(1) Any microbrewer or domestic brewery or beer distributor licensed under this title may sell and deliver beer and strong beer to holders of authorized licenses direct, but to no other person, other than the board. Any certificate of approval holder authorized to act as a distributor under RCW 66.24.270 shall pay the taxes imposed by this section.

     (a) Every such brewery or beer distributor shall report all sales to the board monthly, pursuant to the regulations, and shall pay to the board as an added tax for the privilege of manufacturing and selling the beer and strong beer within the state a tax of one dollar and thirty cents per barrel of thirty-one gallons on sales to licensees within the state and on sales to licensees within the state of bottled and canned beer, including strong beer, shall pay a tax computed in gallons at the rate of one dollar and thirty cents per barrel of thirty-one gallons.

     (b) Any brewery or beer distributor whose applicable tax payment is not postmarked by the twentieth day following the month of sale will be assessed a penalty at the rate of two percent per month or fraction thereof. Beer and strong beer shall be sold by breweries and distributors in sealed barrels or packages.

     (c) The moneys collected under this subsection shall be distributed as follows: (i) Three-tenths of a percent shall be distributed to border areas under RCW 66.08.195; and (ii) of the remaining moneys: (A) Twenty percent shall be distributed to counties in the same manner as under RCW 66.08.200; and (B) eighty percent shall be distributed to incorporated cities and towns in the same manner as under RCW 66.08.210.

     (d) Any licensed retailer authorized to purchase beer from a certificate of approval holder with a direct shipment endorsement or a brewery or microbrewery shall make monthly reports to the liquor control board on beer purchased during the preceding calendar month in the manner and upon such forms as may be prescribed by the board.

     (2) An additional tax is imposed on all beer and strong beer subject to tax under subsection (1) of this section. The additional tax is equal to two dollars per barrel of thirty-one gallons. All revenues collected during any month from this additional tax shall be deposited in the violence reduction and drug enforcement account under RCW 69.50.520 by the twenty-fifth day of the following month.

     (3)(a) An additional tax is imposed on all beer and strong beer subject to tax under subsection (1) of this section. The additional tax is equal to ninety-six cents per barrel of thirty-one gallons through June 30, 1995, two dollars and thirty-nine cents per barrel of thirty-one gallons for the period July 1, 1995, through June 30, 1997, and four dollars and seventy-eight cents per barrel of thirty-one gallons thereafter.

     (b) The additional tax imposed under this subsection does not apply to the sale of the first sixty thousand barrels of beer each year by breweries that are entitled to a reduced rate of tax under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 5051, as existing on July 1, 1993, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the board by rule consistent with the purposes of this exemption.

     (c) All revenues collected from the additional tax imposed under this subsection (3) shall be deposited in the health services account under RCW 43.72.900.

     (4) An additional tax is imposed on all beer and strong beer that is subject to tax under subsection (1) of this section that is in the first sixty thousand barrels of beer and strong beer by breweries that are entitled to a reduced rate of tax under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 5051, as existing on July 1, 1993, or such subsequent date as may be provided by the board by rule consistent with the purposes of the exemption under subsection (3)(b) of this section. The additional tax is equal to one dollar and forty-eight and two-tenths cents per barrel of thirty-one gallons. By the twenty-fifth day of the following month, three percent of the revenues collected from this additional tax shall be distributed to border areas under RCW 66.08.195 and the remaining moneys shall be transferred to the state general fund.

     (5) The board may make refunds for all taxes paid on beer and strong beer exported from the state for use outside the state.

     (6) The board may require filing with the board of a bond to be approved by it, in such amount as the board may fix, securing the payment of the tax. If any licensee fails to pay the tax when due, the board may forthwith suspend or cancel his or her license until all taxes are paid.

[2006 c 302 § 7; 2003 c 167 § 5; 1999 c 281 § 14. Prior: 1997 c 451 § 1; 1997 c 321 § 16; 1995 c 232 § 4; 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 902 (Referendum Bill No. 43, approved November 8, 1994); 1993 c 492 § 311; 1989 c 271 § 502; 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3 § 11; 1982 1st ex.s. c 35 § 24; 1981 1st ex.s. c 5 § 16; 1965 ex.s. c 173 § 30; 1933 ex.s. c 62 § 24; RRS § 7306-24.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2006 c 302: See note following RCW 66.24.170.

     Effective date -- 2003 c 167: See note following RCW 66.24.244.

     Report to legislature -- 2003 c 167: See note following RCW 66.24.250.

     Effective date -- 1997 c 451: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1997." [1997 c 451 § 5.]

     Effective date -- 1997 c 321: See note following RCW 66.24.010.

     Contingent partial referendum -- 1994 sp.s. c 7 §§ 901-909: See note following RCW 66.24.210.

     Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- 1994 sp.s. c 7: See notes following RCW 43.70.540.

     Findings -- Intent--1993 c 492: See notes following RCW 43.20.050.

     Short title--Severability -- Savings--Captions not law--Reservation of legislative power--Effective dates--1993 c 492: See RCW 43.72.910 through 43.72.915.

     Effective dates -- 1989 c 271: See note following RCW 66.28.200.

     Severability -- 1989 c 271: See note following RCW 9.94A.510.

     Construction -- Severability -- Effective dates -- 1983 2nd ex.s. c 3: See notes following RCW 82.04.255.

     Severability -- Effective dates -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 35: See notes following RCW 82.08.020.

     Severability -- Effective date -- 1981 1st ex.s. c 5: See RCW 66.98.090 and 66.98.100.

     Severability -- 1965 ex.s. c 173: See note following RCW 82.98.030.

Giving away of liquor prohibited -- Exceptions: RCW 66.28.040.