HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5774
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. |
As Passed House:
April 9, 2013
Title: An act relating to authorizing applications for a special permit to allow alcohol tasting by persons at least eighteen years of age under certain circumstances.
Brief Description: Authorizing applications for a special permit to allow alcohol tasting by persons at least eighteen years of age under certain circumstances.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Hewitt, Holmquist Newbry, McAuliffe, Bailey, Keiser, Conway, Schoesler, Kohl-Welles, Mullet and Kline).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Government Accountability & Oversight: 3/21/13 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 4/9/13, 89-4.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & OVERSIGHT |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Hurst, Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Kirby, Moscoso, Shea and Smith.
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).
Background:
Students who are under 21 years old and enrolled in a culinary, wine technology, beer technology, or spirituous technology-related degree program cannot taste alcoholic beverages as part of their course work, as it is unlawful for a person under the age of 21 years to possess, consume, or otherwise acquire liquor. Additionally, it is unlawful for any person to give or supply liquor to anyone under the age of 21, or to allow them to consume liquor on premises under his or her control.
The Liquor Control Board (LCB) issues a variety of licenses and special permits for selling, serving, and handling alcohol. For example, special permits are issued to allow for the consumption of liquor at banquets and to allow a manufacturer or distributor to donate liquor to delegates and guests at conventions and international trade fairs. Unless a fee is specified in statute, the fees for permits are generally established by the LCB.
Summary of Bill:
The LCB is authorized to issue a special permit to a community or technical college to allow students who are at least 18 years old, yet still under age 21, and enrolled in a class that is part of a culinary, wine technology, beer technology, or spirituous technology-related degree program, to lawfully taste alcohol provided the following criteria are met:
the permit applicant must be a qualifying community or technical college;
the alcohol is tasted but not consumed by the student;
the tasting of the alcohol is for the purpose of educational training as part of the class curriculum and is approved by the educational provider;
the service and tasting of alcoholic beverages is supervised by a faculty or staff member who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses the requisite alcohol servers permit issued by the LCB; and
an enrolled student permitted to taste an alcoholic beverage under this act may not purchase the alcoholic beverage.
The LCB is required to waive any permit fees that might otherwise be applicable.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
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) The bill authorizes the LCB to issue permits allowing 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds to taste, but not consume, alcohol products as part of the teaching curriculum at community and technical colleges. This bill is very important to the wine industry and the educational institutions that support it. Passage of the bill would greatly benefit community and technical colleges and enhance the educational value of the programs they offer. Limiting the tasting of alcohol products to those 21 and over effectively prohibits the tasting of alcohol products by most students and undermines the value of the beer, wine, and spiritous technology programs currently offered. Washington is a leader in wine technology education and this legislation is needed to keep it this way. Walla Walla Community College and South Seattle Community College already have excellent technical degree programs in place that need legal authorization to allow students to engage in the tasting of liquor products.
(In support with concerns) This bill should be amended to include four-year colleges and universities. Currently, these four-year institutions have no legal authorization to allow spiritous liquor tasting as part their programs, nor does the bill apply to culinary programs at four-year institutions. Passage of this bill would enhance the growth of the beer and wine industry in this state.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Dan Fazio, Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Foundation.
(In support with concerns) Triston Hannon, Associated Students of Washington State University.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.