HB 1349

HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1349

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to sale by spirit, beer, and wine licensees of malt liquor in containers that are capable of holding four gallons or more and are registered in accordance with RCW 66.28.200.

Brief Description: Authorizing the sale by spirit, beer, and wine licensees of malt liquor in containers that are capable of holding four gallons or more and are registered in accordance with RCW 66.28.200.

Sponsors: By Representatives Condotta and Wood.

Brief History:

Commerce & Labor: 2/23/07, 2/26/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/9/07, 97-0.
Passed Senate: 4/3/07, 47-0.
Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

Allows restaurants holding a spirits, beer, and wine license to sell kegs of malt liquor.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Green, Moeller and Williams.

Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).

Background:

The Liquor Control Board (Board) issues a number of types of liquor licenses. These include licenses for spirits, beer, and wine restaurants, beer and/or wine restaurants, taverns, grocery stores, and beer and/or wine specialty shops. Kegs (or other containers holding four gallons or more) of malt liquor may be sold by the following licensees:

Beer and/or wine restaurants and taverns: Requires additional license. Allows containers holding four gallons or more.
Grocery stores: Requires an endorsement issued by the Board. Containers must be smaller than five and one-half gallons.
Beer and/or wine specialty shops: Requires an endorsement from the Board. Containers must be smaller than five and one-half gallons.

Under keg registration requirements, sellers and purchasers of kegs or other large containers must follow certain procedures. The seller and purchaser must complete a registration form with information about the purchaser's identity and the address where the keg will be located or consumed. Copies of the registration must be provided to the purchaser, kept by the seller, and be posted near the container. The purchaser must affirm that he or she: (1) is at least 21 years old; (2) will not tamper with the registration form; and (3) will not provide alcohol to a minor. Identification must be placed on the containers for purposes of tracing the purchasers.

Summary of Bill:

With an endorsement from the Board, spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licensees may sell malt liquor in kegs or other containers capable of holding four or more gallons. The restaurants must meet the same keg registration requirements as other establishments.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill has been around and we hope we can move it forward. Several restaurants lost the privilege of selling kegs when they converted up from a beer and/or wine license to a spirits, beer, and wine license. This bill corrects that. The restaurants would have to have a large cooler and would still have to comply with all the registration requirements.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Condotta, prime sponsor; and Michael Transue, Washington Restaurant Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.