Before the passage of Initiative 1183, the Liquor Control Board was petitioned by the City of Seattle to open WAC 314-11-070, regarding the hours of liquor service and submitted a proposal for the board’s consideration to extend service hours beyond 2 a.m. under certain circumstances. The board unanimously agreed to begin a stakeholder process to review this WAC in October. However, with the passage of 1183, the board has had to focus its attention on implementation of the initiative, postponing work on this issue.

The board’s proposed new timeline will now begin in March, with public meetings across the state in the following communities:

Seattle

Bellingham

Everett

Tacoma

Olympia

Vancouver

Tri-Cities

Yakima

Spokane

Public hearings should wrap up in May, and if the board approves a proposal, will move forward with rulemaking. If a change is adopted, it would become effective in late September.

The city of Seattle’s proposal, outlined the below alternative to current service hours:

Local governments (by ordinance) would establish an “extended hours service area,” where on-premise establishments would be able to serve liquor between 2 and 6 a.m., under an “extended hours endorsement”.

In order for an area to be recognized as an extended hours service area, the local authority must explain in the ordinance:

-          The rationale of proposed boundaries

-          Describe the boundaries in a way the Board can determine which licensees fall into the area

-          Boundaries are understandable by the general public

-          An explanation why the local jurisdiction is seeking extended hours

-          Statements of support by residents and businesses

-          Statement from local law enforcement on the impacts

-          Any additional restrictions for the extended service endorsement

The Board will then have the authority to recognize an extended service hours area or not. If the area is recognized and approved for extended service, the local jurisdiction must provide annual data about the impacts to public safety the extension of service hours has had. The Liquor Control Board will then review the data after the first, third and fifth year and then every fifth year after that when considering endorsement renewal.

The proposal only allows for spirits, beer and wine restaurant licensees, beer/wine restaurant licensees and nightclub licensees to qualify for an endorsement. The endorsement would also carry a fee that has not yet been determined.