SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 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 Senate Committee On:

Ways & Means, March 28, 2019

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: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives MacEwen and Stanford; by request of Liquor and Cannabis Board).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/07/19, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 3/19/19, 3/28/19 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Rolfes, Chair; Frockt, Vice Chair, Operating, Capital Lead; Braun, Ranking Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Bailey, Billig, Conway, Darneille, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Liias, Palumbo, Pedersen, Rivers, Schoesler and Van De Wege.

Staff: Alia Kennedy (786-7405)

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.

Summary of Bill: The expiration date for the account is extended until September 1, 2023.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO:  Funds in the Licensing and Enforcement Systems Modernization Project Account are intended to be used to replace the Liquor and Cannabis Board's forty-year-old databases.  This bill allows funds in that account to be used as intended.  Updating the databases would reduce license processing time and provide other benefits, such as online payment options.  The industry that put forth monies in furtherance of this project would like to see its completion.   

Persons Testifying: PRO: James Morgan, Liquor and Cannabis Board; Zachary Lindahl, Washington Hospitality Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.