HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2508

BYRepresentatives Vekich, Smith, Cole, Beck, Jones, Ferguson, Jacobsen and Holland

Revising provisions for pasteurization in relation to licenses for the sale of beer.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Republican Member; Forner, Jones, R. King, Leonard, Prentice, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Jim Kelley (786-7166)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 6, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The statutes providing for Class A, B, D, and E beer retailer licenses distinguish between "pasteurized beer" and "unpasteurized beer" and between beer to be consumed on premises and beer to be consumed off premises.

Class A and Class B beer retailer licensees may sell beer for consumption on the premises and sell unpasteurized beer, in original sealed packages of the manufacturer or bottler or in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser and filled at the tap by the retailer, for consumption off premises. A Class A license may be issued only to hotels, restaurants, drug stores or soda fountains, dining places on boats and airplanes, clubs, and sports arenas or race tracks during recognized professional athletic events.  A Class B license may only be issued to taverns.

Class D beer retailer licensees may sell pasteurized beer by the opened bottle for consumption on premises.  Class D licenses may only be issued to businesses where the sale of beer is not the principal business conducted.

Class E beer retailer licensees may sell pasteurized beer in bottles and original packages to be consumed off premises.

SUMMARY:

In the statutes providing for Class A, B, D, and E beer retailer licenses, all references to "pasteurized beer" and "unpasteurized beer" are stricken.  No distinction is made between pasteurized and unpasteurized beer for purposes of licensing.  The distinction remains between beer to be consumed on premises and beer to be consumed off premises.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Steve Wehrly, Miller Brewing Company; Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board (no objection to bill).

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Removes archaic language from the statute.  There is no health hazard associated with unpasteurized beer.  Additionally, this section of the code does not regulate health and purity standards.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.