HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1430

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:

Appropriations

Title: An act relating to the licensing and enforcement system modernization project account.

Brief Description: Concerning the licensing and enforcement system modernization project account.

Sponsors: Representatives MacEwen and Stanford; by request of Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Appropriations: 2/4/19, 2/14/19 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Extends the expiration date for the Licensing and Enforcement System Modernization Account.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 33 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Bergquist, 2nd Vice Chair; Robinson, 1st Vice Chair; Stokesbary, Ranking Minority Member; MacEwen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Rude, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Chandler, Cody, Dolan, Dye, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Hoff, Hudgins, Jinkins, Kraft, Macri, Mosbrucker, Pettigrew, Pollet, Ryu, Schmick, Senn, Springer, Stanford, Steele, Sullivan, Sutherland, Tarleton, Tharinger, Volz and Ybarra.

Staff: Linda Merelle (786-7092).

Background:

Licensing and Enforcement System Modernization Project Account.

The Licensing and Enforcement System Modernization Project Account (Account) was created in 2015, and it is a nonappropriated account. It may only be used for expenses relating to replacing and modernizing licensing, enforcement, and the imaging system for the Liquor and Cannabis Board. A temporary fee applied to certain liquor licenses and the licenses of marijuana producers, processors and retailers provided revenue for the Account. That fee expired on June 30, 2017, and the Account expires June 30, 2019.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The expiration date for the Account is extended until September 1, 2023.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill adds an emergency cause to allow the extension of the expiration date for the Account to take effect before the Account expires.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on June 1, 2019.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The moneys in the Account were paid by licensees and would revert to the State General Fund if the expiration date is not extended. Funds in the Account will be used for their intended purpose. The earlier project was not completed, and access to the funds in the account would allow the project to be completed.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative MacEwen, prime sponsor; Chris Thompson, Liquor and Cannabis Board; and Zachary Lindahl, Washington Hospitality Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.