Washington State Liquor Control Board
Encyclopedia
The Washington State Liquor Control Board is an administrative agency of the State of Washington. The Liquor Control Board is part of the executive branch and reports to the Governor. The Board holds a monopoly on the distribution of hard liquor because Washington is a control state
. The Retail and Product Services Division operates all wholesale distribution and most retail sales of liquor. The Enforcement and Education Division has power to enforce alcohol and tobacco laws and inform the public about those laws.
In November 2011, a citizen's initiative was passed with "resounding approval" to end the state monopoly on liquor sales that has held since prohibition. Liquor sales will become more free from June 1, 2012. State and local government revenues are projected to increase by $42 million and $38 million respectively over the next six years as a result.
halls and the Swedish Cultural Center
. The wholesale distribution facility is located in an industrial area of Seattle near the south end of the Alaskan Way Viaduct
.
.
In 2008, the first class of the Basic Liquor Law Enforcement Academy (BLLEA) graduated from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center. The current Chief of the Enforcement and Education Division is Justin Nordhorn. The Division has regional offices in Tukwila
, Tacoma, Spokane
, and Mount Vernon
as well as field offices in Seattle and Pasco
.
, wineries
, and distilleries would be licensed to produce their specific class of alcoholic beverages. Wholesalers and distributors
would be licensed to buy beer and/or wine from breweries and wineries and sell to retailers. Retail licenses fit two categories depending on where the alcohol will be consumed. Retailers like grocery stores are licensed to sell beer and wine to customers who take the products home or elsewhere. Retailers like bars
and restaurant
s are licensed to serve alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption. This group of retailers can be licensed to serve either beer and wine or beer, wine, and spirits. Some activities require a special endorsement or permit such as caterer offering alcohol at a client's event.
(MAST) program. Under state law, people who serve alcoholic beverages at a bar, restaurant, or similar establishment need to possess an Alcohol Server Permit. The division certifies private entities to provide Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) courses. These private entities, called trainers, offer MAST courses to individuals like bartenders, servers, waiters, and restaurant managers. When an individual completes an approved MAST course, the certified trainer sends that information to the Board, which issues an Alcohol Server Permit (either a Class 12 or Class 13 permit) to the individual.
A class 13 permit allows a person to carry beer, wine, or spirits to a customer's table and pour wine from a bottle into a customer's glass. A class 12 permit allows a person to pour spirits, make mixed drinks (cocktails), and draw beer from a tap in addition to what a class 13 permit allows. A person must be at least 18 years old to hold a class 13 permit and at least 21 years old to hold a class 12 permit. Any licensed establishment must have at least one person with a class 12 permit on-duty to serve alcoholic beverages to its customers. A person with a class 13 permit must be supervised by a person with a class 12 permit. Some violations of the Alcohol Server Permit rules are misdemeanor
or gross misdemeanor
crimes.
Alcoholic beverage control state
Alcoholic beverage control states, generally called control states, are those in the United States that have state monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and distilled spirits....
. The Retail and Product Services Division operates all wholesale distribution and most retail sales of liquor. The Enforcement and Education Division has power to enforce alcohol and tobacco laws and inform the public about those laws.
In November 2011, a citizen's initiative was passed with "resounding approval" to end the state monopoly on liquor sales that has held since prohibition. Liquor sales will become more free from June 1, 2012. State and local government revenues are projected to increase by $42 million and $38 million respectively over the next six years as a result.
Retail and Product Services Division
The division operates the State's liquor near monopoly through a wholesale business and numerous retail outlets. The monopoly covers distilled beverages like spirits and liqueurs. It competes with private firms that sell beer and wine at the wholesale and retail levels.Wholesale liquor distribution
The board sells liquor to businesses and other organizations that sell or serve hard liquor on the premises. These customers include businesses like bars, night clubs, and restaurants. Additionally, some non-profit organizations are licensed to serve liquor. Examples include Veterans of Foreign WarsVeterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
halls and the Swedish Cultural Center
Swedish Cultural Center
The Swedish Cultural Center is a meeting spot for Scandinavians in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1892, initially as the "Swedish Club".It hosts a number of events for members and non-members.-External links:*...
. The wholesale distribution facility is located in an industrial area of Seattle near the south end of the Alaskan Way Viaduct
Alaskan Way Viaduct
The Alaskan Way Viaduct, completed on April 4, 1953, is a double-decked elevated section of State Route 99 that runs along the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle's Industrial District and downtown Seattle. It is the smaller of the two major north–south traffic corridors through Seattle ,...
.
State liquor stores
The board's Retail and Product Services Division operates a statewide sales network of liquor stores, and sells products to a number of privately-owned contracted liquor stores. Most liquor stores are state-owned and operated. State-owned stores carry a selection of wines as well. Contract liquor stores are typically located in rural or remote areas. In many cases, they are small grocery or convenience stores. All liquor stores charge the same prices regardless of location or ownership. Retail prices are established by a published formula. Prices and some inventory information is available online. On November 8, 2011, voters approved Initiative 1183, which forces the state to close its liquor stores in favor of private sales on June 1, 2012.Enforcement and Education Division
Liquor Enforcement Officers are assigned to the Education and Enforcement Division with Liquor Enforcement Officers enforcing state alcohol and tobacco laws. These officers are considered limited-authority law enforcement with authority only over the state's alcohol and tobacco laws. The Enforcement Division conducts compliance checks where underage and undercover state workers attempt to purchase alcohol or tobacco products from state licensed businesses. Individuals who sell to minors are arrested and/or cited; the associated business receives a notice of an administrative violation. Officers also conduct operations to detect violations such as overserving patrons. WSLCB officers are dispatched by the State PatrolWashington State Patrol
The Washington State Patrol is the state police agency for the State of Washington. The first six motorcycle patrolmen of the Highway Patrol were commissioned September 1, 1921. The agency was renamed to Washington State Patrol in June 1933. In 1925 William Cole was appointed as the first...
.
In 2008, the first class of the Basic Liquor Law Enforcement Academy (BLLEA) graduated from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center. The current Chief of the Enforcement and Education Division is Justin Nordhorn. The Division has regional offices in Tukwila
Tukwila, Washington
Tukwila is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The northern edge of Tukwila borders the city of Seattle. The population was 19,107 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, Tacoma, Spokane
Spokane
Spokane is a city in the U.S. state of Washington.Spokane may also refer to:*Spokane *Spokane River*Spokane, Missouri*Spokane Valley, Washington*Spokane County, Washington*Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-Paloos War*Spokane * USS Spokane...
, and Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Washington
Mount Vernon is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The population was 31,743 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the county seat of Skagit County...
as well as field offices in Seattle and Pasco
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
.
Licensing and Regulation Division
The Licensing and Regulation Division issues liquor licenses, which numbered 14,604 in fiscal year 2006. Liquor licenses are issued to businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Various licenses exist and each license is suited to a particular type of business and product mix. BreweriesBrewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
, wineries
Winery
A winery is a building or property that produces wine, or a business involved in the production of wine, such as a wine company. Some wine companies own many wineries. Besides wine making equipment, larger wineries may also feature warehouses, bottling lines, laboratories, and large expanses of...
, and distilleries would be licensed to produce their specific class of alcoholic beverages. Wholesalers and distributors
Distribution (business)
Product distribution is one of the four elements of the marketing mix. An organization or set of organizations involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by a consumer or business user.The other three parts of the marketing mix are product, pricing,...
would be licensed to buy beer and/or wine from breweries and wineries and sell to retailers. Retail licenses fit two categories depending on where the alcohol will be consumed. Retailers like grocery stores are licensed to sell beer and wine to customers who take the products home or elsewhere. Retailers like bars
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
and restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s are licensed to serve alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption. This group of retailers can be licensed to serve either beer and wine or beer, wine, and spirits. Some activities require a special endorsement or permit such as caterer offering alcohol at a client's event.
Alcohol Server Permits
The Division manages the Mandatory Alcohol Server TrainingAlcohol Server Training
Alcohol server training is a form of occupational education typically provided to servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and underage drinking...
(MAST) program. Under state law, people who serve alcoholic beverages at a bar, restaurant, or similar establishment need to possess an Alcohol Server Permit. The division certifies private entities to provide Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) courses. These private entities, called trainers, offer MAST courses to individuals like bartenders, servers, waiters, and restaurant managers. When an individual completes an approved MAST course, the certified trainer sends that information to the Board, which issues an Alcohol Server Permit (either a Class 12 or Class 13 permit) to the individual.
A class 13 permit allows a person to carry beer, wine, or spirits to a customer's table and pour wine from a bottle into a customer's glass. A class 12 permit allows a person to pour spirits, make mixed drinks (cocktails), and draw beer from a tap in addition to what a class 13 permit allows. A person must be at least 18 years old to hold a class 13 permit and at least 21 years old to hold a class 12 permit. Any licensed establishment must have at least one person with a class 12 permit on-duty to serve alcoholic beverages to its customers. A person with a class 13 permit must be supervised by a person with a class 12 permit. Some violations of the Alcohol Server Permit rules are misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
or gross misdemeanor
Gross misdemeanor
In American law, a gross misdemeanor is a crime which is more serious than a misdemeanor, but is still classified as a minor crime, as opposed to serious crimes. Such crimes may include petty theft, simple assault or driving under the influence. Typically, the maximum sentence is one year in county...
crimes.