SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1495

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, April 2, 2003

Title: An act relating to the summary suspension of a liquor license pending revocation proceedings.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to the summary suspension of a liquor license pending revocation proceedings.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Hudgins, Chandler, Conway and Kenney; by request of Liquor Control Board).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 4/2/03 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Honeyford, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; Franklin, Keiser and Mulliken.

Staff: Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background: The Liquor Control Board must provide an opportunity for a hearing prior to the suspension of a permit or license, unless the board finds that public health, safety, or welfare require emergency action. In the case of an emergency, the board may summarily suspend a license or permit for up to 30 days without a prior hearing.

Summary of Amended Bill: The board may summarily suspend a license or permit for up to 180 days without a prior hearing if it finds that public health, safety, or welfare require emergency action.

The board must complete a preliminary staff investigation of the violation before requesting an emergency suspension.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill: The board must complete a preliminary staff investigation of the violation before requesting an emergency suspension.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill is in response to emergency situations the Liquor Control Board has encountered.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Hudgins, prime sponsor (pro).