Rep. Bill Jenkin passes first bill, aims to help wineries
Rep. Bill Jenkin, R-Prosser, unanimously passed his first bill off the House floor today. House Bill 1718 would significantly reduce the permit paperwork necessary for wineries participating in vendor-related nonprofit auctions.
“This bill is an easy step in reducing the mountains of permitting paperwork small wineries currently go through,” said Rep. Jenkin. This would level the playing field so they can compete at the same level as larger wineries.”
As the law currently stands, when a winery participates in a nonprofit auction for vendors, each winery must apply for a permit through the Liquor and Cannabis Board. HB 1718 would change the permit process to allow the host of the auction to receive a single permit that lists all participating wineries. Additionally, wine tastings for those wines being auctioned would now be allowed.
“The Columbia Valley has one of the fastest growing wine industries in the world,” said Rep. Jenkin. “Small businesses and wineries are suffocating under bureaucracy. At the very least, Washington should encourage the growth of this thriving industry.”
HB 1718 now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
