SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1270

BYRepresentatives Vekich, Patrick, Walker, Cole, Leonard and Winsley

Providing an exception to the definition of sale for purposes of making a gift of liquor by private parties.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989; March 21, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; McMullen, Murray, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Charles A. Woods (786-7452)

                  March 21, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, MARCH 21, 1989

BACKGROUND:

It is unlawful to sell liquor without a license or permit from the Liquor Control Board.  "Sell" is defined broadly to include supplying or distributing liquor, by any means whatsoever.  Therefore, it is technically unlawful to give liquor as a gift.

SUMMARY:

A person not licensed by the Liquor Control Board may give a reasonable amount of liquor to another person, also not licensed by the board, for personal use only.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The indefinite phrase "reasonable amount of" is removed from the gift exclusion.  Gifts of liquor must be purchased from retailers licensed by the Liquor Control Board.

Senate Committee - Testified: FOR:  Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board; Victoria Chiechi, Washington Wine Institute; Sharon Foster, Wine Institute of California; Steve Wehrly, Miller Brewing Company