FINAL BILL REPORT

EHB 1395

C 345 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the catering of alcoholic beverages at events by nonprofit organizations.

Sponsors: By Representatives Sullivan, Bailey, Wood, Chandler and Pflug.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade

Background:

The Liquor Control Board licenses and controls the distribution of alcohol in Washington. A licenses is required to serve alcohol to the public.

Restaurants may apply for licenses to serve beer, wine, and spirits for on-premises consumption. These licensees may obtain a catering endorsement to serve alcohol away from their permanent places of business. A catering endorsement allows a licensee to serve and sell alcohol at "special occasions." A special occasion is a single event sponsored by a group or individual.

Under a catering endorsement, licensees may not serve alcohol at special occasions open to the public. The licensee may serve and sell alcohol at special occasions attended only by members and guests of nonprofit organizations.

If attendance at a special occasion is by invitation only, the event need not be sponsored by a nonprofit organization.

Summary:

Restaurant liquor license holders with a catering endorsement may sell alcohol for on-premises consumption at events open to the public as long as the event is hosted by a nonprofit organization.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 97  0

Senate 45  4

Effective: July 27, 2003