HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5560
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 & Gaming
Title: An act relating to creating a special permit for certain wine auctions.
Brief Description: Creating a special permit for certain wine auctions.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce, Labor & Sports (originally sponsored by Senators Brown, Palumbo and Walsh).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Commerce & Gaming: 3/13/17, 3/14/17 [DP].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & GAMING |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Sawyer, Chair; Kloba, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Vick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barkis, Blake, Farrell, Jenkin, Kirby and Ryu.
Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).
Background:
Special Permits Issued by the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) is authorized to issue a variety of special permits and licenses for selling, serving, and handling alcohol at specified events or to persons or entities that do not hold a liquor license. Nonprofit organizations are among the entities eligible for such special permits and licenses.
Special Occasion Liquor Licenses.
A nonprofit organization that obtains a special occasion liquor license from the LCB may sell spirits, beer, and wine by the individual glass to be consumed on the premises. This license permits the licensee to serve liquor at a specified event, on a specified date and place. The holder of this license may also sell wine in original, unopened containers for consumption on the premises, if prior permission is obtained from the LCB.
A domestic winery may sell wine of its own production at a nonprofit organization's licensed special occasion event.
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Summary of Bill:
The LCB is authorized to issue a special permit to a nonprofit organization allowing the organization to sell wine through a private auction. The permit holder may conduct wine tastings at the auction, provided the wine offered for tasting is the same as that being auctioned. The permit is for a single event to be held at a specific time and in a specific place.
The wine offered for auction may be sourced from multiple wineries, and the permit application must identify each winery participating in the auction. The total fee for a permitted auction event is $25 multiplied by the number of wineries that are selling wine at the event.
The LCB may adopt rules to implement this special permitting process.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available
Effective Date: 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 is a companion to House Bill 1718. Currently, there is not a quick and efficient way for charities and nonprofit organizations that conduct private wine events to obtain the necessary approval from the LCB. It can take several months for charities and nonprofit organizations to complete the several permits that are required. This would simplify and streamline that permitting process, benefit charities and nonprofits in their fundraising activities, and help promote Washington wines. The fee for a permit under this bill is $25 per winery. The LCB recommended to stakeholders that the fee for the permit be $25 per winery, rather than $27 per winery as is in the House companion bill.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Josh McDonald, Washington Wine Institute.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.