HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 5110
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 Reported by House Committee On:
Commerce & Labor
Title: An act relating to allowing wedding boutiques and art galleries to serve wine or beer to their customers who are twenty-one years of age or older.
Brief Description: Allowing wedding boutiques and art galleries to serve wine or beer to their customers who are twenty-one years of age or older.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford, Schoesler, McCaslin, Hewitt, Kohl-Welles, McDermott and Holmquist).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Commerce & Labor: 3/20/09, 3/27/09 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill (As Amended by House) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR |
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Crouse, Green, Moeller and Williams.
Staff: Kate Moeur White (786-5793) and Joan Elgee (786-7106)
Background:
The Liquor Control Board issues several different types of licenses and permits that allow an entity to serve and/or sell alcoholic beverages. There are specific exemptions that allow certain entities to offer and/or serve alcoholic beverages for no charge without a license and/or permit, including, for example, hospitals and nursing homes.
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Summary of Amended Bill:
Wedding boutiques and art galleries may offer one glass of wine or beer without charge to customers who are 21 years of age or older for on-premise consumption. The wine or beer served at wedding boutiques or art galleries must be purchased from a Washington licensed retailer, liquor store, or agency at full retail price.
Wedding boutiques and art galleries may not sell beer or wine or advertise the complimentary service of beer or wine. A wedding boutique or art gallery employee involved in serving beer or wine must complete a Liquor Control Board-approved limited alcohol server training program.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The amended bill makes a technical change to provide consistent references to "wine or beer" throughout the act.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill would allow wedding boutiques and art galleries to serve one glass of wine or beer to show customer appreciation. Employees serving the alcohol would be required to go through a training program approved by the Liquor Control Board. This bill will help small businesses. A number of art galleries may already be serving alcohol and this bill would help them be in compliance with the law.
(With concerns) Spas located in hotels that already have liquor licenses should be included in this bill and allowed to serve one glass of wine or beer to their customers. This bill exempts wedding boutiques and art galleries from liquor regulations so there is some concern that, if spas were included, more than 10,000 entities would be allowed to give alcohol to customers at no charge and the Liquor Control Board would not know who was allowed to do that.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Honeyford, prime sponsor; and Senator Kohl-Welles.
(With concerns) T.K. Bentler, Washington State Hotel and Lodging Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.