HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1855

As Passed House:

March 12, 2001

Title:  An act relating to liquor by the drink at special events at restricted clubs.

Brief Description:  Allowing private clubs to serve liquor at special events.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Hunt, Conway, Clements, Ericksen, Pennington and Kenney.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  2/23/01, 2/26/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/12/01, 98-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Licensed private clubs may purchase an endorsement to allow member-sponsored events at which club liquor may be served to guests.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Clements, Republican Co‑Chair; Conway, Democratic Co‑Chair; B. Chandler, Republican Vice Chair; Wood, Democratic Vice Chair; Hunt, Kenney, Lisk and McMorris.

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background:

The Liquor Control Board may issue a restaurant spirits, beer, and wine license to a business that qualifies as a restaurant but does not serve the general public.  Examples include private country clubs and social clubs where admission is restricted by membership.  Clubs may purchase alcohol from the board and sell liquor by-the-drink to club members and guests, but may not serve the general public.

Summary of Bill:

Restricted private clubs holding a restaurant spirits, beer, and wine license may purchase an endorsement allowing for up to 40 member-sponsored events each year at which alcohol may be served to guests.  The general public may not be served, and guests may attend by invitation of sponsoring members only.  The annual cost of the endorsement is $900.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  In 1998 non-profit clubs were granted this same privilege.  A member-sponsored event at a private club requires obtaining a special banquet permit for each event.  Non-profit clubs don=t need the special banquet permit because of the endorsement created by the 1998 legislation.  This bill makes available to private clubs the same endorsement available to non-profit clubs to allow member-sponsored events where club liquor can be served to invited guests.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (In favor) Tony Meinhardt, Washington State Federation of Clubs.

(Neutral) Chuck Dalrymple, Liquor Control Board.