SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6136
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 of January 24, 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: Senators Kohl-Welles, Braun and Kline.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 1/24/14.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR |
Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)
Background: A grocery store wine and/or 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: A grocery store wine and/or beer licensee is eligible to obtain an endorsement from LCB permitting the sale of beer in a container brought to the premises by the purchaser, or provided by the licensee, and filled at the tap by the licensee at the time of sale.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
[OFM requested ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Our members want to be able to do this. This may solve the problem for our members who had to choose between getting this endorsement and being able to accept payment by electronic benefit transfer.
CON: Because of the lack of a labeling requirement we believe this may increase access by minors. This has the potential to affect 5000 grocery stores across the state.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Amy Brackenbury, WA Food Industry Assn.; TK Bentler, WA Assn. of Neighborhood Stores.
CON: Justin Nordhorn, LCB.