Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee
HB 2035
Brief Description: Increasing license, permit, and endorsement fees.
Sponsors: Representative Lekanoff.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the fees on almost all liquor licenses, permits, and endorsements by 50 percent.
Hearing Date: 3/17/25
Staff: Matt Mazur-Hart (786-7139).
Background:

A liquor license, permit, or endorsement is required for businesses and organizations to sell, manufacture, distribute, store, or provide alcohol in Washington State.  There are different types of licenses, permits, and endorsements available, depending on the type of organization, the type of liquor being sold, and the location where it is sold.  Some licenses are onetime permits that allow an organization or business to sell alcohol at a particular event.  Other licenses allow an organization to sell alcohol throughout the year at a place of business.

 

Each license, permit, and endorsement has an associated fee that ranges from $5 to $2,500.  Some of the fees are set in statute and some are set in rule by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB).  The LCB issues all the licenses, permits, and endorsements.  They also collect the associated fees for each license type and deposit the funds into the Liquor Revolving Account.
Summary of Bill:

Almost all liquor license, permit, and endorsement fees that are set in statute are increased by 50 percent.

 

The LCB is directed to increase any liquor license, permit, or endorsement fees set by the LCB in rule by 50 percent.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 9, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.