Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 1951

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

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

Brief Summary of Bill

$Creates an endorsement to permit certain license holders to sell limited wines for off-premises consumption.

Hearing Date: 

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

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 and a private club 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 and private clubs contract with domestic wineries to produce a limited number of bottled wines bearing a label exclusive to the restaurant or private club.  These private label wines may be sold in speciality and retail shops, however, under existing law the restaurant or private club without a separate retail license may not sell these wines.

Summary of Bill: 

An endorsement is available to holders of two types of licenses: 1) A restaurant spirits, beer, and wine license; and 2) a private club spirits, beer, and wine license.  The endorsement permits the license holder to sell wine for off-premises consumption.  Bottled wine sold under the endorsement must bear a label exclusive to the license holder, and are limited to domestic wine, and sparkling wine from California.  The annual fee for the endorsement is $120.

Rules Authority:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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