[Filed November 18, 2020, 11:46 a.m., effective November 18, 2020, 11:46 a.m.]

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately upon filing.

Purpose: Chapter 314-12 WAC, General—Applicable to all licensees, the Washington state liquor and cannabis board (WSLCB) has adopted emergency rules that establish summary license suspension and petition for stay provisions that are necessary for the enforcement of any violation of any governor's proclamation issued as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. This filing supersedes and replaces emergency rules filed as WSR 20-15-162 on July 22, 2020.

Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 314-12-250 and 314-12-275.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.0501, 66.08.030.

Other Authority: RCW 66.44.010, 70.155.150, 70.345.020.

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: WSLCB has the authority and responsibility to adopt rules for the preservation of public health. The immediate readoption of a rule establishing summary license suspension and petition for stay provisions is necessary for the enforcement of governor's proclamations issued as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

On February 29, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-05 that confirmed the person-to-person spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Washington state, and proclaimed a State of Emergency for all counties throughout the state of Washington based on the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States.

On March 16, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-13 that imposed statewide limits on food and beverage services, and areas of congregation to limit opportunities for disease exposure and transmission in the state. Proclamation 20-13 was based on both guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the size of gatherings from two hundred fifty persons to fifty persons, and the necessity to prohibit any number of people from congregating in public venues for the purposes of entertainment, recreation, food or beverage service, theater, bowling or other similar activities.

On March 23, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-25, entitled, "Stay Home - Stay Healthy," that among other things, imposed limits on conducting or participating in essential activities and employment in essential activities, temporarily prohibited certain public and private gatherings, and established a list of essential and nonessential businesses in Washington state. Nonessential businesses were prohibited from operation except for performing basic minimum operations. Essential businesses were encouraged to remain open and maintain operations.

On November 15, 2020, Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-25.8, amending Proclamations 20-05 and 20-25 et seq. entitled "Safe Start - Stay Healthy" county-by-county phased reopening. Proclamation 20-25.8 extends and amends the four-phase plan for opening the state of Washington, and incorporates issued amendatory proclamations, including 20-13.

Establishments licensed by the board are subject to the restrictions of Governor's Proclamations 20-05, 20-13, and 20-25. Although some establishments licensed by the board are considered essential, others are not or are subject to specific limitations.

These emergency rules serve a two-pronged purpose. These rules:

These rules may be extended, rescinded, or considered for inclusion in adopted rules at a later date as appropriate.

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 the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, 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 2, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

Date Adopted: November 18, 2020.


•	Allow the board to serve an order of summary license suspension after a preliminary staff investigation indicates that a liquor, tobacco, or vapor product licensee has violated any governor's proclamation issued as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, and that immediate cessation of licensed activities are necessary for the presentation of public health and welfare; and
•	Provide a framework and process for an affected WSLCB licensee to petition the board for a stay of summary suspension, consistent with the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.

WAC 314-12-250Summary license suspension.

(1) The board may serve an order of summary suspension of any license under this Title 314 WAC after the board's enforcement division has:

(a) Completed a preliminary staff investigation of a violation of a governor's proclamation; and

(b) Upon a determination that immediate cessation of the licensed activities is necessary for the protection or preservation of the public health, safety, or welfare.

(2) Suspension of any license under this section is effective twenty-four hours after personal service of the summary suspension order on the licensee or employee thereof, unless the licensee becomes compliant as provided in the order before the expiration of the twenty-four hour period.

(3) When a license has been summarily suspended by the board, an adjudicative proceeding 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, then a hearing will be held within ninety calendar days of the effective date of the summary suspension ordered by the board. The ninety day period may be extended for good cause.

WAC 314-12-275Petition for stay.

(1) When the board summarily suspends a license under WAC 314-12-250, an affected licensee may petition the board for a stay of suspension. A petition for a stay of suspension must be received by the board within ten calendar days of service of the summary suspension order on the licensee. The petition for stay must clearly describe the basis for the stay.

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

(3) Any hearing conducted under subsection (2) of this section will be a brief adjudicative proceeding under RCW 34.05.485. The agency record for the hearing must consist of the documentary information upon which the summary suspension was based. The licensee is permitted to supplement the record with additional documentation during the brief adjudicative proceeding. The licensee must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that:

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

(b) Without relief, the licensee will suffer irreparable injury. For purposes of this section, income alone from licensed activities is not deemed irreparable injury;

(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 is effective immediately upon service unless another date is specified in the order.