Stephanie Meier and Elaine Albrich
The Washington State Liquor Control Board is proposing additional code amendments to further implement Ballot Initiative 1183. The WSLCB encourages public input and requests that initial comments be received by June 27, 2012. A public hearing will be held on the draft code amendments Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 10 am. The changes, among other things, add language to address the sale of spirits and identify the sources from which retail licensees may purchase beer, wine and spirits. The rules also add new language requiring wine distributors to sell and deliver product from their licensed premises and clarify that wine importers cannot sell to retailers.
As you may recall, WSLCB adopted emergency rules on December 7, 2011 and April 4, 2012, and adopted permanent rules on May 30, 2012 (copies can be found here). A group representing retailers has filed a petition for judicial review of these rules, arguing that WSLCB acted outside its authority in adopting these rules.