Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Regulated Substances & Gaming Committee
HB 2043
Brief Description: Concerning spirits, beer, and wine theater licenses.
Sponsors: Representatives Corry, Caldier and Reeves.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the restriction that a spirits, beer, and wine theater license may be issued only to a theater that has no more than 120 seats per screen.
Hearing Date: 1/8/24
Staff: Peter Clodfelter (786-7127).
Background:

There is a spirits, beer, and wine theater license, issued to eligible theaters by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).  The license authorizes a theater to sell spirits, beer, strong beer, and wine, at retail, for consumption on theater premises.  A theater is defined as a place of business where motion pictures or other primarily nonparticipatory entertainment is shown.

 

A spirits, beer, and wine theater license may only be issued to a theater that has no more than 120 seats per screen and that is maintained in a substantial manner as a place for preparing, cooking, and serving complete meals and providing tabletop accommodations for in-theater dining.  The requirements related to complete meals are the same requirements that apply pursuant to the LCB's rules for holders of a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant license.

 

If the theater premises will be frequented by minors, an alcohol control plan is required.  An alcohol control plan is a written, dated, and signed plan submitted to the LCB by an applicant or licensee for the entire theater premises, or rooms or areas within the premises, that shows where and when alcohol is permitted, where and when minors are permitted, and the control measures used to ensure minors are unable to obtain alcohol or be exposed to environments where drinking alcohol predominates.  The alcohol control plan must be approved by the LCB and be prominently posted on the premises, prior to minors being allowed.

 

The maximum penalties in the LCB's rules relating to fines and suspensions of liquor licenses are double for violations by theaters involving minors or the failure to follow the alcohol control plan. 

 

The annual fee for a spirits, beer, and wine theater license is $2,000.  However, between April 2021 and April 2022, there was a 12-month waiver of license fees.
Summary of Bill:

The restriction is removed that a spirits, beer, and wine theater license may be issued only to a theater that has no more than 120 seats per screen.


A technical change is made to strike an obsolete reference to a temporary license fee waiver that is no longer in effect.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.