CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT
HOUSE BILL 1730
Chapter 158, Laws of 2023
(partial veto)
68TH LEGISLATURE
2023 REGULAR SESSION
LIQUOR LICENSEES—EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS AGED 18, 19, AND 20
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 23, 2023
Passed by the House March 8, 2023
  Yeas 84  Nays 13
LAURIE JINKINS

Speaker of the House of Representatives
Passed by the Senate April 7, 2023
  Yeas 44  Nays 4
DENNY HECK

President of the Senate
CERTIFICATE
I, Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is HOUSE BILL 1730 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.
BERNARD DEAN

Chief Clerk
Chief Clerk
Approved April 20, 2023 2:58 PM with the exception of section 3, which is vetoed.
FILED
April 21, 2023
JAY INSLEE

Governor of the State of Washington
Secretary of State
State of Washington

HOUSE BILL 1730

Passed Legislature - 2023 Regular Session
State of Washington
68th Legislature
2023 Regular Session
ByRepresentatives Waters, Stonier, Klicker, Low, Couture, Chambers, Ybarra, Barnard, Schmidt, Street, McClintock, Walen, Hutchins, Caldier, and Cheney
Read first time 02/02/23.Referred to Committee on Regulated Substances & Gaming.
AN ACT Relating to allowing youth ages 18 and older to work in establishments traditionally classified as off-limits to persons under the age of 21 in certain specific and limited circumstances; amending RCW 66.44.316; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the COVID-19 pandemic created extreme labor shortages in certain industries, especially in the food service and hospitality industry.
(2) The legislature further finds that establishments traditionally classified as off-limits to persons under the age of 21 have experienced even greater labor challenges in occupations that do not involve the serving of alcohol or interacting with patrons, such as dishwashers, sanitation specialists, line cooks, prep cooks, fry cooks, and chefs.
(3) The legislature further finds that these occupations are critical entry-level jobs that help youth develop strong skills that translate into success in other workplaces and occupations later in life.
(4) Therefore, the legislature intends to allow, under specific and limited circumstances, youth between the ages of 18 to 21 to be employed in establishments traditionally classified as off-limits to persons under the age of 21.
Sec. 2. RCW 66.44.316 and 1985 c 323 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) It is lawful for:
(((1)))(a) Professional musicians, professional disc jockeys, or professional sound or lighting technicians actively engaged in support of professional musicians or professional disc jockeys, ((eighteen))18 years of age and older, to enter and to remain in any premises licensed under the provisions of ((Title 66 RCW))this title, but only during and in the course of their employment as musicians, disc jockeys, or sound or lighting technicians;
(((2)))(b) Persons ((eighteen))18 years of age and older performing janitorial services to enter and remain on premises licensed under the provisions of ((Title 66 RCW))this title when the premises are closed but only during and in the course of their performance of janitorial services;
(((3)))(c) Employees of amusement device companies, which employees are ((eighteen))18 years of age or older, to enter and to remain in any premises licensed under the provisions of ((Title 66 RCW))this title, but only during and in the course of their employment for the purpose of installing, maintaining, repairing, or removing an amusement device. For the purposes of this section amusement device means coin-operated video games, pinball machines, juke boxes, or other similar devices; ((and
(4)))(d) Security and law enforcement officers, and firefighters ((eighteen))18 years of age or older to enter and to remain in any premises licensed under ((Title 66 RCW))this title, but only during and in the course of their official duties and only if they are not the direct employees of the licensee. However, the application of ((the [this]))this subsection to security officers is limited to casual, isolated incidents arising in the course of their duties and does not extend to continuous or frequent entering or remaining in any licensed premises; and
(e) Persons 18 years of age and older performing services unrelated to the sale or service of alcohol to enter and remain on premises licensed under this title, but only during and in the course of their employment as a dishwasher, cook, chef, sanitation specialist, or other kitchen staff and only under the following conditions:
(i) The individual may not perform any services or work in the bar, lounge, or dining area of the licensed premises;
(ii) The individual may not serve food, drinks, or otherwise interact with the patrons of the licensee;
(iii) The individual may never be in possession of or consume alcohol at any time; and
(iv) The licensee must ensure that a supervisor, who is at least 21 years of age, is present at all times that an individual employed under this section is working.
(2) This section shall not be construed as permitting the sale or distribution of any alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of ((twenty-one))21 years.
*NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
*Sec. 3 was vetoed. See message at end of chapter.
Passed by the House March 8, 2023.
Passed by the Senate April 7, 2023.
Approved by the Governor April 20, 2023, with the exception of certain items that were vetoed.
Filed in Office of Secretary of State April 21, 2023.
Note: Governor's explanation of partial veto is as follows:
"I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Section 3, House Bill No. 1730 entitled:
"AN ACT Relating to allowing youth ages 18 and older to work in establishments traditionally classified as off-limits to persons under the age of 21 in certain specific and limited circumstances."
This bill would make permanent certain temporary emergency provisions adopted in response to the COVID pandemic, but those emergency provisions lapsed in September of 2022. Section 3 is an emergency clause, which would make this bill effective immediately. This legislation is not necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions.
For these reasons I have vetoed Section 3 of House Bill No. 1730.
With the exception of Section 3, House Bill No. 1730 is approved."
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