HB 1379-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Directs the board to, consistent with, and in addition to, the existing retail business plan, implement strategies to improve the efficiency of retail sales operations and maximize revenue-generating opportunities. Strategies to be implemented shall include, but are not limited to: (1) Expanding store operations to include Sunday sales in selected liquor stores. Sunday sales are optional for liquor vendors operating agency stores;

(2) Implementing a plan of in-store liquor merchandising, including point-of-sale advertising, and product specific point-of-sale promotional displays and carousels, including displays designed and provided by vendors; and

(3) Implementing a plan for in-store liquor merchandising of brands. The plan may not include provisions for selling liquor-related items other than those items previously authorized.

Provides that, by September 1, 2005, the board shall expand operations in at least twenty state-operated retail stores to include Sundays. The board shall select the stores that are expected to gross the most revenues on Sunday by considering factors including, but not limited to, population density, proximity to shopping centers, and proximity to other businesses that are open on Sunday. The selected stores shall be open for retail business a minimum of five hours on Sunday.

Requires the board to track gross sales and expenses of the selected stores and compare them to previous years' sales and projected sales and expenses before opening on Sunday. The board shall also examine the sales of state and contract liquor stores in proximity to those stores opened on Sundays to determine whether Sunday openings has reduced the sales of other state and contract liquor stores that are not open on Sundays. The board shall present this information to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature by January 31, 2007.

Provides that employees in state liquor stores, including agency vendor liquor stores, may not be required to work on their Sabbath for the purpose of selling liquor if doing so would violate their religious beliefs.

Repeals RCW 66.16.080.