HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2368

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to class H liquor licenses at civic or convention centers.

Brief Description:  Expanding the granting of class H liquor licenses at civic or convention centers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Elliot, Regala and R. Fisher.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  1/31/96, 2/1/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives McMorris, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Romero, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cairnes; Cody; Cole; Fuhrman; Goldsmith; Horn and Lisk.

Staff:  Pam Madson (786-7166).

Background:  Current law allows publicly-owned civic centers to serve alcohol through Class H licensees who operate at least one dining place in the facility.  The dining place must offer full meal service.  The civic center must have facilities for sports, entertainment, or conventions.  If liquor is served at more than one place, the Class H license may be extended to additional locations on the premises of the facility.

Summary of Bill:  Use of a Class H liquor license to serve alcohol at publicly-owned civic centers is extended to privately-owned civic or convention centers with facilities for sports, entertainment, and conventions.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  When convention center facilities were created, they were public facilities.  Because of the statutory restriction allowing only public civic centers to hold a Class H license, privately-owned convention centers could not hold a liquor license.  The group that rents the facility has to obtain the liquor license.  That leaves the control and oversight of liquor service to the renter and not the owner of the facility. The facilities have kitchens capable of providing food service.  Without the ability to obtain a Class H liquor license, the privately-owned facility may provide food service, but the group renting the facility must provide the alcohol service.  This bill will allow the convention facility to provide liquor service and oversee the use of alcohol at the event.  There are a limited number of these facilities in the state at the present time.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Carter Mitchell, Washington State Liquor Control Board; and Kevin Phelps, Tacoma Landmark Convention Center.