HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1127

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Valle, Heavey, Raiter and Crane)

Specifying persons to whom liquor may be sold by clubs holding class H liquor licenses.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Vekich, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Patrick, Ranking Republican Member; Jones, R. King, Leonard, Prentice, Smith, Walker and Wolfe.

House Staff:Joan Elgee (786-7166)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 15, 1989

BACKGROUND:

By policy, the Liquor Control Board posts a notice of liquor license application at locations for which an application has been made.

A class H liquor license, which authorizes the sale of spirits by the glass, beer, and wine, may be issued to restaurants, clubs, and other entities specified by law.  To obtain a license, a club must have been in continuous operation for at least one year and be managed and operated to the satisfaction of the board.  By rule, the board has specified that clubs may sell liquor only to members, guests, and visitors.  These terms are further defined in rule.  The annual fee for a class H club license is $700.

SUMMARY:

The Liquor Control Board shall post notice of application and reapplication for a liquor license at the location where the business will be conducted.

A club holding a class H liquor license may sell liquor to 1) members; 2) guests; 3) visitors, when accompanied by a member while within the club; 4) persons with club member privileges due to reciprocity between affiliated clubs; 5) persons specifically invited to attend a private party sponsored and paid for by a member.  The sponsor must submit a written guest list at least 24 hours in advance, 6) persons attending a private luncheon or banquet sponsored by a member.  At least one quarter of the persons attending must be members or their spouses or children, or persons with club member privileges due to reciprocity, or their spouses or children.  All persons attending must purchase a meal, and food sales must be at least 30 percent of food and liquor sales; and 7) other persons as determined by the board.  Clubs selling liquor to persons described in 5) and 6) must pay an additional annual fee of $300.

Fiscal Note:      Requested March 2, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.