WashingtonSB 57862025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Increasing license, permit, and endorsement fees.

Sponsored By: Derek Stanford (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

25 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 24 costs, 0 mixed.

Higher fees for hotels and theaters

Hotels pay $2,500 a year for the hotel alcohol license. Motels pay $750; hourly‑rate motels cannot hold this license. Small dine‑in theaters (≤120 seats per screen, full meals at tables) pay $2,500 and need an approved alcohol control plan if minors are present. Sports facilities can sell take‑home, Washington‑vinted wine with an exclusive label by paying a $180 endorsement.

Higher restaurant and catering liquor fees

Restaurants pay higher annual fees based on layout: $2,700 with under 50% dining area, $2,200 with 50% or more, and $1,400 for service‑bar‑only. Beer or wine restaurant licenses cost $300 each, or $600 for both. A caterer’s endorsement is $525. A combined beer and wine caterer’s license is $600, and a combined spirits/beer/wine caterer’s license is $1,500.

Importers, distributors, warehouses pay higher fees

Spirits importers pay $2,100 per year. Wine importers pay $240 per year, and beer importers pay $240 per year. Wine distributors pay $990 per distributing unit each year. Bonded wine warehouses pay $150 per year and must hold the federal bonded wine cellar permit; a tax bond may be required.

Sports venues face higher license costs

The sports entertainment facility license costs $3,750 per year for the food and beverage provider at arenas, stadiums, or similar venues. A caterer’s endorsement for these facilities costs $525 and allows moving liquor to specific off‑site events under the rules.

50% hike in board-set liquor fees

The board raises by 50% any liquor license, permit, or endorsement fee set in its rules. One specific fee is set to $25 instead of rising by 50%. Businesses whose fees are set by rule pay more going forward.

Bars, theaters, centers pay higher fees

Tavern licenses cost $300 for beer or wine, or $600 for both. Beer and wine theater licenses cost $600; theaters with minors must have an approved alcohol control plan. Senior center licenses cost $720 and servers must hold the required training permit. Public house licenses cost $1,500 and come with production and ownership limits.

Breweries pay more for licenses

Large breweries (60,000+ barrels) pay $2,100 per year. Microbreweries (under 60,000 barrels) pay $150 per year. Farmers market endorsements cost $112.50 per year for qualifying domestic breweries and microbreweries. Private‑event permits are $15 per event, with applications due at least 10 days before and a 12‑event annual limit.

Combo spirits‑beer‑wine license costs more

Retailers with a combination spirits, beer, and wine license pay $2,000 per store each year. This replaces the old $316 fee. Multi‑store operators pay the higher fee at every location.

Distillery licenses and permits cost more

The standard distiller license is $2,100 per year. Small distillers that make 150,000 gallons or less and use at least 50% Washington‑grown materials pay $150 per year. Each off‑site tasting room license tied to a production facility costs $2,100 per year, with a maximum of two per facility. Private‑event permits cost $15 per event, up to 12 per year.

Distributors and warehouses face higher fees

Spirits distributors pay $1,980 to renew each licensed location. Beer distributors pay $990 per distributing unit each year. Spirits warehouses pay $150 for the warehouse license and $150 for a single annual transfer permit. Duty‑free exporters (Class S) pay $150 a year and must meet federal permit and documentation rules.

Higher fees for grocery and bottle shops

Grocery and retail alcohol stores pay more each year. The grocery store license is $550 per store. Off‑premises beer and wine retailer licenses are $180, and specialty shops are $150. Snack bars pay $187.50. Common add‑ons also cost more: wine reseller $249, tasting $300, and export endorsement $750 (buy from a state‑licensed distributor and keep records). Gift retailers and florists that deliver beer or wine pay $112.50 a year.

Private clubs pay higher alcohol fees

Private clubs pay $1,080 a year for a spirits, beer, and wine club license, or $270 for beer‑and‑wine only. Selling bottled wine to go needs a $180 endorsement. Clubs can host up to 40 member‑sponsored nonclub events with a $1,350 endorsement. Guests must be invited by members, and event details must be given to the board 72 hours before if asked.

Wineries face higher fees and endorsements

Domestic wineries pay $150 per year if they make under 250,000 liters, or $600 per year at 250,000 liters or more. The farmers market endorsement costs $112.50 per year and applies when wine is made entirely from Washington‑grown ingredients. Private‑event permits cost $15 per event, must be filed at least 10 days ahead, and are capped at 12 per year.

No cannabinoids in alcoholic drinks

Manufacturers cannot mix THC, CBD, or any cannabinoid into alcoholic products. This protects buyers from combined alcohol‑cannabinoid drinks.

Caterer alcohol licenses now cost more

Caterers pay $300 a year for a beer license and $300 a year for a wine license. Caterers may sell at event sites they or the sponsor control and must serve food as the board requires. Public events usually must be sponsored by a qualifying society or organization, unless it is a member or invited‑guest event.

Day spa drink permit costs more

Day spas that offer one drink during services pay $187.50 per year. Customers must be 21 or older, services must last over one hour, and drinks are limited to one 6‑oz wine or one 12‑oz beer per day. Spas may not advertise or sell alcohol.

Higher application fee for new retailers

Applying for a new annual retail liquor license costs $112.50. You pay it with the application. If approved, it is credited toward the license fee; it is not refundable if denied.

Higher fees for nonprofits serving alcohol

Nonprofits pay $90 per day for a special occasion license, up to 12 days each year. Qualifying nonprofit arts organizations pay $250 a year for their alcohol license.

Higher fees for private collections and auctions

Selling a private wine or spirits collection now requires a $37.50 permit per sale. Apply at least five business days ahead, list the inventory and price, and file the report and any taxes within 20 days after. Nonprofit wine auctions pay $37.50 for each listed winery; total cost rises with the number of wineries.

Higher fees for reps and duplicates

Sales representatives who solicit orders for resale pay $50 a year. Drivers delivering alcohol and domestic winery employees are exempt. Duplicate licenses for extra premises cost $30 each, and duplicates used for civic or convention center extensions cost $15 each.

Interstate carriers pay higher license fees

Carriers that sell alcohol to passengers pay $1,125 a year for the master license. Each added car, vessel, or airplane costs $7.50 per year. The license is valid only while vehicles are used in interstate commerce for hire.

Manufacturing and equipment license fees rise

Liquor manufacturers (not distillers, brewers, or wineries) pay $750 per year. Commercial chemist still licenses cost $30 per year. Distillery still licenses cost $300 per year. The packaging services endorsement costs $150 per year, and holders may not mix cannabinoids into alcohol.

Restaurant alcohol endorsements cost more

Restaurants pay higher fees for certain alcohol add‑ons. Selling bottled wine to go now needs a $180 endorsement. Keg or sanitary container fills for off‑site use also cost $180. A soju bottle‑service endorsement is $75 and requires staff training; bottles must be 375 ml or less and served to tables of two or more adults 21+.

Retail and tasting endorsements cost more

Beer or wine specialty shops pay $165 per store each year for the wine retailer reseller endorsement; a single sale is generally capped at 24 liters. The on‑premises single‑serving endorsement costs $300 per retail location and limits the holder to three offerings.

Short‑term rental wine permit costs more

Short‑term rental operators pay $112.50 a year to give one free bottle of wine per booking. One permit can cover all properties the operator lists on the application. You must verify guests’ ages or be present at arrival.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Derek Stanford
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 101 • No: 94

Senate vote • 4/25/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 25 • No: 23

House vote • 4/24/2025