HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                     SB 6539

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

Sponsors:  Senators Schow and Heavey.

                  Hearing:  February 19, 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 distributor.

SUMMARY OF BILL:

The license designation "full service" is changed to "spirits, beer and wine".  The license designation "limited service" is changed to "beer 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.