SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1805

As of February 21, 2014

Title: An act relating to culinary class wine restaurant specialty licenses.

Brief Description: Concerning culinary class wine restaurant specialty licenses.

Sponsors: House Committee on Government Accountability & Oversight (originally sponsored by Representatives Hansen, Haler, Nealey and Appleton).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/03/14, 92-3.

Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 2/21/14.

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: The Liquor Control Board (Board) issues a number of types of liquor licenses. A beer and wine restaurant license allows the sale of beer and wine for consumption on the premises. A patron of the licensee may remove from the premises any unconsumed portion of wine that was purchased for consumption with a meal.

A beer and wine restaurant licensee may also apply for a caterer's endorsement to the license that allows the licensee to sell and serve beer and wine at event locations at specified dates and places, subject to certain conditions established by the Board. The caterer's endorsement also allows the licensee to sell and serve alcohol at domestic wineries and on passenger vessels, and to store alcohol at another entity's premises under certain conditions.

Before the Board issues any type of new or renewal license, it must comply with certain procedures. It must give due consideration to the location of the business to be conducted under the license with respect to proximity of churches, schools, and public institutions. The Board must also provide written notice to the chief executive officer of the city, county, or town.

Summary of Bill: A culinary class specialty license is created, under which the licensee may sell the following: (1) wine by the glass or bottle to culinary class participants for consumption on the premises to accompany food prepared as part of the culinary class; (2) wine by the bottle to the public for consumption off the premises; and (3) wine by the glass or bottle for consumption during off-site special events, under certain conditions.

For off-site events, the licensee may sell and serve at event locations at specified dates and places. The licensee must provide to the Board all requested information concerning the event. A licensee may also engage in culinary class activities at a domestic winery or on a passenger vessel under certain conditions. Servers must have valid alcohol server permits.

Culinary class means a class offered by an establishment that is substantially engaged in teaching cooking techniques and/or wine appreciation for a fee.

The licensee may furnish wine to the licensee's employees free of charge for the purposes of instruction on such things as the nature, characteristics, and handling of wine.

The annual license fee is $550. The Board may adopt rules to implement the special license.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

[OFM requested ten-year cost projection pursuant to I-960.]

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: OTHER: The Board can provide more details and guidance for this license through its rules.

Persons Testifying: OTHER: Alan Rathbun, Liquor Control Board.