.24.375 formed for the purpose of constructing and operating a facility to promote Washington wines from holding retail licenses on the facility property or leasing all or any portion of such facility property to a retail licensee on the facility property if the members of the board of directors or officers of the board for the organization include officers, directors, owners, or employees of a licensed domestic winery. Financing for the construction of the facility must include both public and private money.
     (f) Nothing in this section prohibits a bona fide charitable nonprofit society or association registered under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, or a local wine industry association registered under section 501(c)(6) of the internal revenue code as it exists on July 22, 2007, and having an officer, director, owner, or employee of a licensed domestic winery or a wine certificate of approval holder on its board of directors from holding a special occasion license under RCW 66.24.380.
     (g)(i) Nothing in this section prohibits domestic wineries and retailers licensed under chapter 66.24 RCW from producing, jointly or together with regional, state, or local wine industry associations, brochures and materials promoting tourism in Washington state which contain information regarding retail licensees, domestic wineries, and their products.
     (ii) Nothing in this section prohibits: (A) Domestic wineries, domestic breweries, microbreweries, and certificate of approval holders licensed under this chapter from listing on their internet web sites information related to retailers who sell or promote their products, including direct links to the retailers' internet web sites; and (B) retailers licensed under this chapter from listing on their internet web sites information related to domestic wineries, domestic breweries, microbreweries, and certificate of approval holders whose products those retailers sell or promote, including direct links to the domestic wineries', domestic breweries', microbreweries', and certificate of approval holders' web sites.
     (h) Nothing in this section prohibits the performance of personal services offered from time to time by a domestic winery or certificate of approval holder licensed under RCW 66.24.206(1)(a) for or on behalf of a licensed retail business when the personal services are (i) conducted at a licensed premises, and (ii) intended to inform, educate, or enhance customers' knowledge or experience of the manufacturer's products. The performance of personal services may include participation and pouring at the premises of a retailer holding a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license, a wine and/or beer restaurant license, or a specialty wine shop license; bottle signings; and other similar informational or educational activities. A domestic winery or certificate of approval holder is not obligated to perform any such personal services, and a retail licensee may not require a domestic winery or certificate of approval holder to conduct any personal service as a condition for selling any alcohol to the retail licensee. Except as provided in RCW 66.28.150, the cost of sampling may not be borne, directly or indirectly, by any liquor manufacturer, importer, or distributor. Nothing in this section prohibits domestic wineries and retail licensees from identifying the wineries on private labels authorized under RCW 66.24.400, 66.24.425, and 66.24.450.
     (i) Until July 1, 2007, nothing in this section prohibits a nonprofit statewide organization of microbreweries formed for the purpose of promoting Washington's craft beer industry as a trade association registered as a 501(c) with the internal revenue service from holding a special occasion license to conduct up to six beer festivals.
     (j) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a manufacturer, importer, or distributor from entering into an arrangement with any holder of a sports/entertainment facility license or an affiliated business for brand advertising at the licensed facility or promoting events held at the sports entertainment facility as authorized under RCW 66.24.570.
     (2) Financial interest, direct or indirect, as used in this section, shall include any interest, whether by stock ownership, mortgage, lien, or through interlocking directors, or otherwise. Pursuant to rules promulgated by the board in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW manufacturers, distributors, and importers may perform, and retailers may accept the service of building, rotating and restocking case displays and stock room inventories; rotating and rearranging can and bottle displays of their own products; provide point of sale material and brand signs; price case goods of their own brands; and perform such similar normal business services as the board may by regulation prescribe.
     (3)(a) This section does not prohibit a manufacturer, importer, or distributor from providing services to a special occasion licensee for: (i) Installation of draft beer dispensing equipment or advertising, (ii) advertising, pouring, or dispensing of beer or wine at a beer or wine tasting exhibition or judging event, or (iii) a special occasion licensee from receiving any such services as may be provided by a manufacturer, importer, or distributor. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a retail licensee, or any person financially interested, directly or indirectly, in such a retail licensee from having a financial interest, direct or indirect, in a business which provides, for a compensation commensurate in value to the services provided, bottling, canning or other services to a manufacturer, so long as the retail licensee or person interested therein has no direct financial interest in or control of said manufacturer.
     (b) A person holding contractual rights to payment from selling a liquor distributor's business and transferring the license shall not be deemed to have a financial interest under this section if the person (i) lacks any ownership in or control of the distributor, (ii) is not employed by the distributor, and (iii) does not influence or attempt to influence liquor purchases by retail liquor licensees from the distributor.
     (c) The board shall adopt such rules as are deemed necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of subsections (1)(g) and (h) and (3)(a) of this section in accordance with the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW.
     (4) A license issued under RCW 66.24.395 does not constitute a retail license for the purposes of this section.
     (5) A public house license issued under RCW 66.24.580 does not violate the provisions of this section as to a retailer having an interest directly or indirectly in a liquor-licensed manufacturer.

Sec. 6   RCW 66.28.040 and 2004 c 160 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     Except as permitted by the board under RCW 66.20.010, no domestic brewery, microbrewery, distributor, distiller, domestic winery, importer, rectifier, certificate of approval holder, or other manufacturer of liquor shall, within the state of Washington, give to any person any liquor; but nothing in this section nor in RCW 66.28.010 shall prevent a domestic brewery, microbrewery, distributor, domestic winery, distiller, certificate of approval holder, or importer from furnishing samples of beer, wine, or spirituous liquor to authorized licensees for the purpose of negotiating a sale, in accordance with regulations adopted by the liquor control board, provided that the samples are subject to taxes imposed by RCW 66.24.290 and 66.24.210, and in the case of spirituous liquor, any product used for samples must be purchased at retail from the board; nothing in this section shall prevent the furnishing of samples of liquor to the board for the purpose of negotiating the sale of liquor to the state liquor control board; nothing in this section shall prevent a domestic brewery, microbrewery, domestic winery, distillery, certificate of approval holder, or distributor from furnishing beer, wine, or spirituous liquor for instructional purposes under RCW 66.28.150; nothing in this section shall prevent a domestic winery, certificate of approval holder, or distributor from furnishing wine without charge, subject to the taxes imposed by RCW 66.24.210, to a not-for-profit group organized and operated solely for the purpose of enology or the study of viticulture which has been in existence for at least six months and that uses wine so furnished solely for such educational purposes or a domestic winery, or an out-of-state certificate of approval holder, from furnishing wine without charge or a domestic brewery, or an out-of-state certificate of approval holder, from furnishing beer without charge, subject to the taxes imposed by RCW 66.24.210 or 66.24.290, to a nonprofit charitable corporation or association exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)) for use consistent with the purpose or purposes entitling it to such exemption; nothing in this section shall prevent a domestic brewery or microbrewery from serving beer without charge, on the brewery premises; nothing in this section shall prevent donations of wine for the purposes of RCW 66.12.180; ((and)) nothing in this section shall prevent a domestic winery from serving wine without charge, on the winery premises; and nothing in this section shall prevent a craft distillery from serving spirits without charge, on the distillery premises subject to section 2 of this act.

Sec. 7   RCW 66.28.060 and 1933 ex.s. c 62 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:
     Every distillery licensed under this title shall make monthly reports to the board pursuant to the regulations. No such distillery shall make any sale of spirits within the state of Washington except to the board and as provided in section 2 of this act.

Sec. 8   RCW 66.24.210 and 2006 c 302 s 5, 2006 c 101 s 4, and 2006 c 49 s 8 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
     (1) There is hereby imposed upon all wines except cider sold to wine distributors and the Washington state liquor control board, within the state a tax at the rate of twenty and one-fourth cents per liter. Any domestic winery or certificate of approval holder acting as a distributor of its own production shall pay taxes imposed by this section. There is hereby imposed on all cider sold to wine distributors and the Washington state liquor control board within the state a tax at the rate of three and fifty-nine one-hundredths cents per liter. However, wine sold or shipped in bulk from one winery to another winery shall not be subject to such tax.
     (a) The tax provided for in this section shall be collected by direct payments based on wine purchased by wine distributors.
     (b) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, every person purchasing wine under the provisions of this section shall on or before the twentieth day of each month report to the board all purchases during the preceding calendar month in such manner and upon such forms as may be prescribed by the board, and with such report shall pay the tax due from the purchases covered by such report unless the same has previously been paid. Any such purchaser of wine whose applicable tax payment is not postmarked by the twentieth day following the month of purchase will be assessed a penalty at the rate of two percent a month or fraction thereof. The board may require that every such person shall execute to and file with the board a bond to be approved by the board, in such amount as the board may fix, securing the payment of the tax. If any such person fails to pay the tax when due, the board may forthwith suspend or cancel the license until all taxes are paid.
     (c) Any licensed retailer authorized to purchase wine from a certificate of approval holder with a direct shipment endorsement or a domestic winery shall make monthly reports to the liquor control board on wine purchased during the preceding calendar month in the manner and upon such forms as may be prescribed by the board.
     (2) An additional tax is imposed equal to the rate specified in RCW 82.02.030 multiplied by the tax payable under subsection (1) of this section. All revenues collected during any month from this additional tax shall be transferred to the state general fund by the twenty-fifth day of the following month.
     (3) An additional tax is imposed on wines subject to tax under subsection (1) of this section, at the rate of one-fourth of one cent per liter for wine sold after June 30, 1987. After June 30, 1996, such additional tax does not apply to cider. An additional tax of five one-hundredths of one cent per liter is imposed on cider sold after June 30, 1996. All revenues collected under this subsection (3) shall be disbursed quarterly to the Washington wine commission for use in carrying out the purposes of chapter 15.88 RCW.
     (4) An additional tax is imposed on all wine subject to tax under subsection (1) of this section. The additional tax is equal to twenty-three and forty-four one-hundredths cents per liter on fortified wine as defined in RCW 66.04.010(((41))) when bottled or packaged by the manufacturer, one cent per liter on all other wine except cider, and eighteen one-hundredths of one cent per liter on cider. All revenues collected during any month from this additional tax shall be deposited in the violence reduction and drug enforcement account under RCW 69.50.520 by the twenty-fifth day of the following month.
     (5)(a) An additional tax is imposed on all cider subject to tax under subsection (1) of this section. The additional tax is equal to two and four one-hundredths cents per liter of cider sold after June 30, 1996, and before July 1, 1997, and is equal to four and seven one-hundredths cents per liter of cider sold after June 30, 1997.
     (b) All revenues collected from the additional tax imposed under this subsection (5) shall be deposited in the health services account under RCW 43.72.900.
     (6) For the purposes of this section, "cider" means table wine that contains not less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume and not more than seven percent of alcohol by volume and is made from the normal alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe apples or pears. "Cider" includes, but is not limited to, flavored, sparkling, or carbonated cider and cider made from condensed apple or pear must.
     (7) For the purposes of this section, out-of-state wineries shall pay taxes under this section on wine sold and shipped directly to Washington state residents in a manner consistent with the requirements of a wine distributor under subsections (1) through (4) of this section, except wineries shall be responsible for the tax and not the resident purchaser.

Sec. 9   RCW 66.24.481 and 1969 ex.s. c 250 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     No public place or club, or agent, servant or employee thereof, shall keep or allow to be kept, either by itself, its agent, servant or employee, or any other person, any liquor in any place maintained or conducted by such public place or club, nor shall it permit the drinking of any liquor in any such place, unless the sale of liquor in said place is authorized by virtue of a valid and subsisting license issued by the Washington state liquor control board, or the consumption of liquor in said place is authorized by a special banquet permit issued by said board. Every person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
     "Public place," for purposes of this section only, shall mean in addition to the definition set forth in RCW 66.04.010(((24))), any place to which admission is charged or in which any pecuniary gain is realized by the owner or operator of such place in selling or vending food or soft drinks.

Sec. 10   RCW 66.20.300 and 1997 c 321 s 44 are each amended to read as follows:
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 66.20.310 through 66.20.350.
     (1) "Alcohol" has the same meaning as "liquor" in RCW 66.04.010.
     (2) "Alcohol server" means any person ((serving or selling alcohol, spirits, wines, or beer)) who as part of his or her employment participates in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for consumption at ((an on-premises)) a retail licensed ((facility)) premise as a regular requirement of his or her employment, and includes those persons eighteen years of age or older permitted by the liquor laws of this state to serve alcoholic beverages with meals.
     (3) "Board" means the Washington state liquor control board.
     (4) "Training entity" means any liquor licensee associations, independent contractors, private persons, and private or public schools, that have been certified by the board.
     (5) "Retail licensed premises" means any:
     (a) P
remises licensed to sell alcohol by the glass or by the drink, or in original containers primarily for consumption on the premises as authorized by RCW 66.24.320, 66.24.330, 66.24.350, 66.24.400, 66.24.425, 66.24.450, and 66.24.570; and
     (b) Distillery licensed pursuant to RCW 66.24.140 that is authorized to serve samples of its own production
.

Sec. 11   RCW 66.20.310 and 2007 c 370 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) There shall be an alcohol server permit, known as a class 12 permit, for a manager or bartender selling or mixing alcohol, spirits, wines, or beer for consumption at an on-premises licensed facility.
     (b) There shall be an alcohol server permit, known as a class 13 permit, for a person who only serves alcohol, spirits, wines, or beer for consumption at an on-premises licensed facility.
     (c) As provided by rule by the board, a class 13 permit holder may be allowed to act as a bartender without holding a class 12 permit.
     (2)(a) Effective January 1, 1997, except as provided in (d) of this subsection, every ((person)) alcohol server employed, under contract or otherwise((, by an annual retail liquor licensee holding a license as authorized by RCW 66.24.320, 66.24.330, 66.24.350, 66.24.400, 66.24.425, 66.24.450, 66.24.590, or 66.24.570, who as part of his or her employment participates in any manner in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages)) at a retail licensed premise, shall have issued to them a class 12 or class 13 permit.
     (b) Every class 12 and class 13 permit issued shall be issued in the name of the applicant and no other person may use the permit of another permit holder. The holder shall present the permit upon request to inspection by a representative of the board or a peace officer. The class 12 or class 13 permit shall be valid for employment at any retail licensed premises described in (a) of this subsection.
     (c) No licensee ((described in (a) of this subsection)) holding a license as authorized by RCW 66.24.320, 66.24.330, 66.24.350, 66.24.400, 66.24.425, 66.24.450, and 66.24.570, except as provided in (d) of this subsection, may employ or accept the services of any person without the person first having a valid class 12 or class 13 permit.
     (d) Within sixty days of initial employment, every person whose duties include the compounding, sale, service, or handling of liquor shall have a class 12 or class 13 permit.
     (e) No person may perform duties that include the sale or service of alcoholic beverages on a retail licensed premises without possessing a valid alcohol server permit.
     (3) A permit issued by a training entity under this section is valid for employment at any retail licensed premises described in subsection (2)(a) of this section for a period of five years unless suspended by the board.
     (4) The board may suspend or revoke an existing permit if any of the following occur:
     (a) The applicant or permittee has been convicted of violating any of the state or local intoxicating liquor laws of this state or has been convicted at any time of a felony; or
     (b) The permittee has performed or permitted any act that constitutes a violation of this title or of any rule of the board.
     (5) The suspension or revocation of a permit under this section does not relieve a licensee from responsibility for any act of the employee or agent while employed upon the retail licensed premises. The board may, as appropriate, revoke or suspend either the permit of the employee who committed the violation or the license of the licensee upon whose premises the violation occurred, or both the permit and the license.
     (6)(a) After January 1, 1997, it is a violation of this title for any retail licensee or agent of a retail licensee as described in subsection (2)(a) of this section to employ in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages, any person who does not have a valid alcohol server permit or whose permit has been revoked, suspended, or denied.
     (b) It is a violation of this title for a person whose alcohol server permit has been denied, suspended, or revoked to accept employment in the sale or service of alcoholic beverages.
     (7) Grocery stores licensed under RCW 66.24.360, the primary commercial activity of which is the sale of grocery products and for which the sale and service of beer and wine for on-premises consumption with food is incidental to the primary business, and employees of such establishments, are exempt from RCW 66.20.300 through 66.20.350.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   Section 3 of this act expires July 1, 2008.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   Sections 4 and 11 of this act take effect July 1, 2008.


         Passed by the House February 15, 2008.
         Passed by the Senate March 6, 2008.
         Approved by the Governor March 20, 2008.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 21, 2008.