Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-08-107.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Proposed new chapter 314-07 WAC, How to apply for a liquor license, which would contain provisions relating to the qualifications and steps necessary to receive a liquor license or permit: WAC 314-07-005 What is the purpose of this chapter?, 314-07-010 Definitions, 314-07-015 General information about liquor licenses, 314-07-020 Liquor license qualifications and application process, 314-07-035 What persons or entities have to qualify for a liquor license?, 314-07-040 What criminal history might prevent a liquor license applicant from receiving or keeping a liquor license?, 314-07-045 What liquor law or rule violation history might prevent an applicant from receiving a liquor license?, 314-07-055 Temporary retail license (replaces WAC 314-12-025), 314-07-065 Reasons the board may deny a liquor license application, 314-07-070 Process if the board denies a liquor license application, 314-07-080 Ownership changes, 314-07-085 Change of locations (replaces WAC 314-12-110), 314-07-090 Change of business name (replaces WAC 314-12-100), 314-07-095 Discontinue liquor sales, 314-07-100 Death or incapacity of licensee (replaces WAC 314-12-060), 314-07-110 Are liquor license fees refundable?, and 314-07-120 Board delegation of authority to approve liquor licenses (replaces WAC 314-12-005).

     Proposed rule changes would delete subsection (4) of WAC 314-12-020.

     Proposed rule changes would repeal the following provisions in their entirety: WAC 314-12-005 Under what conditions may the board delegate authority to approve licenses, 314-12-025 Applicants for temporary licenses -- Fee -- Who qualifies, 314-12-060 Death or incapacity of licensee, 314-12-080 Limitation on reapplication, 314-12-100 Change of name, and 314-12-110 Change of locations.

     Hearing Location(s): Liquor Control Board, Board Room, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on January 4, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: February 1, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: Deborah Belcher, AA5, P.O. Box 43080, Olympia, WA 98504-3080, e-mail rules@liq.wa.gov, fax (360) 704-4910, by January 27, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Deborah Belcher by January 2, 2005, TTY (800) 855-2880 or (360) 664-1649.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Currently rules on this subject are spread throughout different WAC provisions. Also, policies and practices need to be converted into rule form. These proposed rules changes either supplement existing rules contained in chapter 314-12 WAC or create new rules. The proposed revisions would: (1) Define "public institution" to refer to public colleges and universities; (2) better outline the liquor license application process; (3) better define "true parties of interest" for purposes of licensing investigations; (4) put criminal history record information background check policy into rule form with changes; (5) put violation history policy into rule form; (6) put preapproval provisional permit (PPP) policy into rule form, distinguish between a temporary application for a "new" and for an "assumption" (change of ownership) of an existing licensed business; (7) better outline reasons the Liquor Control Board might deny a license, and state clearly that applicants have the right to an administrative hearing if denied; (8) better outline when an application is needed for a change in ownership in the licensed business; (9) streamlines change of trade name process; and (10) simplify rule regarding delegation of authority for staff to approve uncontested applications.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: As part of its ongoing regulatory improvement process, the Liquor Control Board is reviewing its existing rules and policies regarding the process and requirements for applying for and receiving a liquor license.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.015, 66.24.025.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 66.24.010.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Liquor Control Board, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Lorraine Lee, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 664-1615; Implementation and Enforcement: Karen McCall, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 664-1631 and Sharon Hendricks, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 664-1619.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No economic impact to small businesses.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The Washington State Liquor Control Board is not a listed agency in RCW 34.05.328.

November 17, 2004

Merritt D. Long

Chairman

How to Apply for a Liquor License
NEW SECTION
WAC 314-07-005   What is the purpose of this chapter?   RCW 66.24.010 states the board will only issue licenses and permits to applicants and locations that meet certain qualifications. The purpose of this chapter is to outline the qualifications and steps necessary to receive a liquor license or permit.

[]

     (1) "Applicant" or "liquor license applicant" means any person who is a true party of interest in a liquor license or permit application, as outlined in WAC 314-07-035.

     (2) "Business name" or "trade name" means the name of a licensed business as used by the licensee on signs, advertising, etc.

     (3) "Financier" - A "financier" means any person who has made or will make an investment in the licensed business of more than ten thousand dollars or of more than 10% of the initial cash outlay needed to open the business.

     (4) "Licensee" or "liquor licensee" means any entity that holds a liquor license or permit, or any person who is a true party of interest in a liquor license or permit, as outlined in WAC 314-07-035.

     (5) "Public institution" means a public college or university. (See WAC 314-07-020 regarding the liquor control board notifying public institutions of liquor license applications.)

[]

     (2) A liquor license applicant may not take possession of the business, become a true party of interest, or exercise any of the privileges of a liquor license until the board approves the license application (see WAC 314-07-050 regarding temporary licenses).

     (3) In approving a liquor license, the board reserves the right to impose special conditions as to the involvement in the operations of the licensed business of any former licensees, their former employees, or any persons who does not qualify for a liquor license.

[]

     (1) Per RCW 66.24.010, the board shall send a notice to the local authority regarding the liquor license application. The local authority has 20 days to respond with a recommendation to approve or an objection to the applicant, location, or both.

     (a) The local authority may submit a written request to the board for an extension for good cause shown.

     (b) If the application is within a board-recognized Alcohol Impact Area, the board will give the local authority 60 days to comment on the liquor license application or assumption (see WAC 314-12-215(7) for more information).

     (2) For an application for a new liquor license privilege, the board may require a public posting notice to be posted at the site for fourteen days.

     (3) For an application for a new liquor license privilege, the board shall notify any schools, churches, or public colleges or universities within 500 feet of the business (see RCW 66.24.010(9) for more information

     (4) The board will verify that the proposed business meets the minimum requirements for the type of license or privilege requested.

     (5) The board may conduct an investigation of the applicants' criminal history and administrative violation history, per WAC 314-07-040 and WAC 314-07-045.

     (6) The board may conduct a financial investigation in order to verify the source of funds used for the acquisition and startup of the business, the applicants' right to the real and personal property, and to verify the true party(ies) of interest.

     (7) The board may provide a briefing on liquor laws and rules.

     (8) The board may conduct a final inspection of the proposed licensed business, in order to determine if the applicant has complied with all the requirements of the license or privilege requested.

     (9) Per RCW 66.24.010 (2)(a), all applicants must have resided in the state of Washington for at least one month prior to issuance of a liquor license. For true parties of interest in a corporation or a limited liability company, the entity meets this residency requirement if the entity was formed in Washington or has a certificate of authority to do business in Washington.

     (10) Upon failure to respond to the board licensing and regulation division's requests for information within the timeline provided, the application will be administratively closed.

[]

     Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
NEW SECTION
WAC 314-07-035   What persons or entities have to qualify for a liquor license?   Per RCW 66.24.010(1), a liquor license must be issued in the name(s) of the true party(ies) of interest.

     (1) True parties of interest - For purposes of this title, "true party of interest" means:

Type of Entity	Persons considered "true party of interest"
Sole proprietorship	Sole proprietor and spouse.
General partnership	All partners and spouses.
Limited partnership or limited liability partnership	• •	All general partners and spouses; All limited partners that have more than 10% interest in the partnership and their spouses.
Limited liability company	• •	All members with more than 10% interest in the LLC and spouses. (Note: In order for the liquor control board to identify the true parties of interest, we will need to know all parties that have an interest in the limited liability company or have a pending interest.) All managers and their spouses.
Privately held corporation	• •	All corporate officers (or persons with equivalent title). All stockholders who hold more than 10% of the issued or outstanding stock. (Note: In order for the liquor control board to identify the true parties of interest, we will need to know all parties who have been issued or will be issued corporate stock.)
Publicly held corporation	All corporate officers (or persons with equivalent title).
Multi-Level Ownership Structures	The liquor control board will review each entity to determine which individuals are true parties of interest according to the guidelines in this rule.
Any entity	Any person who is in receipt of, or has the right to receive, more than ten percent of the gross or net sales from the licensed business during any full or partial calendar or fiscal year. For the purposes of this chapter:
	&sqbul; &sqbul;	"Gross sales" includes the entire gross receipts from all sales and services made in, upon, or from the licensed business. "Net sales" means gross sales minus cost of goods sold.

     (2) For purposes of this section, "true party of interest" does not mean:

     (a) A person or entity receiving reasonable payment for rent on a fixed or percentage basis under a bona fide lease or rental obligation, unless the lessor or property manager exercises control over or participates in the management of the business.

     (b) A person who receives a bonus as an employee, if: the employee is on a fixed wage or salary and the bonus is not more than twenty-five percent of the employee's prebonus annual compensation; or the bonus is based on a written incentive/bonus program that is not out of the ordinary for the services rendered.

     (c) A person or entity contracting with the applicant(s) to sell the property, unless the contract holder exercises control over or participates in the management of the licensed business.

     (d) A person or entity receiving payment of franchise fees on a fixed or percentage basis under a bona fide franchise agreement, unless the person or entity receiving payment of franchise fees exercises control over or participates in the management of the licensed business.

     (3) Financiers - The board may conduct a financial investigation of financiers.

     (4) Persons who exercise control of business - The board may conduct an investigation of any person or entity who exercises any control over the applicant's business operations.

[]

     Reviser's note: The unnecessary underscoring in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
NEW SECTION
WAC 314-07-040   What criminal history might prevent a liquor license applicant from receiving or keeping a liquor license?   (1) When the board processes a criminal history check on an applicant, it uses a point system to determine if the person qualifies for a license. The board will not normally issue a liquor license to an applicant who has accumulated eight or more points as indicated below:

Description	Time period during which points will be assigned	Points assigned
Felony conviction	Ten years	12 points
Gross misdemeanor conviction	Three years	5 points
Misdemeanor conviction	Three years	4 points
Currently under federal or state supervision for a felony conviction	n/a	8 points
Nondisclosure of any of the above	n/a	4 points each

     (2) If a case is pending for an alleged offense that would earn eight or more points, the board will hold the application for the disposition of the case. If the disposition is not settled within 90 days, the board will administratively close the application.

[]

Violation Type (see WAC 314-29-020 through WAC 314-29-035)		Period of Consideration
&sqbul; &sqbul; &sqbul;	Three or more public safety violations, Four or more conduct violations, or Five or more regulatory violations.	&sqbul; &sqbul;	Violations issued within two years of the date the application is received by the board's licensing and regulation division. Violations issued within the last two years the true party(ies) of interest were licensed.

[]

Type of Application		Qualification and process to receive a temporary retail license
(1) Existing licensed business: Applicant is applying for a license for a business that has an existing license at the location, and all of the following apply:		In order to receive a temporary license, the applicant(s) must:
• • •	The applicant is applying for the same license privilege(s). The current license privilege is valid and has not expired. There are no liquor violations pending on the current license.	• • • • •	Fill out a form provided by the board signed by both the current licensee and the current landlord. Pay a $50 fee. Turn in all documents necessary to complete the initial licensing investigation. Clear a criminal history check, per WAC 314-07-040. Complete a briefing on liquor laws and regulations, per WAC 314-07-020(7).
(2)(a) New business or new license type:		In order to receive a temporary license, the applicant(s) must:
• • or	Applicant is applying for a license at a business location that does not hold a current, valid liquor license. Applicant is applying for a license or a business that has an existing license at the location, but the applicant is applying for a different license privilege(s).	• • • •	Fill out a form provided by the board. Clear a criminal history check, per WAC 314-07-040. Complete a briefing on liquor laws and regulations, per WAC 314-07-020(7). The local authority and any churches, schools, or public colleges or universities within 500 feet of the proposed licensed business must have responded to the liquor control board's notice of liquor license application, or the time period must have passed. See WAC 314-07-020, subsections (1), (2), and (3) for more information.
(b) Existing licensed business as described in subsection (1)		•	When the annual liquor license issued, the fee will be prorated back to the date of issuance of the temporary license.

     (3) For the purposes of this section, "retail liquor license" shall include all classes of liquor licenses that allow the holder to sell liquor directly to the public.

     (4) The privilege of having a temporary license issued upon an application for license does not apply to breweries or wineries, even though these licensees have limited distributor and retail privileges under their manufacturers' licenses.

     (5) A temporary license under subsection (1) above may be issued for a non-retail distributor license applicant.

[]

     (1) Failure to meet qualifications or requirements for the specific liquor license or privilege, as outlined in this Title 314 WAC and Title 66 RCW.

     (2) Failure to submit information or documentation requested by the board.

     (3) Misrepresentation of fact by any applicant or financier.

     (4) Failure to meet the criminal history standards outlined in WAC 314-07-040.

     (5) Failure to meet the liquor law or rule violation history standards outlined in WAC 314-07-045.

     (6) Source of funds used for the acquisition, startup and operation of the business is questionable or unverified.

     (7) Objection from the local authority or from the public (see WAC 314-09-010 and RCW 66.24.010(8)). The objection must state specific reasons and facts that show issuance of the liquor license at the proposed location or to the applicant business will detrimentally impact the safety, health, or welfare of the community.

     (8) Objection from the following entities if they are within 500 feet of the proposed business: a public school, a private school that meets the requirements of chapter 28A.195 RCW, a church, or a public college or university. See WAC 314-09-010 and RCW 66.24.010(9) for more information. Note: Per RCW 66.24.010(9), the board may not issue a new liquor license if the board receives objection from a public school within 500 feet of the proposed licensed business.

     (9) The board determines that the issuance of the liquor license will not be in the best interest of the welfare, health, or safety of the people of the state.

[]

     (1) request an administrative hearing per chapter 34.05 RCW, the administrative procedure act.

     (2) reapply for the license no sooner than one year from the original denial date.

[]

Type of change	Type of application	Fee
Change in any of the true party(ies) of interest in a: sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited partnership, or limited liability partnership.	New application	Annual fee for current license privilege.
Change in any of the true party(ies) of interest for a publicly or privately held corporation. The board will waive the fee for a corporate change when the proposed change consists solely of dropping an approved officer.	Application for change in corporate officer and/or stockholder	$75
Change in any of the true party(ies) of interest in a limited liability company.	Application for change of limited liability company member and/or manager	$75

     (b) The board may inquire into all matters in connection with any such sale of stock or proposed change in officers.

     (c) The "proposed sale of more than ten percent of the stock" will be calculated as a cumulative total and must be reported to the board when the accumulation of stock transfers or newly issued stock totals more than ten percent of the outstanding and/or issued stock of the licensed corporation.

[]

     (2) Type of change of location application:

Submit a change of location application and pay a $75 fee if:		Submit a liquor license application and pay the appropriate fee for the type of liquor license you are applying for if:
&sqbul; &sqbul; &sqbul;	You are not changing the type of liquor license that you have at the current location; There is no change in any of the true parties of interest; and Your liquor license is current.	&sqbul; &sqbul; &sqbul;	You are changing the type of liquor license from what you have at the current location; There is a change in any of the true parties of interest; or Your liquor license is not current.

[]

     Reviser's note: The unnecessary underscoring in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
NEW SECTION
WAC 314-07-090   Change of business name.   (1) If you wish to change the name of your business, you must apply for a change of trade name with the department of licensing, master license service.

     (2) If you wish to change your corporation or limited liability company name, you must apply for a change of name through the secretary of state.

     (3) See WAC 434-12 for guidelines for trade names.

[]

[]

     (2) The board may give the appointed guardian, executor, administrator, receiver, trustee, or assignee written approval to continue liquor sales on the licensed business for the duration of the existing license and to renew the license when it expires.

     (3) When the matter is resolved by the court, the true party(ies) of interest must apply for a liquor license for the business.

[]

     (1) Per RCW 66.24.420 (1)(b), a spirits, beer, and wine restaurant that is located in an unincorporated city or town may receive a refund of the unused portion of their license fees, calculated per calendar quarter.

     (2) Per RCW 66.24.015, if a liquor license application is denied or is administratively closed by the board, the application fee will be refunded less a seventy-five dollar non-refundable processing fee.

[]

[]

     (2) The board may require, as a condition precedent to the original issuance of any annual license, fingerprinting and criminal history record information checks on any person not previously licensed by the board. In addition to the applicant, fingerprinting and criminal history record information checks may be required of the applicant's spouse. In the case of a corporation, fingerprinting and criminal history record information checks may be required of its present and any subsequent officers, manager, and stockholders who hold more than ten percent of the total issued and outstanding stock of the applicant corporation if such persons have not previously had their fingerprints recorded with the board. In the case of a partnership, fingerprinting and criminal history record information checks may be required of all general partners and their spouses. Such fingerprints as are required by the board shall be submitted on forms provided by the board to the Washington state identification section of the Washington state patrol and to the identification division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in order that these agencies may search their records for prior arrests and convictions of the individuals fingerprinted. The applicant shall give full cooperation to the board and shall assist the board in all aspects of the fingerprinting and criminal history record information check. The applicant may be required to pay a minimal fee to the agency which performs the fingerprinting and criminal history process.

     (3) The restrictions on license issuance specified in RCW 66.24.010(2) shall be construed to be continuing conditions for retaining an existing license and any licensed person who ceases to be eligible for issuance of a license under RCW 66.44.010(2) shall also cease to be eligible to hold any license already issued.

     (4) An applicant for any license or permit issued by the liquor control board, who employs an attorney or agent in connection with an application for such license or permit, shall, upon request, submit in writing the entire agreement between such applicant for license or permit, and the attorney or agent. No part of any compensation agreed upon, paid or received shall in any manner be contingent upon the outcome of the matter before said board. In the event the compensation agreed upon, paid or received, is determined to be excessive, the board reserves the right to refuse to consider the application for such license or permit.

     (5) (4) The board, in considering an application for a license, may require, in addition to all other information requested concerning the proposed licensed premises (see WAC 314-12-035), that the applicant justify the issuance of the license sought based on an analysis of population trends compared to licenses in the area, any uniqueness of the proposed operation, any unusual circumstances present, plus any other information the applicant(s) may feel will justify the issuance of the license sought.

     (6) (5) The board may, at its discretion and for good cause shown, reconsider an application denied for reasons other than objection upon receipt of new information within sixty days of the original denial date. Such reconsiderations are not considered part of the normal license application procedure and must be justified on an individual basis. Should the board determine to reconsider a denied application, notice of such reconsideration shall be given to those persons and/or entities entitled to receive notice of an original license application pursuant to RCW 66.24.010(8). Such notice shall be given at least twenty days prior to final determination on the reconsideration. Additionally, at the same time the notice is given, a press release will be issued informing the public of the impending reconsideration. The process for applications denied due to objection is outlined in chapter 314-09 WAC.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.08.150. 01-03-087, § 314-12-020, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010 and 66.24.025. 96-03-004, § 314-12-020, filed 1/4/96, effective 2/4/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030. 93-15-024, § 314-12-020, filed 7/12/93, effective 8/12/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.010 (2)(b). 90-24-007, § 314-12-020, filed 11/27/90, effective 12/28/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.08.050(2). 83-18-071 (Order 129, Resolution No. 138), § 314-12-020, filed 9/7/83; Order 58, § 314-12-020, filed 8/9/77, effective 9/12/77; Order 43, § 314-12-020, Rule 1.5, filed 11/20/75; Order 36, § 314-12-020, filed 7/2/75; Rule 1.5, filed 6/13/63.]

     Reviser's note: RCW 34.05.395 requires the use of underlining and deletion marks to indicate amendments to existing rules. The rule published above varies from its predecessor in certain respects not indicated by the use of these markings.

     Reviser's note: The typographical errors in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
REPEALER

     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

WAC 314-12-005	Under what conditions may the board delegate authority to approve liquor licenses as provided in RCW 66.24.010(2)?
WAC 314-12-025	Applicants for temporary licenses -- Fee -- Who qualifies.
WAC 314-12-060	Death or incapacity of licensee.
WAC 314-12-080	Limitation on reapplications.
WAC 314-12-100	Change of name.
WAC 314-12-110	Change of location.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office