HB 2846: Contract liquor stores

Summary

• Directs the closure of 25 state liquor stores between July 1 and December 1, 2011, and provides for the Liquor Control Board (Board) to locate a contract liquor store in the area served by the closing state liquor store.
• Allows a contract liquor store manager to hold a grocery store liquor license if the grocery store is headquartered in Washington.
• Creates a Task Force on the Contracting Out of Liquor to assist the Board in determining which stores to close and the criteria for awarding contract liquor store agreements.
• Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to study the impacts of further contracting out the retail sale of liquor and include an analysis of allowing all qualified grocery stores based in Washington to become contract liquor stores.
• Requires wine purchased by the Board to be delivered to state and contract liquor stores by licensed wine distributors.
• Requires at least 90 percent of the shelf space in a state liquor store and contract liquor store, other than a grocery store or specialty shop, to be devoted to the sale of spirits.

From the House Bill Analysis 2010 (HB 2846), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗