Brief Description: Authorizing the Washington beer commission to receive gifts, grants, and endowments.

Sponsors: By House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives P. Sullivan, Newhouse, B. Sullivan and Santos).

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs
Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development

Background:

In 2006 legislation was enacted to establish the Washington Beer Commission (Commission). Creation of the Commission was contingent upon approval of the affected producers who are Washington-licensed brewers producing less than 100,000 barrels annually. A vote of the affected licensed craft breweries was held in the fall of 2006 in favor of creating the Commission.

The Commission promotes and conducts research on Washington-produced beer with oversight by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. To fund its activities, the Commission is authorized to assess producers a fee of 10 cents per barrel produced and to sell beer at beer festivals.

Summary:

The Commission may accept gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources for the use and benefit of the purposes of the Commission. Expenditures must be made according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments. This provision ends July 1, 2009.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   89   0
Senate   49   0

Effective: July 22, 2007