HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 2608

BYRepresentatives Valle and Vekich

Requiring posting of liquor applications.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Republican Member; Forner, Jones, R. King, Leonard, Prentice, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Jim Kelley (786-7166)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

It is the current practice of the Washington State Liquor Control Board to post notice of applications for liquor licenses and modifications of class of license at the location where business will be conducted. The board does not post reconsiderations of applications denied by the board nor applications for renewal of licenses.

SUMMARY:

This bill codifies the current Liquor Board practice of posting notice of applications for liquor licenses.  Additionally, reconsiderations where public opposition was the grounds for the Board's original denial are required to be posted.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 18, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (ORIGINAL BILL)  Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board;  Jan Gee, Washington State Food Dealers; and Bob Seeber, Restaurant Association and Convenience Stores.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (ORIGINAL BILL)  The word "reapplications" is ambiguous because it is not defined.  If reapplications include license renewals, it would put a tremendous burden on the Liquor Control Board and merchants.