SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1902

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Commerce, Labor & Sports, March 23, 2017

Title: An act relating to tavern licenses.

Brief Description: Modifying tavern license provisions.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Gaming (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby, Vick and Doglio).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/07/17, 95-2.

Committee Activity: Commerce, Labor & Sports: 3/23/17, 3/23/17 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Authorizes the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) to issue a caterer's endorsement to a tavern licensee allowing the licensee to sell and serve liquors taken from its own stocks at specified events at locations other than from the licensed premises of the tavern, subject to specified conditions.

  • Authorizes a licensee with the endorsement to store liquor on the unlicensed premises of another party with whom it has an agreement to provide ongoing catering services.

  • Authorizes a licensee with the endorsement to store liquor on one or more off-site locations provided such locations are owned or controlled by the licensee under a lease.

  • Authorizes a licensee with the endorsement to cater events at a domestic winery.

  • Authorizes a licensee, or its manager, to furnish beer or wine to the licensee's employees free of charge for use in connection with instruction on beer and wine.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, LABOR & SPORTS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Keiser, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Hasegawa, Rossi, Saldaña and Wilson.

Staff: Richard Rodger (786-7461)

Background: Tavern Licensees. The LCB is authorized to issue a tavern license that allows the licensee to sell beer and wine at retail for consumption on the premises. Tavern customers must be 21 years of age or older. The annual fee schedule for a tavern is as follows: (1) $200 for the beer license; and (2) $200 for the wine license.

Definition of Society or Organization. Under the liquor licensing statutes, the terms society or organization refers to a nonprofit group organized and operated: (1) solely for charitable, religious, social, political, educational, civic, fraternal, athletic, or benevolent purposes; or (2) a local wine industry association registered under specific provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

Summary of Bill: Caterer's Endorsement - General Provisions. The LCB is authorized to issue a caterer's endorsement (endorsement) to a tavern licensee (licensee) allowing the licensee to sell and serve liquors taken from its own stocks at specified locations other than the licensed premises of the tavern. Except for specified events held on the premises of a domestic winery, the events must take place at a location not otherwise licensed for the sale or service of liquor. The fee for the endorsement is $350.

A licensee with the endorsement is subject to the following provisions and requirements with respect to providing service at catered events:

Catering at Domestic Winery Events. The catering of an event at a domestic winery is subject to the following conditions and requirements:

Liquor Storage Provisions. A licensee with the endorsement may store liquor on the premises of another party or entity not holding a liquor license, but is subject to the following provisions and requirements:

A licensee with the endorsement may store liquor on one or more other premises operated by the licensee so long as the other premises are owned or controlled under a leasehold interest by that licensee. A duplicate license may be issued for each additional location. A license fee of $20 is required for such duplicate licenses. The LCB may establish rules establishing conditions for these off-premises liquor storage provisions.

Furnishing of Beer or Wine to Tavern Employees. A licensee, or its manager, may furnish beer or wine to the licensee's employees free of charge for use in connection with instruction on beer and wine. The instruction may include the history, nature, values, and characteristics of beer or wine, the use of wine lists, and the methods of presenting, serving, storing, and handling beer or wine.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill allows taverns to obtain a caterer's endorsement under the same provisions as currently authorized for restaurants. This will allow taverns to expand their markets and increase their revenues. The use of licensed caterers will increase public safety as the servers are trained in the service of alcohol, monitor the levels of consumption, and check for proper identification. We do not want to serve food, but just serve our craft beers. The bill give our organization another option for providing catering services at our private events.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Lisa Russell-Tutty, Northwest Beerwerks; Brad Tower, Northwest Beerworks; Scott Roberts, Freedom Foundation.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.