Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Government Accountability & Oversight Committee

HB 1009

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Prohibits retailers from selling alcoholic beverages through a self-checkout machine or other automated system that enables a customer to make retail purchases with limited or no assistance from the retailer or an employee of the retailer.

Background:

It has become increasingly common for grocery stores and other retailers to utilize mechanical self-checkout systems that enable customers to complete retail transactions through integrated, automated scanning devices and payment systems. Such systems allow an unassisted customer to use a machine to scan the price of the item being purchased and then complete the transaction by credit card or cash via an automated payment device. Such systems are generally monitored by store personnel so as to enable customer assistance in the event a customer experiences difficulties with the system or a problem arises during the course of the transaction. In addition, many retailers either have employees to monitor transactions involving alcoholic beverages and/or automated systems to signal the attempted purchase of an alcoholic beverage. In such instances, the employee has the opportunity to approach the customer to verify that the customer has the identification necessary to show that he or she is of the legal age for the purchase of alcohol.

Presently, Washington state has no statutes regulating the use of such self-checkout systems with respect to the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

Summary of Bill:

Retailers are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages through a self-checkout machine or other automated system that enables a customer to make retail purchases with limited or no assistance from the retailer or an employee of the retailer.