SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5110

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.

Title: An act relating to allowing wedding boutiques and art galleries to serve wine or beer to their customers who are twenty-one years of age or older.

Brief Description: Allowing wedding boutiques and art galleries to serve wine or beer to their customers who are twenty-one years of age or older.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford, Schoesler, McCaslin, Hewitt, Kohl-Welles, McDermott and Holmquist).

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection: 1/20/09, 2/05/09 [DPS].

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5110 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Franklin, Honeyford, King and Kline.

Background: An entity serving alcohol for on-premise consumption must obtain the appropriate license from the Liquor Control Board (LCB). Entities serving alcohol for on-premise consumption must serve food.

Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill: Wedding boutiques and art galleries may offer one glass of wine or beer without charge to customers at least 21 years of age for on-premise consumption. Wine or beer served must be purchased from a licensed retailer at full retail price. Boutiques and art galleries cannot advertise the service of complimentary wine or beer and employees involved in the service of wine or beer must complete an approved limited alcohol server training program. Definitions are provided for "art gallery" and "wedding boutique."

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: It would be nice for bridal boutiques to be able to serve a complimentary glass of wine to brides and grooms while they are looking through wedding catalogues and invitations. Beer should be included as an option along with wine. Hotels would like to offer additional services to guests who get pedicures and manicures and this bill fits nicely with that desire.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Laura Smith, Everything but the Dress; T.K. Bentler, Washington State Hotel and Lodging Association, Washington Brewers Guild.

House Amendment(s): Makes a technical change to provide consistent references to "wine or beer" throughout the legislation.