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).

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development
House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background: The Liquor Control Board (LCB) has authority to issue temporary licenses for 60 days which allows the applicant to sell liquor pending the processing of the permanent license. Under the current language, it is not clear whether the temporary license can be issued for premises not previously licensed to sell liquor.

For every license application, the LCB is required to notify local government and certain entities (schools, churches, and public institutions) located within 500 feet of the premises that an application for a liquor license has been received. These entities have 20 days to submit written comment, including objections to the issuance of the license.

The term "public institution" is not defined in statute and has been broadly interpreted to apply to post offices, fire stations, and state agencies in addition to schools and higher education institutions.

The statute currently requires that written notice to schools, churches, and public institutions be sent by certified mail.

The LCB is prohibited from accepting an application from a sole proprietor until he or she has resided in Washington for at least 30 days. It usually takes longer than 30 days to process an application.

Summary: The LCB can issue a temporary liquor license to operate licensed premises to an operator who was not previously licensed or who is not continuing the operation of a previously licensed facility.

The LCB may extend the 20 day time period for submitting written objections to the issuance of a liquor license.

The LCB must provide notice to schools whose main entrances, rather than the boundary, are within 500 feet of the establishment applying for a license.

The term "public institution" is clarified to include higher education institutions, parks, community centers, libraries, and transit centers.

The LCB must provide notice of the issuance of a liquor license with some kind of receipt verification.

A sole proprietor must reside in Washington for 30 days prior to receiving a liquor license.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      98   0   (House amended)
Senate      48   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006