Bill > HB2079

This bill increases alcohol taxes in Washington State by modifying tax rates for wine and beer. Specifically, the bill adjusts the per-liter tax rates for various types of wine and cider, including fortified wine, and increases the per-barrel tax rates for beer and strong beer. The tax changes include: updating the additional tax on fortified wine from 23.44 cents to $0.4688 per liter, changing the additional tax on other wines to $0.02 per liter, and imposing a new $0.0563 per liter tax on cider. For beer, the bill increases the additional tax from $2 to $4 per 31-gallon barrel, and modifies the tax on the first 60,000 barrels produced by smaller breweries. The bill also increases the additional tax rate under RCW 82.02.030 from 7% to 14% for wine-related taxes. These tax increases are intended to generate additional revenue for the state general fund and will take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill declares an emergency and states that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, safety, and support of the state government.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2079&Year=2025&Initiative=false