Virtual Listen and Learn Forum: Student Tastings and Permits Draft Conceptual Rules

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is hosting a virtual Listen and Learn forum regarding student tastings and permits, specifically considering revisions to implement Engrossed House Bill (EHB) 1563 (Chapter 112, Laws of 2019) and to update language in the permits chapter 314-38 WAC. The draft conceptual rules are provided here.

We welcome your feedback on these draft conceptual rules and hope you can join us virtually on Thursday, September 3, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. via Webex.

The preproposal statement of inquiry (CR 101) filed as WSR 19-12-037 on May 29, 2019, may be found here, or at lcb.wa.gov/laws/laws-and-rules under Proposed Rules. For background, the WSLCB may issue special permits under RCW 66.20.010 to certain entities to purchase, use, donate, or undertake other activities involving liquor, including issuing a special permit to certain colleges or universities to allow students who are at least eighteen years of age to lawfully taste alcohol under the conditions specified in RCW 66.20.010(12). EHB 1563, which went into effect on July 28, 2019, amended the special permit for student tastings to allow an enrolled student who is at least eighteen years of age to taste alcoholic beverages while on the premises of the college or university at which the student is enrolled, or while on a field trip to a grape-growing area or production facility, as long as the enrolled student is accompanied and supervised by a faculty or staff member with a mandatory alcohol server permit.

Please come prepared to offer feedback and suggestions regarding revisions to implement EHB 1563 and to update language in the permits chapter 314-38 WAC. An agenda is attached to help you prepare.

If you wish to join us virtually, we’d like to offer the following reminders: 

• Virtual participation will be structured to allow one speaker at a time though a hand-raising feature on WebEx. (Please de-select the “Raise Hand” button when you are done speaking.)
• To improve audio quality for all participants, please remain on mute unless you are speaking.
• If you experience difficulty with audio or visual elements of virtual participation, we understand how frustrating this can be—please be patient, and if possible, try a different method of connecting to WebEx. (For example, if you are connecting via a web browser and experiencing difficulties, try joining WebEx using the phone call-in number, or vice versa.)

Please remember that we are still in the CR 101 developmental phase of rulemaking. Rules have not yet been formally proposed or finalized. To help you prepare for this Listen and Learn forum, please review the guidance document prepared for this and future forums.

Questions? Contact Audrey Vasek at audrey.vasek@lcb.wa.gov

To join the WebEx Event online:

https://watech.webex.com/watech/onstage/g.php?MTID=e6708aa8c2a37a14d2332e70167e0e085

Event number: 133 002 5765

Event password: zBQnveWy673

To attend by phone:

Toll: 1-415-655-0001/ Toll Free: 1-855-929-3239/ Access code: 133 002 5765