Brief Description: Modifying liquor licensing provisions.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Hewitt, McAuliffe, Honeyford and Eide).

Hearing Date: 2/19/04

Staff: Susan Kavanaugh (786-7106).

Background:

Restaurants that are licensed by the Liquor Control Board (Board) to sell either beer and wine only or hard liquor also may obtain a caterer's endorsement that permits them to sell these alcoholic beverages off the licensed premises at special event locations. Events must be either sponsored by a non-profit society, in which case the public may attend, or limited to members and their guests.

Under Washington's three-tier liquor control system, caterers, like other licensed retailers, are prohibited from operating on property owned by a manufacturer, importer or distributor of alcoholic beverages. This means caterers cannot operate on the premises of a winery, brewery or distillery.

Summary of Bill:

Caterers that have an endorsement permitting them to sell either beer and wine or hard liquor also may sell on the premises of a Washington winery under the following conditions:

•    Agreements between the winery and the caterer are in writing, filed with the Board, and do not contain exclusivity clauses regarding alcohol to be served; and

•    The event sponsors have separate contracts with the winery and the caterer, and pay them separately for their services.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.