Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-08-109.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 314-42-020 Appearance and practice before the board -- Who may appear, 314-42-025 Appearances in certain proceedings may be limited to attorneys, 314-42-030 Appearance by former employees of the board or former member of the attorney general's staff, 314-42-040 Practice and procedure, 314-42-045 Service of process -- Filing with the agency, 314-42-050 Subpoenas -- Fees, 314-42-060 Depositions upon interrogatories -- Submission of interrogatories, 314-42-065 Official notice -- Material facts, 314-42-070 Presumptions, 314-42-075 Stipulations and admissions of record, 314-42-080 Form and content of decisions in contested cases and proposed orders, 314-42-085 Written arguments, 314-42-090 Definition of issues before hearing, 314-42-100 How can a person petition other board for the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule?, 314-42-105 How can a person petition the board for a declaratory order?, 314-29-003 Purpose (what happens when a liquor law or rule is violated?), 314-29-005 What are the procedures for a licensee or a mandatory alcohol server training permit holder to be notified of an alleged violation of a board statute or rule?, and 314-29-010 What options does a license or permit holder have once he/she receives a notice of initial board action?

     Hearing Location(s): Liquor Control Board, Board Room, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on June 4, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: June 18, 2008.

     Submit Written Comments to: Pam Madson, P.O. Box 43080, Olympia, WA 98504-3080, e-mail rules@liq.wa.gov, fax (360) 704-4921, by June 10, 2008.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Pam Madson by June 10, 2008, TTY (800) 885-2880 or (360) 664-1648.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This proposal clarifies how liquor control board rules for administrative hearings differs from the processes outlined in the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and the model rules of procedure adopted by the office of administrative hearings. This proposal eliminates duplicative rules and keeps those rules that provide agency specific processes for the liquor control board. It further clarifies the process for licensees when their license is affected by an administrative violation.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: As part of an on-going review of agency rules, this proposal eliminates duplication with the APA and model rules applied to agency adjudicative proceedings and updates references within the remaining rules. Rules have been rewritten for clarity.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 66.08.030.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 66.24.010(3), chapter 35.04 RCW.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Washington state liquor control board, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Pam Madson, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 664-1648; Implementation and Enforcement: Pat Kohler, 3000 Pacific Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, (360) 664-1703.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No small business economic impact statement was prepared. This proposal imposes only minor impact on businesses in the industry.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. A cost-benefit analysis is not required.

April 9, 2008

Lorraine Lee

Chairman

OTS-1393.2

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.120. 03-09-015, § 314-29-003, filed 4/4/03, effective 5/5/03.]

     (2) The AVN notice will include:

     (a) A brief narrative description of the violation(s) the agent is charging;

     (b) The date(s) of the violation(s);

     (c) A copy of the law(s) and/or regulation(s) allegedly violated;

     (d) An outline of the licensee's or permit holder's options as outlined in WAC 314-29-010; and

     (e) The recommended penalty ((as follows:)).

     (i) ((For cases in which there are no aggravating circumstances as outlined in WAC 314-12-330 and 314-12-340 as now or hereafter amended,)) If the recommended penalty ((will be)) is the standard penalty ((as outlined in WAC 314-12-170 and 314-12-300 through WAC 314-12-320)), see WAC 314-29-020 through 314-29-035 for licensees, and ((in WAC 314-14-160 and 314-14-165)) WAC 314-17-100 and 314-17-105 for mandatory alcohol server training permit holders((, as now or hereafter amended)).

     (ii) For cases in which there are aggravating or mitigating circumstances ((as outlined in WAC 314-12-330 and 314-12-340 as now or hereafter amended, the agent will describe the circumstances in a report to the director of the enforcement and education division or the director of the licensing and regulation division. Under the provisions of WAC 314-12-330 and 314-12-340 as now or hereafter amended, the director of the education and enforcement division or the director of the licensing and regulation division may recommend a penalty other than the standard penalty outlined in WAC 314-12-170 and 314-12-300 through WAC 314-12-320)), the penalty may be adjusted from the standard penalty. See WAC 314-29-015 for licensees, and ((in WAC 314-14-160)) WAC 314-17-110 for mandatory alcohol server training permit holders((, as now or hereafter amended)) describing aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.44.010. 01-03-086, § 314-29-005, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01.]

     (a) Accept the recommended penalty; or

     (b) Request a settlement conference; or

     (c) Request an administrative hearing in writing.

     (2) What happens if a licensee or mandatory alcohol server training permit holder does not respond to the administrative violation notice within twenty days? If a licensee or permit holder does not respond to the administrative violation notice within twenty days, the recommended penalty will go into effect.

     (3) What are the procedures when a licensee or mandatory alcohol server training permit holder requests a settlement conference?

     (a) The captain or designee will contact the licensee or permit holder to discuss the violation. If the licensee or permit holder requests a settlement conference, the ((agent in charge)) captain or designee will schedule the conference.

     (b) Both the licensee or permit holder and the ((agent in charge)) captain or designee will discuss the circumstances surrounding the charge, the recommended penalty, and any aggravating or mitigating factors.

     (c) If a compromise is reached, the ((agent in charge)) captain or designee will prepare a proposed settlement agreement and will forward it to the board for approval.

     (i) If the board approves the compromise, a copy of the signed settlement agreement will be sent to the licensee or permit holder, and will conclude the case and become part of the licensing history.

     (ii) If the board does not approve the compromise, ((the board will notify)) the licensee or permit holder will be notified of the decision. The licensee or permit holder will be given the option of agreeing to any changes the board has made in the agreement, or of requesting an administrative hearing on the charges in writing within twenty days of receipt of the notice of board action.

     (d) If the licensee or permit holder and the ((agent in charge)) captain or designee cannot reach agreement on a settlement proposal, the licensee may accept the originally recommended penalty, or the ((agent in charge)) captain or designee will forward a request for an administrative hearing to the board's hearings coordinator.

     (((3) What are the procedures when a licensee or mandatory alcohol server training permit holder requests an administrative hearing?

     (a) If the licensee or permit holder requests an administrative hearing in writing within twenty days, it is conducted pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW (Washington Administrative Procedure Act).

     (b) The board's hearing coordinator will notify the assistant attorney general of the licensee's or permit holder's request for an administrative hearing.

     (c) The assistant attorney general will draft an administrative complaint and send it to the licensee or permit holder and to the office of administrative hearings.

     (d) The office of administrative hearings will schedule the hearing date, and notify the licensee or permit holder and his/her attorney and the assistant attorney general in writing of the hearing date, time, and location.

     (e) The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge assigned by the office of administrative hearings. Subpoenas may be issued by an attorney for any party, or by the assigned administrative law judge.

     (f) At the hearing, the assistant attorney general or a designee will present witnesses and other evidence on behalf of the board's enforcement staff.

     (g) At the hearing, the licensee or permit holder may be represented by an attorney or may choose to represent himself or herself. The licensee or permit holder or his/her attorney will be allowed to present witnesses or other relevant information.

     (4) What will happen after the administrative hearing?

     (a) Following the hearing, the administrative law judge will prepare an initial order and send it to the licensee or permit holder and the assistant attorney general.

     (b) Either the licensee or permit holder or the assistant attorney general may file a petition for review of the initial order with the liquor control board within twenty days of the date of service of the initial order. The petition for review must:

     (i) Specify the portions of the initial order to which exception is taken;

     (ii) Refer to the evidence of record which is relied upon to support the petition; and

     (iii) Be filed with the liquor control board within twenty days of the date of service of the petition.

     (iv) Copies of the reply must be mailed to all other parties or their representatives at the time the reply is filed.

     (c) The administrative record, the initial order, and any exceptions filed by the parties will be circulated to the board members for review.

     (d) Following this review, the board will enter a final order which is appealable under the provisions of RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598 (Washington Administrative Procedure Act).

     (5) What happens if a licensee or mandatory alcohol server training permit holder does not respond to the notice of initial board action within twenty days? If a licensee or permit holder does not respond to the notice of initial board action within twenty days, the recommended penalty will go into effect.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.44.010. 01-03-086, § 314-29-010, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01.]

OTS-1394.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 01-11-058, filed 5/11/01, effective 6/11/01)

WAC 314-42-030   ((Appearance by)) May a former employee of board or former member of attorney general's staff((.)) appear before the board and under what circumstances?   No former employee of the board or member of the attorney general's staff may ((at any time after severing his/her employment with the board or the attorney general)) appear((, except with the written permission of the board,)) in a representative capacity on behalf of other parties in a formal proceeding wherein he/she previously took an active part as a representative of the board unless the board grants permission in writing.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.44.010, 66.24.010(3), chapter 34.05 RCW. 01-11-058, § 314-42-030, filed 5/11/01, effective 6/11/01.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.44.010, 66.24.010(3), chapter 34.05 RCW. 01-11-058, § 314-42-040, filed 5/11/01, effective 6/11/01.]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.44.010, 66.24.010(3), chapter 34.05 RCW. 01-11-058, § 314-42-045, filed 5/11/01, effective 6/11/01.]

     (2) The board's hearing coordinator will notify the assistant attorney general of the licensee's or permit holder's request for an administrative hearing.

     (3) If the hearing concerns an administrative violation notice, the assistant attorney general will draft an administrative complaint and send it to the licensee or permit holder and to the office of administrative hearings.

     (4) The office of administrative hearings will schedule the hearing date, and notify the licensee or permit holder and his/her attorney and the assistant attorney general in writing of the hearing date, time, and location.

     (5) The hearing will be conducted by an administrative law judge assigned by the office of administrative hearings. Subpoenas may be issued by an attorney for any party, or by the assigned administrative law judge.

[]

     (2)(a) Either the licensee, permit holder, or the assistant attorney general may file a petition for review of the initial order with the liquor control board within twenty days of the date of service of the initial order. With notice to all parties the board may change the time for filing a petition for review of the initial order. The board may extend or shorten the filing time based on a voluntary stipulation of the parties or upon motion of a party that demonstrates a clear and convincing showing of exigent circumstances. The petition for review must:

     (i) Specify the portions of the initial order to which exception is taken; and

     (ii) Refer to the evidence of record which is relied upon to support the petition.

     (b) Within ten days after service of the petition for review, any party may file a reply with the liquor control board and copies of the reply must be mailed to all other parties or their representatives at the time the reply is filed.

     (3) The administrative record, the initial order, and any petitions for review and replies filed by the parties will be circulated to the board members for review.

     (4) Following this review, the board will enter a final order which is appealable under the provisions of RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598 (Washington Administrative Procedure Act). The board may issue a final order that differs from the initial order even though no party has filed a petition for review or reply.

[]

     (1) ((Continuity. That a fact of a continuous nature, proved to exist at a particular time, continues to exist as of the date of the presumption, if the fact is one which usually exists for at least that period of time;

     (2))) Identity. ((That)) Persons and objects of the same name and description are identical((;)).

     (((3))) (2) Delivery. ((Except in a proceeding where the liability of the carrier for nondelivery is involved, that)) Mail ((matter)), communications, express or freight, properly addressed, marked, billed and delivered ((respectively)) to the post office, ((telegraph, cable or radio company,)) or authorized common carrier of property with all postage((, tolls and charges)) properly prepaid, is or has been delivered to the addressee or consignee in the ordinary course of business((;)).

     (((4) Ordinary course. That a fact exists or does not exist, upon proof of the existence or nonexistence of another fact which in the ordinary and usual course of affairs, usually and regularly coexists with the fact presumed;

     (5) Acceptance of benefit. That a person for whom an act is done or to whom a transfer is made has, does or will accept same where it is clearly in his/her own self-interest to do so;

     (6))) (3) Interference with remedy. ((That)) Evidence, with respect to a material fact which in bad faith is destroyed, removed, suppressed or withheld by a party in control thereof, would if produced, corroborate the evidence of the adversary party with respect to such fact.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.44.010, 66.24.010(3), chapter 34.05 RCW. 01-11-058, § 314-42-070, filed 5/11/01, effective 6/11/01.]

     (2) When both arguments have been received, the ((hearing examiner)) administrative law judge shall deliver one of the copies of the licensee's argument to the board's attorney, and one copy of the board's argument shall be forwarded to the licensee or his/her attorney.

     (3) Unless a different time is fixed at the ((field)) hearing, written arguments must be filed within ten days after the conclusion of the taking of the testimony at the ((field)) hearing.

     (4) After the receipt of both written arguments, the ((hearing examiner)) administrative law judge shall ((render his/her written proposals)) issue an initial order which will be served on the licensee or his/her attorney and the attorney for the board.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.44.010, 66.24.010(3), chapter 34.05 RCW. 01-11-058, § 314-42-085, filed 5/11/01, effective 6/11/01.]

     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

WAC 314-42-020	Appearance and practice before the board -- Who may appear.
WAC 314-42-025	Appearance in certain proceedings may be limited to attorneys.
WAC 314-42-050	Subpoenas -- Fees.
WAC 314-42-060	Depositions upon interrogatories -- Submission of interrogatories.
WAC 314-42-065	Official notice -- Material facts.
WAC 314-42-075	Stipulations and admissions of record.
WAC 314-42-080	Form and content of decisions in contested cases and proposed orders.
WAC 314-42-090	Definition of issues before hearing.
WAC 314-42-100	How can a person petition the board for the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule?
WAC 314-42-105	How can a person petition the board for a declaratory order?

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office