HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1068

Title:  An act relating to possession of liquor in certain buildings on the state capitol campus.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting liquor in certain state buildings.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sterk, D. Sommers, Boldt, Smith and Van Luven.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  It is generally against the law to consume alcohol "in a public place."  Doing so, unless under circumstances specifically exempted by the state liquor code, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100.  (RCW 66.44.100) 

The liquor code defines a public place to include, among other places, public streets, roads, alleys, highways, buildings, and meeting halls "which are open to and generally used by the public and to which the public is permitted to have unrestricted access."  This definition also includes "all other places of like or similar nature to which the general public has unrestricted right of access, and which are generally used by the public."   (RCW 66.04.010(23))

Concern has been expressed that this prohibition against alcohol in public places does not extend to buildings on the capitol campus.

Summary of Bill:  The possession or consumption of liquor is prohibited in three buildings on the west state capitol campus.  These buildings are the Legislative Building, the John L. O'Brien Building and the John A. Cherberg Building.

A violation of this prohibition is an infraction subject to a fine of  $250.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

                 Office of Program Research