HB 1632 - DIGEST

Provides that licensees under RCW 66.24.360 may provide, free or for a charge, single-serving samples of two ounces or less, but no more than a total of eight ounces, to customers for the purpose of sales promotion if the licensees operate fully enclosed retail areas encompassing at least twenty thousand square feet. Sampling activities of licensees under this act are subject to RCW 66.28.010 and 66.28.040.

Requires the service area and facilities to be located within the licensee's fully enclosed retail area, and must be of a size and design such that the licensee can observe and control persons in the area to ensure that persons under twenty-one years of age and apparently intoxicated persons cannot possess or consume alcohol. Customers must remain in the service area while consuming samples.

Provides that domestic breweries, microbreweries, and certificate of approval holders may bear both the direct and the indirect costs of providing samples of their own brands of beer. Domestic wineries may bear only the indirect costs of providing samples of their own brands of wine.

Declares that, with respect to sampling activities under RCW 66.24.360 and 66.24.371, this act does not prohibit: (1) A domestic brewery, microbrewery, or certificate of approval holder from furnishing its own brands of beer to a licensee; or

(2) A domestic brewery, microbrewery, domestic winery, or certificate of approval holder from pouring or dispensing samples of its own brands of beer or wine for a licensee's customers. Such sampling activities, however, may occur no more than eight times per calendar year, no longer than two consecutive days, and no more frequently than once every four weeks.