HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1563

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 Engrossed Bill

Adds certain on campus and field trip alcohol tastings to those eligible to receive the special permit from the Liquor and Cannabis Board that authorizes the tasting of alcoholic beverages by underage students enrolled in specified culinary or alcoholic beverage technology classes.
Allows domestic winery licensees to allow qualified intern volunteers to engage in wine-production work.

Background:

The Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) may issue a special permit to a community or technical college to allow certain students to lawfully taste alcohol. To qualify, students must be at least 18 years old and enrolled in a class that is part of a culinary, wine technology, beer technology, or spirituous technology-related degree program. The issuance of the permit requires that the following criteria be met:

the permit applicant must be a qualifying community or technical college student;
the alcohol is tasted but not consumed by the student;
the tasting of the alcohol is for the purpose of educational training as part of the class curriculum and is approved by the educational provider;
the service and tasting of alcoholic beverages is supervised by a faculty or staff member who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses the requisite alcohol server permit issued by the LCB; and
an enrolled student allowed to taste an alcoholic beverage is not permitted to purchase the alcoholic beverage.

The LCB must waive any otherwise applicable permit fees.

Summary of Engrossed Bill:

The events under which eligible community or technical colleges may receive the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) special permit, allowing the tasting of alcohol by underage students enrolled in specified culinary or alcoholic beverage technology classes, is expanded to include tastings that occur on: (1) the premises of the college or university at which the student is enrolled; and (2) field trips to grape-growing areas or production facilities. Students must be accompanied by a faculty or staff member who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses the requisite alcohol server permit issued by the LCB.

Domestic winery licensees are permitted to allow student interns, between the ages of 18 to 21, to engage in wine-production work that takes place on the domestic winery's premises. The student intern must be enrolled: (1) in an elective class that is part of a culinary, sommelier, wine business, enology, viticulture, wine, technology, beer technology, or spirituous technology-related degree program; and (2) at a community or technical college, regional university, or state university with a special permit. Licensees are solely responsible for any student intern violation that occurs on the domestic winery's premises.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill is good for students and will significantly enhance educational programs. It is difficult to know what you are making without tasting the wine. Students can not detect tobacco and gooseberry, or understand the difference between high and low acid, without tasting the wine. This bill will help us continue to grow the next generation of world class winemakers and growers.

Certain students between the ages of 18 and 20 are already allowed to taste, but not consume, wine in the classroom for appropriate academic disciplines. We have proven we can do this responsibly. The current law has been incredibly helpful for the success of students. Enrollment in these disciplines have trended younger to include more 18 to 21 year old students. The program has been an integral part of providing hands-on education and training necessary to produce skilled industry laborers with a focus on high quality wine growing.

The current law does not allow 18 to 21 year old students to work in wine production. This is a problem because the industry is experiencing a labor shortage. Educational programs also have an internship component, which will prevent students who have invested in the program from graduating. This could prevent future wine industry laborers from entering the industry.

(Opposed) None.