HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1171

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.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/5/09, 2/12/09 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Eliminates the definition of "affected producer."
Redefines "producer" to include all licensed persons or entities that produce beer in Washington – not just Washington-licensed persons or entities that annually produce less than 100,000 barrels of beer per location.
Allows the Washington Beer Commission to continue to receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources by removing the termination date.
Removes references to expired provisions.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Blake, Chair; Jacks, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Smith, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Liias, McCoy, Nelson, Ormsby, Pearson, Van De Wege and Warnick.

Background:

In 2006 legislation was enacted to establish the Washington Beer Commission (Commission). Creation of the Commission was contingent upon approval of the affected producers, who are Washington-licensed brewers producing less than 100,000 barrels annually. A vote of the affected breweries was held in the fall of 2006 in favor of creating the Commission.The Commission will research and market 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 Bill:

A producer is a person or other entity licensed by the state to produce beer within Washington.

The Commission may indefinitely receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public and private sources.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Microbreweries in Washington make some of the best beer in the country. This bill would help the beer industry market their product, and allow larger producers to donate beer for marketing and festivals.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Sullivan, prime sponsor; and T.K. Bentler, Washington Brewers Guild.