HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1270

BYRepresentatives Vekich, Patrick, Walker, Cole, Leonard and Winsley

Providing an exception to the definition of sale for purposes of making a gift of liquor by private parties.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Patrick, Ranking Republican Member; Jones, R. King, Leonard, Prentice, Smith, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Joan Elgee (786-7166)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 3, 1989

BACKGROUND:

It is unlawful to sell liquor without a license or permit from the Liquor Control Board.  "Sell" is defined broadly to include supplying or distributing liquor, by any means whatsoever.  Therefore, it is technically unlawful to give liquor as a gift.

SUMMARY:

A person not licensed by the Liquor Control Board may give a reasonable amount of liquor to another person, also not licensed by the board, for personal use only.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 23, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board; and Bill Fritz, Anheuser- Busch.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The bill realistically addresses the gift issue.  Such practices as Christmas gifts of liquor should be permitted.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.