FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 2584
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. |
C 178 L 16
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Concerning public disclosure of information submitted to the liquor and cannabis board regarding marijuana product traceability and operations.
Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Gaming (originally sponsored by Representatives Vick, Van De Wege, Blake, Harris and Tarleton).
House Committee on Commerce & Gaming
Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor
Background:
Public Records Act.
The Public Records Act (PRA) requires state and local agencies to make their written records available to the public for inspection and copying upon request, unless the information fits into one of the various specified exemptions in the PRA or as otherwise provided in state law. The stated policy of the PRA favors disclosure and requires narrow application of the listed exemptions. The statutory exemptions from the disclosures required under the PRA include: (1) commercial and proprietary information regarding formulas, designs, computer source code, and research data if disclosure of such information would cause private gain and public loss; and (2) specified types of private financial, technical, and commercial information obtained by state agencies in the course of regulating the activities of private entities or persons.
Liquor and Cannabis Board: Regulation of Commerce in Marijuana Products.
The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is the state regulatory entity responsible for the continuing oversight over the commercial practices and conduct of licensed marijuana producers, processors, and retailers. The regulatory powers of the LCB include rule-making authority with respect to licensing and general oversight of the legal marijuana marketplace.
The LCB issues three categories of commercial marijuana licenses: (1) the marijuana producer's license entitles the holder to produce marijuana for sale at wholesale to licensed marijuana processors or other producers; (2) the marijuana processor's license entitles the holder to process, package, and label marijuana for sale at wholesale to marijuana retailers and other processors; and (3) the marijuana retailer's license entitles the holder to sell marijuana products at retail prices in retail outlets.
The LCB requires commercial marijuana licensees and license applicants to provide a wide range of information, including information regarding:
business operations and practices;
financial records;
methods of producing, processing, and packaging marijuana products;
the design and characteristics of commercial facilities;
the security of commercial marijuana facilities and transportation methods; and
practices regarding monitoring product inventories and the flow of marijuana products, from initial production to retail sale.
Summary:
Specified categories of information obtained by the LCB in regulating marijuana commerce are exempted from disclosure under the PRA. The information subject to the exemption includes information pertaining to financial institutions, retirement accounts, building security plans, marijuana transportation, vehicle and driver identification data, and account numbers or unique access identifiers issued to private entities for traceability system access.
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 89 | 8 | |
Senate | 43 | 4 |
Effective: | June 9, 2016 |