Brief Description: Increasing the number of days certain fairs can use the special occasion liquor license.

Sponsors: Senators Hewitt, Deccio, Hale, Doumit, Rasmussen, Honeyford and Mulliken.

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House Committee)

• Allows county and area agricultural fairs to, once a year, count as one event a multi-day fair for the purpose of the 12 day per year limit on special occasion licensees serving alcohol.

• Provides that, if an application for a special occasion liquor license is for a fair held on property or premises owned by a county, but located within a city or town, notice of the application is given to both the county and the city or town legislative authority.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; McMorris, Ranking Minority Member; Condotta, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse, Holmquist, Kenney and McCoy.

A not-for-profit society or organization may obtain a special occasion liquor license to sell spirits, beer, and wine by the individual serving, for on-premises consumption at a specified date and time. With prior permission from the Liquor Control Board (Board), an organization with a special occasion license may also sell beer and wine in original unopened containers for off-premises consumption. The fee for a special occasion license is $60 per day. Sales under this license are limited to 12 calendar days per year.

The Department of Agriculture's rules require that in order to receive an allocation from the State Fair Fund, an agricultural fair must promote Washington agriculture. While most Washington fairs do not serve alcohol, the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima includes wine tasting, and several other fairs serve beer during their rodeos.

The Board is required to give notice of application for a liquor license within an incorporated city or town to the legislative authority of the city or town. Notice of a liquor license application in an unincorporated area must be sent to the legislative authority of the county government. Cities, towns, and counties have 20 days after receipt of notice to file any objections with the Board. The Board has the discretion to decide whether to hold a hearing on any objections filed.

Special occasion licensees that are agricultural area, county, or district fairs may, once a calendar year, count fairs that last multiple days as one event. Fairs may do this only if alcohol sales are at set dates, times, and locations, and the Board is notified in advance of those dates, times, and locations. Fairs still pay $60 per actual day for the special occasion liquor license.

If an application for a special occasion liquor license is for a fair held on property or premises owned by a county but located within an incorporated city or town, the Board is required to give notice of the application to both the county and the city or town legislative authority. Likewise, in this situation, a copy of any special occasion liquor license granted must be sent to both the county and city or town governments.

A requirement is added that the Board notify both county and city or town legislative authorities of a special occasion liquor license application if the application is for a fair held on property or premises owned by a county but located within the boundaries of a city or town. Likewise added is a requirement that, in this situation, a copy of any special occasion liquor license granted be sent to both the county and the city or town governments.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.