Title: An act relating to the relationship between liquor manufacturers, importers, or distributors and nonprofit organizations holding a liquor license.

Brief Description: Regulating the sale of wine by a society or organization.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen and Honeyford.

Brief History:

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6838 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; Hewitt, Honeyford, Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: Generally, no manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative may have any direct or indirect financial interest in any retail business with a liquor license. No manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative may advance money to a licensee.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Until June 30, 2007, a statewide nonprofit organization of microbreweries may hold a special occasion liquor license to conduct up to six beer festivals

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original language is struck and replaced with the provision that allows a statewide nonprofit organization of microbreweries to hold up to 6 beer festivals.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: A number of beer festivals are held during the yeat as a way to raise money for the Guild. The Guild used to be able to obtain a special occasion liquor permit to hold these festivals but some changes in the law last year took away their ability to do that. The Beer Commission legislation that is being worked on this year and will address this issue permanently will not go into effect for one year This bill is needed to grant the Guild and others the ability to conduct these festivals for that one year period.

Testimony Against: None.

Testimony Other: The LCB worked with the Guild to come up with legislation that will work for them.

Who Testified: PRO: TK Bentler, Washington Brewer's Guild; Janelle Pritchard, Washington Brewer's Guild; George Hancock, Washington Brewer's Guild.

OTHER: Rick Garza, LCB.