HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2358
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Ways & Means
Title: An act relating to increasing liquor license fees limited to fees for beer and/or wine restaurants.
Brief Description: Increasing liquor license fees limited to fees for beer and/or wine restaurants; taverns; snack bars; combined beer and wine retailers; grocery stores; beer and/or wine specialty shops; passenger trains, vessels, and airplanes; spirits, beer, and wine restaurants; spirits, beer, and wine private clubs; beer and wine private clubs; and public houses.
Sponsors: Representative Conway.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Ways & Means: 4/16/09, 4/18/09 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Cody, Conway, Darneille, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Pettigrew and Sullivan.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Hinkle, Priest, Ross, Schmick and Seaquist.
Staff: Serah Stetson (786-7109) and Joan Elgee (786-7106)
Background:
The Liquor Control Board (Board) issues a number of types of retail liquor licenses. For some licenses, there are also endorsements available that allow additional activities.
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Summary of Bill:
Specific retail liquor license and license endorsement fees are raised by 10.5 percent as follows:
License | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
Grocery License | $150 | $166 |
International Exporter Endorsement | $500 | $553 |
Public House License | $1,000 | $1,105 |
Beer and/or Wine Specialty Shop License | $100 | $111 |
Snack Bar License | $125 | $138 |
Interstate Common Carrier's License | $750 | $829 |
Duplicate License - Additional Locations | $5 | $6 |
Private Club - Beer and/or Wine License | $180 | $199 |
Sale of Unopened Wine for Off-Premises Consumption Endorsement | $120 | $133 |
Private Club - Spirits, Beer, and Wine License | $720 | $796 |
Non-Club Event Endorsement | $900 | $995 |
Sale of Unopened Wine for Off-Premises Consumption Endorsement | $120 | $133 |
Restaurant Beer and/or Wine |
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Beer only | $200 | $221 |
Wine only | $200 | $221 |
Beer and Wine | $400 | $442 |
Sale of Beer and/or Wine for Off-Premises Consumption | $120 | $133 |
Caterer's Endorsement | $350 | $387 |
Caterer's Storage at Other Locations Endorsement | $20 | $22 |
Restaurant Spirits, Beer, and Wine (public or private) |
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Less than 50% dedicated dining area | $2,000 | $2,210 |
50% or more dedicated dining area | $1,600 | $1,768 |
Service bar only | $1,000 | $1,105 |
Caterer's Endorsement | $350 | $387 |
Caterer's Storage at Other Locations Endorsement | $20 | $22 |
Sale of Unopened Wine for Off-Premises Consumption Endorsement | $120 | $133 |
Kegs-to-go Endorsement | $120 | $133 |
Private Club - Non-Club Event Endorsement | $900 | $995 |
Duplicate License - Civic/Convention Center Additional Location | $10 | $11 |
Tavern - No persons under 21 allowed |
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Beer only | $200 | $221 |
Wine only | $200 | $221 |
Both | $400 | $442 |
Sale of Beer and/or Wine for Off-Premises Consumption | $120 | $133 |
License | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) None.
(Opposed) The retail industry is facing this dire economic situation and the pressures associated with it along with the state. The retail industry has already shed over 9,000 jobs. The retail industry in the state is facing declining traffic and customers purchasing products in a different fashion resulting in declining retail margins that rival the lowest in the nation. This is all exacerbated by the jump in the minimum wage in January. This bill does add costs and the only way that the retail industry can respond is to reduce hours, reduce benefits, reduce jobs, or in the worst case scenario shut down entirely.
This isn't a good time to raise these license fees. Restaurants are already facing increased labor costs and increased food costs. Increased licensing fees add additional margin pressure to these businesses that already must pay a variety of fees. All of these fees add up.
Small business owners are encountering a vast array of trials in getting a business up and running. There are approximately 115 licensed breweries in the state of Washington and many of them have brew pubs or other retail establishments attached or on a second location. Many of the industries in Washington are on a decline but microbreweries are actually growing which is creating jobs for the state. Given increases in hop and grain prices, every penny counts. Having all possible funds on hand to support small business growth is important. At the end of the month, any additional fee increases are extremely burdensome.
Most licensing fees go into dedicated accounts for the purpose of enforcing the activities covered by the license. This is a different issue because the increased fees go to different programs across the state which raises an I-960 question. The issue should be "how much do we need to enforce the licensing act?" and not "how do we raise more funds for additional programs?"
Persons Testifying: T.K. Bentler, Washington Brewers' Guild, Washington State Hotel and Lodging Association, and Washington Association of Neighborhood Stores; Heather McClung, Washington Brewers' Guild; Bruce Beckett, Washington Restaurant Association; and Mark Johnson, Washington Retail Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.