SB 194-LIQUOR DELIVERED TO HOTELS/CRUISE SHIPS CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the next order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 194(FIN), "An Act authorizing delivery of up to two bottles of distilled spirits and 40 ounces of beer to a cruise ship passenger or hotel guest." Number 0574 DOUG LETCH, Staff to Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State Legislature, explained that SB 194 adds statutory language allowing the delivery to hotel guests or cruise ship passengers of up to two bottles of distilled spirits or 40 ounces of beer with floral arrangements. Adding the distilled spirits and beer language to the current statute will capture all consumable alcohol products currently for sale. He noted that for purposes of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) regulations beer would also include any malt beverages. Mr. Letch related that this legislation builds on HB 69 of the Twenty-First Alaska State Legislature, which was amended to allow the delivery of up to two bottles of wine and champagne with a floral arrangement. This legislation, SB 194, would open opportunities for some additional business, particularly in areas where cruise ships come. In response to Representative Rokeberg, Mr. Letch related that the 40 ounce amount was recommended by the ABC Board because it represents two 20 ounce bottles. The ABC Board said that it would entertain the ability to set the amount by regulations, but the sponsor felt that a gift-sized bottle of beer would be appropriate. REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM inquired as to why this legislation was introduced. MR. LETCH reiterated that this legislation further expands HB 69 of the Twenty-First Alaska State Legislature, which was introduced because a floral business in Seward wanted to deliver gift baskets with champagne and wine. The same business wanted to expand the aforementioned in order to include other forms of alcohol. In further response to Representative Dahlstrom, he specified that this would be effective throughout the state and the business would have to obtain a permit from the ABC Board to deliver such gift baskets. Number 0957 REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD drew attention to the language "two bottles", which could refer to one ounce bottles to half gallon bottles. Therefore, he asked whether the language should be tightened. MR. LETCH offered to research that because the regulations would seem to fall under the ABC Board in terms of volume of alcohol. REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD expressed concern that a business, on the pretense of supplying flower arrangements, could supply alcohol to young individuals. He said that he didn't want to open the door to abuses. MR. LETCH confirmed that this legislation is merely addressing delivery to hotel and cruise ship guests. He opined that Representative Meyer's legislation would probably discourage much of the concerns of Representative Crawford. REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG reiterated his concern with the 40 ounce specification, and indicated his size preference of 72 ounces. He questioned whether the Alaska Brewing Company used these sizes. MR. LETCH said that he would entertain any sizes the committee would desire. Number 1241 REPRESENTATIVE GATTO asked if this legislation refers to one delivery per passenger, port, day, et cetera. MR. LETCH opined that it's a relatively low volume business with one visit per customer. However, he offered to review this with the ABC Board. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO related his understanding that the federal government used to allow infants into the country with a certain amount of alcohol. Number 1302 REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG moved that the committee adopt Conceptual Amendment 1, as follows: Page 1, line 1; Delete "40" Insert "72" Page 1, line 1; Delete "and" Insert "or" Page 1, line 6 Delete "and" Insert "or" Page 1, line 7; Delete "40" Insert "72" REPRESENTATIVE GATTO moved that the committee adopt an amendment to Conceptual Amendment 1, such that the language "bottles" be changed to "liters". He opined, "Typically speaking people who are buying a special brew or something, are not buying it by the gallon, they're generally going for a special bottle of wine or something like that." REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG commented that although there seems to be a shift with regard to the availability of fifths, or liters, the predominant measurement of sale in the U.S. is the fifth. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO withdrew his amendment to Conceptual Amendment 1. [Conceptual Amendment 1 was treated as adopted.] MR. LETCH, in response to Representative Dahlstrom, confirmed that the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee is the only committee of referral for SB 194, which has a zero fiscal note. Number 1498 REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG moved to report CSSB 194(FIN), as amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HCS CSSB 194(L&C) was reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.