SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1004

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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Labor, March 25, 2015

Title: An act relating to alcohol tasting by students under twenty-one years of age.

Brief Description: Clarifying provisions that allow for the tasting of alcohol by students under twenty-one years of age.

Sponsors: Representatives Springer, Manweller, Moeller, Walsh, Blake, Buys, Reykdal, Wilcox, Condotta, Fey, Gregerson and Sawyer.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/04/15, 94-4.

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 3/20/15, 3/25/15 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Hasegawa, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Keiser, King and Warnick.

Staff: Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background: A community or technical college with a culinary, wine, beer, or spirits technology related degree program may apply for a special permit from the Liquor Control Board (LCB). This special permit allows students enrolled in a culinary, beer, wine, or spirits technology program who are at least 18 years of age to taste but not consume alcoholic beverages. Service of the alcoholic beverage must be supervised by a faculty or staff member who is at least 21 years of age and who possesses a mandatory alcohol server permit. The special permit fee is waived by LCB.

Viticulture and enology degree programs generally offer students the opportunity to study and research wine-grape growing and winemaking. Viticulture is the science, production, and study of grapes and their culture. Enology is the science and study of all aspects of wine and winemaking except vine growing and grape harvesting. The term sommelier is generally used to describe a restaurant employee who has extensive knowledge regarding wines and who orders and maintains the wines sold in the restaurant.

Summary of Bill: The types of degree programs eligible for the special alcohol tasting permit are expanded beyond the culinary, beer, wine, and spirits technology programs to include sommelier, wine business, enology, and viticulture degree programs.

In addition to community and technical colleges, regional or state universities may apply for the special educational permit from LCB.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.

Persons Testifying: No one.

Persons Signed in to Testify But Not Testifying:  No one.