Title: An act relating to efforts to promote the wine industry.

Brief Description: Concerning efforts to promote the wine industry.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Condotta, Linville, Kenney, Chase, Kessler, Conway, Holmquist, Morrell, Newhouse and Armstrong).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/10/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/23/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; Brown, Honeyford, Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: Washington's "tied house" law prohibits manufacturers and their trade associations from partnering with retailers to promote their businesses. Prohibited practices include joint advertising, such as brochures that name both non-retail licensees and retail licensees.

Summary of Bill: Domestic wineries and retail licensees may jointly produce brochures and material promoting tourism which contain information about domestic wineries, retailers, and their products. They also may identify wineries on privately labeled wines sold by spirits, beer, and wine restaurants and private clubs.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: The Legislature passed legislation two years ago dealing with this issue. Unfortunately, there was a technical glitch having to do with the placement of the wine label in that legislation and this bill will remedy that glitch.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Rep. Condotta, Prime Sponsor; Michael Transude, Washington Restaurant Association; Jean Leonard, Washington Wine Institute.