Lawmakers in Olympia currently have a few beer-related issues on their dockets. The Washington Brewers Guild is working to represent the best interests of the state’s brewing industry. This year, as in every even-numbered year, it’s a short, 60-day legislative session for Washington’s lawmakers. The 2026 session is now entering the final two weeks.
Here is what the Washington Brewers Guild is working on in Olympia right now. Some good news, some tough issues ahead.
Oppose: Excise Tax Increase – “We are continuing to meet with lawmakers pushing back on the proposed 100% beer excise tax increase (HB 2079). The good news is this excise tax increase is currently not included in the House or Senate proposed budgets. Bad news, there are still 14 days for them to change their minds. We’re in Olympia continuing to reinforce our opposition and urging lawmakers not to include this proposal in the final budget.”
Support: HB 2325/SB 6061 – This bill would create, and provide long-term funding for, a statewide tourism program. It would include an opt-in self-assessment program for hospitality businesses (including breweries) that would support marketing Washington state as a tourist destination. Washington State Tourism would manage the fund, with oversight from a board composed of hospitality industry representatives, including an industry-based board to monitor the assessments paid by participants. This bill passed the House and is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee this week.
Oppose: SB 5511 (Canned Cocktails) – This bill lowers the tax rate for spirits corporations that produce canned cocktails AND raises the beer excise tax. The bill is currently in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee and appears to be dead for this year. The Guild, of course, is keeping an eye on this one. Big money is behind this one, with the largest distillers looking to lower their own tax rate in Washington at the expense of other, local industries.
Dead, for now: The .05 BAC bill, SB 5067, did not advance out of the House Community Safety Committee and is dead for the year. “Thank you to everyone who reached out to their legislators – whether it was meeting with them at Hill Climb, sending in an email, or signing in CON during the hearings, every little bit helped stop this bill.”
Monitoring: HB 1607 (Bottle Bill) – This bill passed the House Environment Committee but appears dead for now. It’s a bottle bill that, basically, overhauls the state’s beverage container recycling program. “We successfully negotiated an exemption—breweries under $5 million in gross revenue are exempt, but can opt in to the system if they’d like. Bill appears to be dead for this year.” Want to contact your lawmakers and voice your opinion about these, or any other issues? Click here to find your legislator and get started.
