HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                     HB 2847

Brief Description:  Making technical changes regarding designations for liquor licenses.

Sponsors:  Representatives McMorris and Conway; by request of Liquor Control Board.

                  Hearing:  February 4, 1998

BACKGROUND:

In 1997, legislation was enacted that changes the designation of liquor licenses from letters of the alphabet to a business description for each license.  The law becomes effective July 1, 1998. 

A class H liquor license is changed to a full service restaurant license.  Under this license, a restaurant may serve beer, wine and spirits by the drink for consumption on the restaurant=s premises. 

Class A and C licenses allow beer and wine to be served by the glass on the restaurant premises. This combination of licenses has become a limited service restaurant license.  Under this license, a restaurant may serve beer and wine by the drink for consumption on the restaurant=s premises.

The term wholesaler is changed to distributer.

SUMMARY OF BILL:

The license designation Afull service@ is changed to Aspirits, beer and wine@.  The license designation Alimited service@ is changed to Abeer and/or wine@.

Consistent with changes in license designations that will become effective July 1, 1998, additional references to a wholesaler are changed to distributor and brewer is changed to a brewery.

RULES AUTHORITY:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule making powers of an agency.

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

EFFECTIVE DATE:   The bill takes effect July 1, 1998.