WSR 18-08-090
PROPOSED RULES
LIQUOR AND CANNABIS
BOARD
[Filed April 4, 2018, 10:46 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 18-01-057.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 314-02-107 What are the requirements for a spirits retail license?
Hearing Location(s): On May 16, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., at 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 30, 2018.
Submit Written Comments to: Karen McCall, P.O. Box 43098, Olympia, WA 98504, email rules@lcb.wa.gov, fax 360-664-9689.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Karen McCall, phone 360-664-1631, fax 360-664-9689, email rules@lcb.wa.gov.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Rules are needed to address the placement and storage of mini spirit bottles for sale in a spirit retailer's premises.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The placement and storage of mini spirit bottles is a public safety issue.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.030.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 66.24.630.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington state liquor and cannabis board, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Karen McCall, Rules Coordinator, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, 360-664-1631; Implementation: Becky Smith, Licensing Director, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, 360-664-1615; and Enforcement: Justin Nordhorn, Enforcement Chief, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, 360-664-1726.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis is not required.
The proposed rule does not impose more-than-minor costs on businesses. Following is a summary of the agency's analysis showing how costs were calculated. No costs or reporting requirements are required.
April 4, 2018
Jane Rushford
Chair
AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 12-12-065, filed 6/5/12, effective 7/6/12)
WAC 314-02-107 What are the requirements for a spirits retail license?
(1) The requirements for a spirits retail license are as follows:
(a) Submit a signed acknowledgment form indicating the square footage of the premises. The premises must be at least ten thousand square feet of fully enclosed retail space within a single structure, including store rooms and other interior areas. This does not include any area encumbered by a lease or rental agreement (floor plans one-eighth inch to one foot scale may be required by the board); and
(b) Submit a signed acknowledgment form indicating the licensee has a security plan which addresses:
(i) Inventory management;
(ii) Employee training and supervision; and
(iii) Physical security of spirits product with respect to preventing sales to underage or apparently intoxicated persons and theft of product.
(2)(a) A grocery store licensee or a specialty shop licensee may add a spirits retail liquor license to their current license if they meet the requirements for the spirits retail license.
(b) A grocery store or a specialty shop licensee that adds a spirits retail liquor license must display bottled spirits fifty milliliters or less in size offered to customers for off-premises consumption in a secure manner so a licensee or employee of the licensee must unlock or otherwise access the spirits for a customer before the customer purchases the spirits.
(i) The display of bottled spirits fifty milliliters or less in size applies whether a bottle is displayed or sold individually or in a package with other bottled spirits fifty milliliters or less in size.
(ii) Former state or contract stores, or other spirit retail stores with more than fifty percent of their sales in alcohol do not need to secure bottled spirits fifty milliliters or less.
(3) The board may not deny a spirits retail license to qualified applicants where the premises is less than ten thousand square feet if:
(a) The application is for a former contract liquor store location;
(b) The application is for the holder of a former state liquor store operating rights sold at auction; or
(c) There is no spirits retail license holder in the trade area that the applicant proposes to serve; and
(i) The applicant meets the operational requirements in WAC 314-02-107 (1)(b); and
(ii) If a current liquor licensee, has not committed more than one public safety violation within the last three years.