S-4338.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6812

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Senator Prentice

Read first time 02/01/2000.  Referred to Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions.

Allowing contract brewing by domestic brewers.

    AN ACT Relating to contract brewing by domestic brewers; and amending RCW 66.24.261.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 66.24.261 and 1997 c 321 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

    There shall be a license for beer importers that authorizes the licensee to import beer manufactured within the United States by certificate of approval holders (B5) into the state of Washington.  The licensee may also contract with and purchase beer from a domestic brewery in the state of Washington.  The licensee may also import beer manufactured outside the United States.

    (1) Beer so imported ((may)) or purchased must be sold to licensed beer distributors or exported from the state.

    (2) Every person, firm, or corporation licensed as a beer importer shall establish and maintain a principal office within the state at which shall be kept proper records of all beer imported into the state under this license.

    (3) No beer importer's license shall be granted to a nonresident of the state nor to a corporation whose principal place of business is outside the state until such applicant has established a principal office and agent within the state upon which service can be made.

    (4) As a requirement for license approval, a beer importer shall enter into a written agreement with the board to furnish on or before the twentieth day of each month, a report under oath, detailing the quantity of beer sold or delivered to each licensed beer distributor.  Failure to file such reports may result in the suspension or cancellation of this license.

    (5) Beer imported or purchased under this license must conform to the provisions of RCW 66.28.120 and have received label approval from the board.  The board shall not certify beer labeled with names which may be confused with other nonalcoholic beverages whether manufactured or produced from a domestic brewery or imported nor beer which fails to meet quality standards established by the board.

    (6) The license fee shall be one hundred sixty dollars per year.

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