Charter - Background and Purpose

A charter will be approved by Task Force members and then posted after approval.

Background

The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) is responsible for controlling the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages in Washington State. The current regulatory system has been in place for over 70 years and is designed to meet several key policy goals:

• To foster temperance;
• To assure the controlled and orderly marketing of alcohol
• To promote the efficient collection of taxes

Market shifts throughout the industry, significant policy changes driven by recent court decisions and legislative direction, and shifts in public understanding and attitudes about the role of alcohol in our society are prompting a broad-based re-examination of the current regulatory system.

State policymakers, industry leaders, and public health and safety stakeholders are all considering whether changes to the state's current regulatory framework are needed. Since 2001 numerous bills have been introduced in the state legislature proposing to modify various aspects of the distribution of alcohol in our state.

On March 29, 2006, Governor Gregoire signed 2SSB 6823 into law. The bill includes a provision (Section 13) directing the WSLCB to convene a broad-based Task Force whose charge is to conduct a comprehensive review of the current regulatory system controlling the sale and distribution of beer and wine in Washington State and to recommend what, if any, changes should be made.

Purpose - 2SSB 6823 Actual Text

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. The liquor control board shall convene a task force to conduct a comprehensive review of the current regulatory system controlling the sale and distribution of beer and wine in Washington state. The board shall include stakeholders representing the producers, distributors, consumers, retailers, carriers, and legislators in conducting its review. The task force shall review the genesis of the current regulatory system and whether the system in its current configuration should continue. It shall identify key issues, concerns, and desired changes by stakeholders about the current system and shall identify alternatives or modifications to the current system. The task force shall also research and analyze the impacts and implications of this act, and other suggested modifications to the system on distributors, producers, retailers, and consumers. The task force shall make recommendations about any proposed changes to the system by December 15, 2006."