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WashingtonHB 15152025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Modernizing the regulation of alcohol service in public spaces.

Sponsored By: Julia Reed (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.

Alcohol businesses face added state oversight

The state liquor board can monitor and regulate license holders' practices to prevent liquor theft and illegal trafficking. It can also set reasonable requirements for service areas and alcohol sales, service, and consumption. These requirements must stay within the law's alcohol-service rules. This authority ends December 31, 2027.

Expanded alcohol service carries new fees

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board must charge participating licensees, local governments, or both for expanded-service oversight. Fees must cover, but cannot exceed, the board's related administrative and enforcement costs. The law does not set dollar amounts. The board can require a licensee to pay before using the expanded service options.

Public alcohol permissions end in 2027

Beginning July 27, 2025, the law permits public alcohol opening and drinking only in its authorized settings and activities. It does not allow drinking in every public place. The expanded permissions and related requirements expire December 31, 2027. The law also includes a funding condition: specific funding naming the act by bill or chapter number was required by June 30, 2025. Without that funding in the omnibus appropriations act, the law is null and void.

More event drinking with safety rules

Cities with more than 220,000 people can seek expanded service at qualifying public civic campuses: 25 events yearly, including seven multiday events. Designated fan-zone or host jurisdictions can seek approval for one multiday event in June or July 2026. Eligible licensees can share indoor and outdoor areas without a local public-space permit or food menus in the expanded area. Existing food rules still apply elsewhere, and caterers' public-event sponsorship rule has a limited exception under the law. The state board must approve event boundaries and joint safety plans; organizers must provide entry barriers, security, advance notice, and signs.

More outdoor service for alcohol businesses

Cities, towns, counties, and ports can seek state approval for wider outdoor alcohol service through December 31, 2027. County approvals cover only unincorporated areas. Eligible restaurants, taverns, wineries, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, and snack bars need individual outdoor-service approval. Approved businesses can share areas without a direct view from their premises; an employee must be assigned while patrons are present. Local governments must document adequate patrols and cleaning services, and the state board must allow covered outdoor service, including nonprofit events, with possible shared-area accountability rules.

Nonprofit events gain days, face limits

Nonprofit special occasion licensees can join approved civic-campus and fan-zone events without using their 12 annual sales days. The regular license costs $60 per event day, and the state board can add a daily fee at these events. That extra fee has no set amount in the law. At these events, licensees cannot use the specified wine-sales permission to sell unopened bottles for drinking there. After repeat violations within two years, the board can deny a special occasion license or future event participation; denial is not automatic.

Communities review expanded alcohol service impacts

Local governments that receive and use expanded-service approval must review its effects and report to the state liquor board by September 1, 2026. They must contact local organizations, residents, businesses, and others in the affected community. The review covers safety resources, including law enforcement, cleaning services, and residents' views of costs and benefits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Adison Richards

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Walen

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Shaun Scott

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 41

House vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 80 • No: 16 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 37 • No: 12

House vote • 3/8/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 83 • No: 13 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/19/2025House

  2. Chapter 361, 2025 Laws.

    5/19/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/19/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/25/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 80; nays, 16; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/22/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/22/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 12; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/16/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/16/2025House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/16/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/11/2025House

  13. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/8/2025House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    4/8/2025House

  15. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/8/2025House

  16. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025House

  17. Referred to Ways & Means.

    4/1/2025House

  18. And refer to Ways & Means.

    3/31/2025House

  19. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/31/2025House

  20. Minority; do not pass.

    3/31/2025House

  21. LC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    3/31/2025House

  22. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    3/11/2025House

  23. Third reading, passed; yeas, 83; nays, 13; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/8/2025House

  24. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/8/2025House

  25. 2nd substitute bill substituted.

    3/8/2025House

Bill Text

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