Brief Description: Increasing the duration a liquor license can be summarily suspended.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford and Keiser; by request of Liquor Control Board).

Hearing Date: 3/20/03

Staff: Matt Cooper (786-7106).

Background:

The Liquor Control Board (Board) licenses and controls the sale and distribution of alcohol in Washington. The Board also enforces laws related to the sale of alcohol.

The Board may summarily suspend a liquor license and require the licensee to stop serving alcohol for up to 30 days without a prior hearing if it finds that health, safety, and welfare of the public requires immediate action. The Board has established rules for summarily suspending the license of an establishment involved in serious criminal activity. When the Board summarily suspends a license, the licensee may request a hearing on the issue. 

When the summary suspension expires, regardless of whether or not a hearing has been held, the licensee may return to serving alcohol.

Summary of Bill:

Allows the Liquor Control Board (Board) to summarily suspend a liquor license for up to 180 days after a preliminary investigation by the Board's investigative division.

Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of the Board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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