SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5560

As Passed Senate, March 7, 2003

Title: An act relating to the prohibition of sales of alcohol on university grounds.

Brief Description: Regarding the sale of liquor on grounds of institutions of higher education.

Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, Keiser, Horn and Kohl-Welles; by request of University of Washington.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/12/03, 2/14/03 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/7/03, 41-8.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background: Current law provides that it is unlawful to sell liquor on the grounds of the University of Washington, except at the faculty center.

Summary of Bill: The prohibition on alcohol sales at the University of Washington is repealed. If an institution of higher education chooses to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on campus, the Legislature encourages the institution to feature products produced in the state of Washington.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The Burke Museum would like to be able to have a no-host bar at its events. Currently, the museum can give away wine at events. Having a no-host bar would allow the Burke to recover more of its costs. The Burke would still need to get permission from the University to serve wine, and would also need to get a permit from the Liquor Control Board. The University of Washington is the only university in the state with such a prohibition in law.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Dennis Martynouyeh, UW Burke Museum (pro); Amy Bell, University of Washington (pro).