SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5254

BYSenate Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Warnke, Tanner, Smitherman, West, Johnson, Newhouse, Bender, Bailey, Zimmerman, Lee, Garrett, Vognild and Moore)

Increasing penalties for the sale of liquor to minors.

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 21, 1987; January 26, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5254 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Anderson, Cantu, Lee, Sellar, Tanner, Vognild, West.

Senate Staff:Patrick Woods (786-7430)

                  April 9, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Currently, persons between the ages of 18 and 20 inclusive, who purchase or attempt to purchase liquor are subject to fines in the range of $25 to $100, or imprisonment in the county jail for 30 days, or both.

Individuals who transfer, in any manner, an identification to a minor for the purpose of purchasing liquor are guilty of a misdemeanor; a specific range of penalties is not provided.

The liquor statute does not currently address the commercial preparation of false identification for individuals under the age of 21 for the purposes of purchasing liquor.

SUMMARY:

The range of penalties for a person between the ages of 18 and 20 inclusive who purchases or attempts to purchase liquor is increased to:  a fine in the range of between $250 and $500, or no less than 25 hours of community service; or imprisonment in the county jail for 30 days; or any combination of the penalties.

The penalty provisions for persons transferring identification to minors for the purposes of purchasing liquor are set at, fines between $250 and $500, or no less than 25 hours of community service, or imprisonment in county jail for 30 days, or any combination of the penalties.

A person who, for economic gain or without proper authority, forges identification for a person under 21 for the purpose of purchasing liquor, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $2,500.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Bruce Roberts, Washington State Licensed Beverage Association; Bob Seeber, Restaurant Association; Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

The amendments make the penalty provisions of the act consistent with the maximum sentences for misdemeanors under the Washington criminal code.  The maximum jail term is increased from 30 days to 90 days.  The intent of the penalty provisions is clarified.