SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2371

As of February 21, 2014

Title: An act relating to the sale of beer by grocery store licensees.

Brief Description: Concerning the sale of beer by grocery store licensees.

Sponsors: House Committee on Government Accountability & Oversight (originally sponsored by Representatives Vick, Kirby, Rodne, Blake and Hurst).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/17/14, 77-20.

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 2/28/14.

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: A grocery store wine and beer license permits a grocery store to sell wine and beer in their original containers for off-premises consumption. Licensees must maintain an inventory of food products worth a minimum of $3,000. This does not include pop, beer, or wine.

Certain liquor licensees are eligible to obtain an endorsement from the Liquor Control Board (LCB) that allows them to sell beer in growlers. A growler is a container brought to the premises by a purchaser or provided by the licensee. It is filled at the tap at the time of purchase. Licensees eligible to obtain this endorsement include the following: domestic breweries; microbreweries; beer and wine retailers and specialty shops; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; and hotels.

Summary of Bill: If approved by LCB, a grocery store licensee may receive an endorsement to allow the sale of beer from a Pacific Northwest microbrewery, in a growler. The container must be filled at the tap at the time of sale by an

employee of the licensee holding a class 12 Mandatory Alcohol Server Training permit.

LCB is authorized to adopt rules to implement the grocery store license.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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