BILL REQ. #:  H-0948.1 

Read first time 01/20/09.   Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

     AN ACT Relating to sales of wine at the legislative gift center; adding new sections to chapter 44.73 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 66.12 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the production of wine grapes in the state is an important segment of Washington agriculture as evidenced by the continued investments made by the state in developing the wine industry, including the creation of viticulture and enology programs at Washington State University. The legislature further finds that the promotion and sale of Washington wine at the legislative gift center is harmonious with the purpose of the gift center, which is to promote the state and the goods produced around the state. Therefore, the legislature intends to allow the legislative gift center to sell wine produced in Washington to visitors of legal drinking age.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 66.12 RCW to read as follows:
     Nothing in this title shall apply to or prevent the legislative gift center created in chapter 44.73 RCW from selling at retail for off-premises consumption wine produced in Washington by a licensed domestic winery.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The legislative gift center is authorized to sell at retail for off-premises consumption wine produced in Washington by a licensed domestic winery. Wine sold by the legislative gift center must: (1) Be sold to individuals twenty-one years of age or older; (2) be sold for personal use and not for resale; and (3) have been purchased from a licensed wine distributor or from a manufacturer authorized to distribute wine of its own production.
     The legislative gift center must collect and remit to the department of revenue all applicable state and local taxes on sales of wine.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Sections 1 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 44.73 RCW.