SENATE BILL REPORT
ESB 5816
As Passed Senate, February 9, 2024
Title: An act relating to alcohol server permits.
Brief Description: Concerning alcohol server permits.
Sponsors: Senators Van De Wege, Trudeau, Mullet and Nguyen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 1/22/24, 1/29/24 [DP, w/oRec].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/9/24, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill
  • Modifies the provision allowing the Liquor and Cannabis Board to suspend or revoke an existing alcohol server permit of an applicant or permittee with a felony conviction to a felony conviction in specified statutes in the criminal code or a felony conviction directly related to alcohol service.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Braun, Hansen, MacEwen and Schoesler.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Stanford.
Staff: Madeline Ralstin (786-7356)
Background:

In Washington State there is an alcohol server permit, known as a class 12 permit, for managers, bartenders, and employees conducting alcohol deliveries for a licensee that delivers alcohol. There is also a class 13 permit for a person who only serves alcohol, spirits, wines, or beers for consumption at an on-premises licensed facility. These permits are issued by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).

 

Washington State law allows LCB to suspend or revoke an existing alcohol server permit if the applicant or permittee has been convicted of violating any of the Washington State or local intoxicating liquor laws or has been convicted at any time of a felony.
Summary of Engrossed Bill:

LCB may suspend or revoke an existing alcohol server permit if the applicant or permittee has been convicted of a felony in specified statutes in the criminal code or a felony directly related to alcohol service, rather than any felony conviction.
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: This bill makes the change that if you've had a prior felony conviction, you can still work in an alcohol establishment, as long as that felony conviction doesn't relate to alcohol. This bill allows people who have made mistakes earlier in their life to still be able to get a job. 

 

OTHER: There are almost no felonies related to alcohol service. There is only the third-offense of impersonating the state seal. People deserve a second chance and they should not be barred from employment due to a felony conviction. 
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kevin Van De Wege, Prime Sponsor.
OTHER: Marc Webster, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.