A new state legislative session - bills to watch

This year's state legislative session started this week and here are a few bills that the Washington Association for Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention (WASAVP) is following.

HB 1116 would require the Liquor Control Board to convert at least 20 state liquor stores to contract liquor stores. It would authorize certain independently owned grocery stores to apply for and receive a contract liquor store appointment.

HB 1126 would provide communities with tools to better protect citizens from gang-related crime.

HB 1163 would create an ongoing work group on school bullying and harassment prevention.

HB 1166 would prohibit a person under 21 from being charged or prosecuted for seeking medical assistance for someone experiencing alcohol poisoning.

HB 1172 and SB 5029 would establish a pilot project to allow beer and wine tastings at farmers markets.

SB 5101 would place certain synthetic cannabinoids into schedule I of the uniform controlled substances act.