FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1951

C 199 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Allowing restaurants and private clubs to sell wine for off‑premises consumption.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Clements, B. Chandler, G. Chandler, Lisk and Mulliken.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions

Background:

The Liquor Control Board issues a variety of licenses under its regulatory scheme.  Generally, licenses fall into four categories:  manufacture, distribution, retail sales, and by-the-drink sales.  Liquor by-the-drink licenses include a restaurant spirits, beer, and wine license, a private club spirits, beer, and wine license, and a sports/entertainment facility spirits, beer, and wine license.  These licenses do not authorize the sale of liquor for off-premises consumption.

The board also issues endorsements to existing licenses.  Endorsements grant additional specific privileges to license holders, usually for an additional fee.  These additional privileges may include an authorization to sell liquor for off-premises consumption under limited circumstances.

Occasionally, restaurants, private clubs, and other licensees contract with domestic wineries to produce a limited number of bottled wines bearing a label exclusive to the licensee.  Specialty and general retail shops may sell these wines for off-premises consumption.  Restaurants, private clubs, and entertainment facilities, however, may not sell these wines for off-premises consumption unless they hold a separate retail license.

Summary:

The Liquor Control Board may issue an endorsement allowing restaurants, private clubs, and sports/entertainment facilities holding a spirits, beer, and wine license to sell domestic wine for off-premises consumption.  Bottled wines sold under the endorsement must bear a label exclusive to the license holder.  The annual fee for the endorsement is $120.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate433(Senate amended)

House890(House concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001