This is the second in a four part series about Initiatives 1100 and 1105. In today’s post, I breakdown Initiative 1100. Next, a look at Initiative 1105. See the first part of the series here.

Yesterday, I listed the titles of the two initiatives. This is what voters will be seeing on the ballot. Today I will start by listing the ‘brief summary’ of Initiative 1100 and then break it down point by point.

Read a fuller explanation of Initiative 1100 – still incomplete in my opinion – written by the Senate here (Note: Opens .pdf). This is a must read document for anyone interested in the subject. If you want to go deep, read the complete text of 1100 here (I dare you. Note: Opens .pdf). The brief summary says:

This measure would direct the liquor control board to close all state liquor stores; terminate contracts with private stores selling liquor; and authorize the state to issue licenses that allow spirits (hard liquor) to be sold, distributed, and imported by private parties. It would repeal uniform pricing and certain other requirements governing business operations for distributors and producers of beer and wine. Stores that held contracts to sell spirits could convert to liquor retailer licenses.

I will break this language down point by point to attempt to explain the intention as I understand it.

1. Direct the liquor control board to close all state liquor stores

Washington State, a ‘control state,’ currently has a monopoly on hard liquor sales. This would eliminate this monopoly and close state-run liquor stores by December 31st, 2011.

2. Terminate contracts with private stores selling liquor

Currently state run liquor stores are run by private contracts. This terminates these contracts.

3. Authorize the state to issue licenses that allow spirits (hard liquor) to be sold, distributed, and imported by private parties

In the absence of state liquor stores, this would set up a system to license the sale of hard liquor.

4. It would repeal uniform pricing and certain other requirements governing business operations for distributors and producers of beer and wine

Let’s start with ‘repeal uniform pricing.’ Currently every retailer who purchases liquor pays the same wholesale price. No one is allowed to sell for less than this price by law, although people find ways to work around this. Initiative 1100 would eliminate this provision. It would allow the sale and purchase of liquor at varying prices for different entities.

What does this mean? At present, let’s say a bottle of wine sells for $20 wholesale and $30 retail. Every wholesaler pays the same $20 regardless of how much they buy of this or other wine. Initiative 1100 would allow wholesalers to pay varying prices. This means if a bottle of wine sells for $20 wholesale but I work out a deal with you because I am buying a lot of wine or because of…whatever…I can buy it for, perhaps, $17.50. Now when I go to sell it at retail, I can either make the additional profit, sell it for a less expensive price, or a combination of both. In other words, some wholesalers would see the $20 price; some could see substantially less.

Next let’s talk about the ‘certain other requirements’ that are not elucidated in this sentence. Some of these are substantial. I have attempted to explain in Table #1 the ones I am aware of based on collating numerous sources. In addition to explaining what the changes would be in the law, I have listed what the effects would be and why this is being proposed, along with any concerns I have read in various articles. Please note, this list may not be complete.

Initiative 1100 would:

Table #1

Change in Law

Effects

Why/Concerns

Dismantle the three tier system

Retailers would now be able to buy directly from producers rather than going through a middle person, the distributor.

This saves companies like Costco money by eliminating a middle person.

Privatize the distribution and sale of spirits

This eliminates the state’s exclusivity on spirits distribution and sales.

This allows companies like Costco to sell spirits.

Repeal laws that bar volume discounting

Currently everyone who buys liquor pays the same wholesale price and no discounting is allowed based on volume sales. This would remove this provision.

This would allow people buying at volume to get discounts.

· Some have expressed concern that this would undercut the little guy who cannot purchase at volume.

· Others have said that’s the way the free market works.

Repeal laws that bar centralized warehousing

Currently, centralized warehousing of liquor is prohibited.

Lack of central warehousing costs companies like Costco money.

Repeal laws that require retailers to pay cash on delivery

Currently retailers must pay for shipments as they are received. This would mean they would not have to do so, essentially extending a line of credit.

I am not clear on why this is important to Costco and others.

· Some have expressed concern about subsequent ability to get payments. Delays in payments for small businesses could have a significant effect.

Repeal laws that limit cross-ownership between the producer, distributor and retailer tiers

Current laws prevent cross-ownership of certain businesses across the three tiers. This eliminates those laws.

This Prohibition era law, referred to as a “tied house” law, prevents businesses from having direct or indirect financial interests across tiers in order to avoid monopolies. From the Senate: “Washington’s tied-house prohibition was repealed by the Legislature in 2009 and direct and indirect financial interests between and among industry members and retailers are now permitted so long as the financial interest does not result in undue influence or have an adverse impact on public health and safety.” I am unclear on how what is proposed in Initiative 1105 differs from what was passed in 2009.

Repeal law that requires retailers to pay the same price whether a distributor delivers to them or they pick up their product from the distributor

Self-explanatory.

I believe the intention would be to negotiate a lower price if picked up from the distributor versus having the distributor deliver but have not seen any writing on this.

Repeal laws that prevent producers from paying for shelf space in stores

Liquor business would be permitted to pay for prime time shelf-placement, like other businesses currently can.

Companies would be able to pay to have their products front and center.

· Some have expressed concern that they would get squeezed out by larger companies.

Repeal laws that prevent distilleries, wineries and breweries from giving gifts to retailers

Current restrictions include gifts, discounts, loans, rebates, fixtures, equipment, and supplies to retailers.

This would allow companies to provide retailers with gifts and promotional items to assist with sales.

Refocus Washington’s Liquor Control Board

Currently the LCB focuses on regulation, enforcement, and sales. This would remove sales from the equation.

This is mainly just a by-product of privatizing liquor sales, although many see the LCB’s dual role of enforcing rules and promoting liquor sales as a contradiction.

Next up, a breakdown of Initiative 1105.