HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1647
As Reported by House Committee On:
Commerce & Labor
Title: An act relating to the prohibition of sales of alcohol on university grounds.
Brief Description: Regarding the prohibition of the lawful sale of liquor on University of Washington grounds.
Sponsors: Representatives Conway, Chandler, Sommers, Lantz and Kenney; by request of University of Washington.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Commerce & Labor: 2/10/03, 2/13/03 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
• Repeals the prohibition on selling alcohol on the University of Washington campus. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Chandler, Ranking Minority Member; Condotta, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse, Holmquist, Hudgins and Kenney.
Staff: Matt Cooper (786-7106).
Background:
In 1895 the Legislature prohibited the sale of alcohol on the University of Washington (UW) campus. Over the years this prohibition has been modified to allow alcohol to be sold at the faculty center and to be served on campus under a banquet permit issued by the Liquor Control Board.
A banquet permit allows a group or individual to serve alcohol to guests invited to an event at a specific location on a specific date. The event may not be open to the public. The group or individual may charge guests for attending the event and alcohol may be served at the event, but guests may not be charged separately for alcohol.
Summary of Bill:
The prohibition on selling alcohol on the UW campus is stricken.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The UW is the only university with a statutory prohibition on liquor licenses. Not having this prohibition at other campuses has not been a problem. The UW will still have control over alcohol being served on campus.
This change will make it easier for nonprofit organizations to host fund-raising events that serve alcohol on campus. The museums on campus would like to have openings and fund- raising events with a caterer that can serve alcohol. Allowing this change will increase nonprofit organizations ability to raise money at fund-raising events.
The Liquor Control Board has considered the change and supports the change.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Amy Bell and Denis Martynowsch, University of Washington; and Rick Garza, Washington State Liquor Control Board.