SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6362

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Commerce & Trade, January 29, 2004

Title: An act relating to the issuance of liquor licenses.

Brief Description: Revising procedures for issuing liquor licenses.

Sponsors: Senators Doumit, Deccio, T. Sheldon and Swecker.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 1/29/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Jennifer Strus (786-7316)

Background: Before the Liquor Control Board (LCB) issues a liquor license, it must notify (a) the chief executive officer of the incorporated city or town if the application is for a license within an incorporated city or town or (b) the county legislative authority if the application is for a license outside the boundaries of incorporated cities or towns. The cities, towns or county legislative authorities, as the case may be, who are notified of a liquor license application may file written objections with the LCB within a certain time period.

Summary of Bill: If an application for a liquor license is for property or premises owned by a county but located within an incorporated city or town, the notice of the application is only given to the county legislative authority. The LCB must only consider the written objections filed by the county legislative authority (not the city or town) in situations in which the liquor license is for county-owned property or premises located within an incorporated city or town.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Allowing a county to obtain a liquor license for fairgrounds located within the city or town boundaries provides much needed revenue to the fairgrounds. This money is often used for the upkeep of the grounds and buildings. All other fairgrounds in this state, even if located within a city or town, have gotten liquor licenses and have not experienced any problems.

Testimony Against: Cities should be heard when a liquor license is granted to a county for fairgrounds because there are local expenses (law enforcement) that are affected by the granting of a liquor license. The Liquor Control Board should be able to hear from all people, citizens, counties, and cities who may have an objection to license being granted.

Testified: PRO: Heather Hansen, Washington State Fairs Association; Senator Mark Doumit, prime sponsor; Yvonne Knuth, Washington State Fairs Association; CON: Rick Garza, Liquor Control Board; CONCERNS: Jim Justin, Association of Washington Cities.