WSR 08-17-038

PERMANENT RULES

LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD


[ Filed August 14, 2008, 8:20 a.m. , effective September 14, 2008 ]


     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The purpose of this rule making is to clarify the process for emergency or summary suspension of a liquor license and the process by which a licensee's administrative appeal from an order of emergency suspension may be taken.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.08.150.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 08-12-112 on June 4, 2008.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: August 6, 2008.

Lorraine Lee

Chairman

OTS-1530.2


NEW SECTION
WAC 314-29-006   What is the process once the board summarily suspends a liquor license?   (1) The board may summarily suspend any license or permit after the board's enforcement division has completed a preliminary staff investigation of the violation and upon a determination that immediate cessation of the licensed or permitted activities is necessary for the protection or preservation of the public health, safety or welfare.

     (2) Suspension of any license or permit under this provision shall take effect immediately upon personal service on the licensee or employee thereof of the summary suspension order unless otherwise provided in the order.

     (3) When a license or permit has been summarily suspended by the board, an adjudicative proceeding for revocation or other action must be promptly instituted before an administrative law judge assigned by the office of administrative hearings. If a request for an administrative hearing is timely filed by the licensee or permit holder, then a hearing shall be held within ninety days of the effective date of the summary suspension ordered by the board.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 314-29-007   How may a licensee challenge the summary suspension of his or her liquor license?   (1) Upon summary suspension of a license or permit by the board pursuant to WAC 314-29-006, an affected licensee or permit holder may petition the board for a stay of suspension pursuant to RCW 34.05.467 and 34.05.550(1). A petition for a stay of suspension must be received by the board within fifteen days of service of the summary suspension order. The petition for stay shall state the basis on which the stay is sought.

     (2) A hearing shall be held before an administrative law judge within fourteen days of receipt of a timely petition for stay. The hearing shall be limited to consideration of whether a stay should be granted, or whether the terms of the suspension may be modified to allow the conduct of limited activities under current licenses or permits.

     (3) Any hearing conducted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be a brief adjudicative proceeding under RCW 34.05.485. The agency record for the hearing shall consist of the documentary information upon which the summary suspension was based. The licensee or permit holder shall have the burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that:

     (a) The licensee or permit holder is likely to prevail upon the merits at hearing;

     (b) Without relief, the licensee or permit holder will suffer irreparable injury. For purposes of this section, elimination of income from licensed or permitted activities shall not be deemed irreparable injury;

     (c) The grant of relief will not substantially harm other parties to the proceedings; and

     (d) The threat to the public health, safety, or welfare is not sufficiently serious to justify continuation of the suspension, or that modification of the terms of the suspension will adequately protect the public interest.

     (4) The initial order on stay shall be effective immediately upon service unless another date is specified in the order.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 314-29-008   Review of orders on stay.   (1) The licensee, permit holder, or agency may petition the board for review of an initial order on stay. Any petition for review must be in writing and received by the board within ten days of service of the initial order. If neither party has requested review within ten days of service, the initial order shall be deemed the final order of the board for purposes of RCW 34.05.467.

     (2) If the board receives a timely petition for review, the board shall consider the petition within fifteen days of service of the petition for review. Consideration on review shall be limited to the record of the hearing on stay.

     (3) The order of the board on the petition for review shall be effective upon personal service unless another date is specified in the order and is final pursuant to RCW 34.05.467. Final disposition of the petition for stay shall not affect subsequent administrative proceedings for suspension or revocation of a license or permit.

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