WASAVP testifies about alcohol-related bills

Another legislative session is well on its way and, as in previous years, many bills have been introduced to further deregulate alcohol in our state.  Yesterday, the Washington Senate Labor and Commerce Committee met and discussed multiple alcohol-related bills (listed below) and WASAVP provided testimony.



SB 5045: Allowing day spas to offer or supply without charge wine or beer by the individual glass to a customer for consumption on the premises.

SB 5111: Creating a beer and wine theater license. (Hearing is on the Proposed Substitute.)

SB 5607: Concerning beer, wine, and spirits theater licenses.

SB 5238: Concerning recommendations for streamlining reporting requirements for taxes and fees on spirits.

SB 5261: Prohibiting certain liquor self-checkout machines.

SB 5303: Concerning the identification of wineries, breweries, and microbreweries on private labels.

SB 5310: Creating a senior center license.

SB 5396: Concerning limited on-premise spirits sampling.

SB 5517: Changing the criteria for the beer and wine tasting endorsement for grocery stores.

SB 5628: Allowing multiple liquor licenses at the same physical premises.

SB 5674: Allowing wine and beer sampling at farmers markets.

To find more information about a specific bill, go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo.  

Legislature considering multiple alcohol-related bills

As a recent Spokesman-Review blog post notes, "Getting a drink of alcohol in a movie theater, a farmer's market, even a senior center or a massage (spa), would be easier under a series of proposals considered Monday by a Senate panel."   

After describing the proposed bills, the post goes on to quote two WASAVP Board members.

"Having a glass of wine after a massage, then getting in a car and driving sounded like a really bad idea to Mary Ellen Dela Pena of the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention.  Many of the proposals would expand the need of the already stretched thin Liquor Control Board to do 'compliance checks', to make sure these new locations were following laws on not over serving or allowing minors to be present, she added."

"There's a creep in society about the number of localities where alcohol is served," Derrick Franklin, president of the association, said.  That means fewer and fewer locations where children can go and not be exposed to alcohol consumption." 

A list of proposed bills related to alcohol and other drugs is available on the WASAVP website.

Rainier adopts state's second social host law

Earlier this week, the City Council in Rainier, a city southeast of Olympia, passed the state's second social host law.  The goal of the new ordinance is to curb underage drinking.

If an underage gathering involves alcohol, the ordinance will hold responsible the person who owns, rents, leases or controls the property where the party happened.  Those held liable will face civil repercussions including fines. 

Social host laws are one tool that communities can use to reduce underage alcohol use.  The ordinance encourages parents and property owners to work together to prevent underage drinking.  "This isn't just about enforcement, it's about educating our community that there is never a safe time for minors to consume alcohol," said Rainier Mayor Randy Schleis. 

Mercer Island was the first Washington community to pass a social host ordinance.  The first citation was given and the fine was paid earlier this year.

Liquor Control Board public hearing about I-1183 Responsible Vendor Program

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB) is asking for public comment regarding soon-to-expire emergency rules regarding the Responsible Vendor Program (RVP) at an April 25 public hearing.

I-1183 mandates the creation of a RVP and the LCB created one under an emergency rule which is now set to expire on May 25. So, the LCB is holding a public hearing to get input on creating permanent rules for a RVP in Washington.

This is an important opportunity to let your prevention voice be heard and weigh-in on aspects of retail alcohol sales rules that have a direct impact on preventing youth access to alcohol and other public health and safety issues in communities across Washington.

Click here for the LCB announcement. Comments can be emailed to the LCB until April 25 at rules@liq.wa.gov.

Youth substance abuse prevention advocates may ask the LCB to strengthen the RVP by:

-- banning the display of alcohol products in areas that contain products likely to be purchased by youth such as sodas, snack foods and energy drinks;

-- banning the display of youth-oriented advertising for alcohol products;

-- banning spirits sampling in stores;

-- banning self check-out of all alcohol products to preventing youth from avoiding identification checks;

-- requiring alcohol products to be placed away from doors to prevent shoplifting;

-- requiring that only employees 21 years and older be able to sell alcohol.

CDC experts advocate for strong alcohol regulations

This powerful presentation by experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explores the public health impact of excessive alcohol use (binge drinking) and evidence-based strategies to prevent it, with specific attention to the role public policies play in addressing this important public health problem.

Washington State is specifically mentioned during the Q & A session at the end of the presentation.  Experts note that with the passage of I-1183, it is estimated that there will be a 43% increase in per capita consumption of liquor.  The privatization of liquor sales is expected to increase binge drinking and associated harms, such as crime and DUI, in our state.

I-1183 Stakeholders Forum March 13

Prevention advocates are invited to a:

Public Health and Safety Stakeholder Forum on the implementation of 1183
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
10am to 12noon
WSLCB Headquarters, 3000 Pacific Ave. SE, Olympia, WA.

It is important that WASAVP and prevention advocates "pack the room" and help the conversation focus on mitigating the harm 1183 is poised to inflict on our kids and communities. Below is cut from the invitation email:

"In the next few months you will see many changes in how spirits (hard alcohol) are distributed and sold in the State of Washington as a result of the passage of Initiative 1183. There will also be changes in licensing and regulation. 

We realize there are many questions regarding what this all means for your communities in terms of public health and safety. For instance, how might the changes impact underage drinking, access to alcohol, enforcement of liquor laws, etc.? 

Senior staff will be available to answer questions. We hope you will take this opportunity to become better informed."

The invitation is from Sharon Foster, LCB and Michael Langer, DBHR--a big "thank you" to them for this opportunity for public dialogue.

ACTION NEEDED:

1. Let's mobilize and "pack the room" at LCB with prevention advocates.

2. Send questions in advance to Samantha Trotter at st@liq.wa.gov. (Please also cc: your questions to the WASAVP Board at action@wasavp.org as we are working to coordinate questions to insure all pertinent issues and concerns are submitted.)

3. If you would like to take advantage of a call-in option, please e-mail Trotter at st@liq.wa.gov, and you will receive instructions with a call-in number.