Brief Description: Concerning the processing of liquor licenses.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Parlette and Keiser; by request of Liquor Control Board).

Hearing Date: 2/15/06

Staff: Lara Zarowsky (786-7119).

Background:

The Liquor Control Board (Board) controls the sale and distribution of alcohol by issuing licenses and enforcing laws related to the sale of alcohol. Liquor licenses are issued by the Board in accordance with state law and rules adopted by the Board.

Notice and Comment

The Board must send notice of an application to the city, town or county within which a liquor license is to issue. The Board must also notify by certified mail all churches, schools and public institutions within 500 feet of the premises for which a license is to issue. The term "public institutions" is not defined, and has been interpreted to include post offices, fire stations, and state agencies.

Distance from Public Schools

No liquor license shall issue to a retail premises within 500 feet of a public elementary or secondary school, with the distance measured from the outer property line of the school to the nearest public entrance of the premises proposed for licensure.

Temporary Licenses

A temporary licence may be issued to an applicant with a pending application, for purposes of continuing the operation of a retail premises, provided that the premises has operated under a retail license within 90 days of filing the temporary license application.

The Board is authorized to renew a temporary license for one 60-day period.

Residency

A person must reside in the state for at least one month prior to submitting an application for a retail license of any kind.

Summary of Bill:

Various changes are made to RCW 66.24.010 related to processing liquor licenses:

Notice and Comment

The Board is authorized to extend the time period within which a city, town or county may file a written objection to an application.

The Board is required to send notice of an application using receipt verification to all churches, schools, and public institutions within 500 feet of the premises to be licensed. The term "public institutions" is defined to include only institutions of higher education, parks, community centers, libraries, and transit centers.

Distance from Public Schools
                                                                     
No liquor license shall issue to a retail premises within 500 feet of a public elementary or secondary school, with the distance measured from the main entrance of a public school to the nearest public entrance of the premises proposed for licensure.

Temporary Licenses

The Board is authorized to issue a temporary license for use on a premises not previously licensed to sell alcohol, and to renew temporary licenses at its discretion for periods of 60 days.

Residency            

A person must reside in the state for at least one month prior to receiving a license. The board may process an application, but not issue a license, for an applicant who has not resided in the state for at least one month.

Rules Authority: The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 13, 2006.

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