Washington lawmakers seek to protect kids’ lemonade stands

OLYMPIA — Local governments would be prohibited from interfering with kids who want to set up lemonade stands under bills being considered in the Washington House and Senate.

Republican state Rep. Luanne Van Werven, sponsor of the House bill, said one of her constituents brought the issue of lemonade stand regulations to her attention.

The Northwest News Network reports that her measure, which received a public hearing Tuesday, would block local governments from regulating the occasional sale of non-alcoholic, beverages, like lemonade, by anyone under 18 as long as the stand is on private property.

Under current law, kid-run lemonade stands are subject to state and local regulations, including a requirement that the sellers have a permit. There are also sales tax requirements, but the Washington Department of Revenue said they don’t enforce that.

A similar bill sponsored by Republican state Sen. Steve O’Ban would exempt kid lemonade stands from sales tax and would prohibit local boards of health from enforcing restrictions on lemonade stands operated by a child 15 or younger.

According to Country Time, the lemonade maker, kids’ lemonade sales are potentially illegal in 34 states while sixteen states, including California, Texas and New York, allow kid-run stands.