WA House COG - Committee Meeting
(February 25, 2020)

Tuesday February 25, 2020 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM Observed

The Washington State House Commerce and Gaming Committee (WA House COG) considers issues relating to the regulation of commerce in alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, as well as issues relating to the regulation and oversight of gaming, including tribal compacts.

Executive Sessions

SB 5006 - "Allowing the sale of wine by microbrewery license holders." (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: "Creating a new on-premises endorsement for domestic wineries and domestic breweries and microbreweries.").
SB 6035 - "Concerning liquor license employees."
SB 6057 - "Concerning price differentials in the sale of marijuana." (no action taken)
SB 6095 - "Describing permissible common carrier activities under the three-tier system." (If measure is referred to committee.)
SB 6206 - "Creating a certificate of compliance for marijuana business premises that meet the statutory qualifications at the time of application."
SB 6531 - "Concerning the performance of personal services by a craft distillery, distiller, or spirits certificate of approval holder." (If measure is referred to committee.)

https://app.leg.wa.gov/committeeschedules/Home/Documents/26763

Observations

Although the bill was scheduled for executive session during the WA House COG Tuesday committee meeting, SB 6057 was not moved.

On February 21st, SB 6057 (the “wholesale discounts” bill) was scheduled for executive session during the WA House COG Tuesday February 25th committee meeting.
After caucus at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting, Chair Strom Peterson announced the Committee was “holding” SB 6057 because members had “some questions” on the bill (audio - <1m, video).
On Wednesday, WA House COG canceled their only remaining committee meeting prior to the opposite house policy committee cutoff on Friday February 28th. At publication time, it appeared SB 6057 would not advance in the House.

SB 6206 was advanced during the WA House COG’s Tuesday February 25th committee meeting.

Prior to voting on SB 6206 lawmakers shared remarks on the bill.
- Chair Strom Peterson said members had “seen this one before” in the form of HB 2359 and designated the legislation “a very important bill, however, that our burgeoning cannabis industry entrepreneurs have a chance at opening up their businesses in a timely manner” (audio - <1m, video).
- Representative Brandon Vick, sponsor of HB 2359, called SB 6206 “obviously a good piece of legislation that helps the business owners really participate fully in the process” of licensing and siting of their retail stores (audio - 1m, video).
The Committee voted unanimously to advance SB 6206, with Vice Chair Shelly Kloba and Assistant Ranking Member Kelly Chambers excused. The bill was referred to the House Rules Committee (audio - <1, video).

Engagement Options

In-Person

O'Brien Building, 15th Avenue Southwest, Olympia, WA, USA

Livestream

https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2020021363