FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2794

C 63 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Allowing licensees to pay for liquor using debit and credit cards.

Sponsors: By Representatives Condotta and Wood.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

House Committee on Finance

Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade

Background:

Washington operates 154 liquor stores directly and contracts with vendors to operate an additional 157. Spirits (hard liquor) may be sold only in these stores.

In 1997, the Legislature authorized purchases at state-operated liquor stores by individual consumers (anyone other than a licensee) using credit or debit cards. The legislation also permitted vendor-operated liquor stores to accept credit and debit cards from non-licensees. The following year, the Legislature directed the Liquor Control Board (Board) to pay for acquisition and maintenance of credit card machines at liquor stores through the Liquor Revolving Fund.

There are 3,056 restaurants licensed by the Board to sell beer, wine, and spirits for on-premises consumption. In the absence of authority to use credit and debit cards, restaurants and other organizations licensed by the Board either pay cash for purchases from state liquor stores or enter into a check signing agreement with the Board.

Summary:

Restaurants and other organizations licensed by the Board may use credit or debit cards for liquor store purchases.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 93  3

Senate 46  2

Effective: June 10, 2004