HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                    ESSB 5712

Brief Description:  Regulating motel liquor licenses.

Sponsors:  Senators Prentice and Hale     

Hearing:  March 31, 1999

                 Brief Summary of Bill

CAllows a motel licensee to hold other liquor licenses.

CAllows a motel licensee to serve complimentary beer and wine to guests at a set time and place.

CEstablishes the motel license fee at $500 annually.

CChanges the definition of motel for purposes of this license.

BACKGROUND:

Motel Liquor License

The Liquor Control Board may issue a motel retail liquor license to a facility that offers three or more self contained units to travelers for overnight lodging.  The licensee may sell spirits, beer and wine in small containers through a locked honor bar located in the guest's room.  An honor bar is a cabinet or refrigerator secured by a lock to which the guest has access.  The honor bar must also contain snack foods.

A motel licensee may not hold any other liquor license.  Typically, a motel license is issued to a facility that does not have a restaurant on the premises.

A guest must be 21 years of age or older to use a room with an honor bar and must verify that no one under the age of 21 will have access to the liquor in the honor bar.

No more than half of the guest rooms in a licensee's facility may have honor bars.  The board sets the fee for this license.  The current fee is $300.  As of 1997, there was one motel licensee.

For purposes of a motel license, the term motel means a facility offering three or more self-contained units to travelers and transient guests.

Special Liquor Permit

The board may issue a special permit to allow a business not otherwise licensed by the board to serve liquor that is consumed on the business premises.  All liquor purchased by the business for this purpose must be purchased at retail from a licensed retailer.  Liquor provided to guests under this permit must be provided at no charge and in a specified location.

The permit is issued for one year and the permit fee is $500.

SUMMARY OF BILL: 

The restriction against a motel licensee holding any other liquor license is removed.

A motel license also allows the licensee to serve beer and wine by the individual serving to overnight guests without additional charge.  The service must be on a regular date, at a regular time and place as set by the board.  The beer and wine must be served by an employee who has received alcohol server training.  No self-service is authorized.

For purposes of the motel liquor license, the term motel means a facility offering three or more units to guests and licensed and regulated by the Department of Health.

The annual license fee is established by the Legislature rather than the board at $500.

RULES AUTHORITY:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule making powers of an agency.

FISCAL NOTE:   Available

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of a session in which bill is passed.