Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Gaming Committee

HB 1457

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.

Brief Description: Authorizing sixteen and seventeen year old store employees to handle liquor.

Sponsors: Representatives Springer, Vick, Reykdal and Scott.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes employers holding grocery store and beer and/or wine specialty shop licenses issued by the Liquor Control Board to allow employees between 16 and 17 years of age to handle liquor for the sole purpose of providing direct assistance to an individual customer making a liquor purchase.

Hearing Date: 1/27/15

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

Employers holding grocery store or beer and/or wine specialty shop licenses from the Liquor Control Board may allow their employees between the ages of 18 and 21 to sell, stock, and handle liquor in or adjacent to the licensed premises, provided adult staff above 21 years of age are present in order to supervise the sale of liquor.

Employees under 21 years of age may make deliveries of beer and/or wine purchased from such licensees, provided delivery is made to cars of customers parked adjacent to such licensed premises and the underage employee is accompanied by the purchaser.

Summary of Bill:

Grocery store and beer and/or wine specialty shop licensees may allow employees between 16 and 17 years of age to handle liquor for the sole purpose of providing direct assistance to an individual customer making a liquor purchase. "Assistance" is defined to mean:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.