Brief Description: Concerning liquor licenses issued to entities providing concession services on ferries.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Poulsen, Kohl-Welles and Rockefeller).

Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development
House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background: The entity with whom the Washington State Ferries contracts to provide concession services on a state ferry must obtain a liquor license in order to serve alcohol on the vessel. The Liquor Control Board requires that a separate license be issued for each vessel upon which alcohol will be served. If the vessel for which the license is issued is out of commission and a substitute vessel is brought in temporarily, the entity providing concession services cannot serve alcohol on the substitute vessel.

Summary: If a beer and/or wine restaurant license is issued to a person who contracts with the Washington state ferry system to provide food and alcohol services on a designated ferry route, the license shall cover any vessel assigned to that route.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      37   6
House      72   24

Effective: June 7, 2006