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House Finance hears wide-ranging testimony on bill directing a study of Washington’s alcohol tax system
Summary
A bill directing a Washington State Institute of Public Policy study of alcohol taxation drew support from distributors and retailers and opposition from wine and brewery trade groups concerned about industry impacts and study scope and cost.
Rochelle Harris and staff summarized Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5368, which directs a state research institution to study Washington’s system of alcohol taxation and produce a report by June 30, 2026. The bill asks for current and historical tax and fee rates, state sales and per‑capita measures, revenues by tax/fee type for the last five years, comparisons to other states and countries, and an analysis of a model in which tax rates are based solely on alcohol content (including estimated transition and administration costs and revenue-neutral rate estimates). The briefing noted the Washington State Department of Revenue and the Liquor and Cannabis Board would provide data; a fiscal note is available.
Representative Springer, the bill’s House sponsor, told the committee the measure responds…
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