Citizen Portal
Sign In

Committee weighs bonded beer warehouse license amid federal and access concerns

Consumer Protection & Business Committee · January 21, 2026

Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts

Subscribe
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

HB 22‑07 would create a bonded beer warehouse license to permit breweries off‑premise storage and handling; supporters cite parity with wineries and small‑business relief, while distributors and federal‑regulatory commenters warned about TTB constraints and direct‑to‑consumer risks.

The Consumer Protection & Business Committee heard House Bill 22‑07 on Jan. 21, a bill proposing a bonded beer warehouse license to authorize breweries and beer distributors to store and handle beer off their production premises. Committee staff Peter Clodfelter outlined the proposal’s mechanics, including a $150 annual fee (with waiver provisions), federal permit requirements, a continuing beer‑tax bond, and LCB rulemaking on security, zoning and separation from other uses.

Representative Stephanie McClintock, prime sponsor, said the bill responds to a Ridgefield warehouse owner and would give breweries parity with wineries that can already use bonded wine warehouses. She signaled planned amendments to narrow or remove direct‑to‑consumer shipping to address stakeholder concerns.

Supporters included Stan Olsen of the Washington Brewers Guild, who said many breweries lack on‑site storage and the change would allow small producers to grow. Warehouse operator James Carroll described secure, fenced facilities and argued the bill would keep jobs and storage in Washington.

Opponents and cautious stakeholders raised concerns. Scott Hazelgrove (Washington Beer & Wine Distributors Association) described federal challenges: he said the TTB (Tax and Trade Bureau) may not allow bonded beer and wine warehouses to coexist on the same premises. Sam Miller (RNDC) and Brooke Davies (Association of Washington Spirits & Wine Distributors) urged the committee to prohibit direct‑to‑consumer shipping and to restore statutory guardrails limiting public access and non‑alcohol storage mixing.

The committee did not take floor action on HB 22‑07 during the hearing; sponsors and stakeholders said they intended further amendments and negotiations.