WashingtonSB 57862025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Increasing license, permit, and endorsement fees.

Sponsored By: Derek Stanford (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

32 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 32 costs, 0 mixed.

Caterers and restaurants pay higher fees

Annual caterer licenses rise from $200 to $300 for beer or wine, and from $400 to $600 for both. A beer, wine, and spirits caterer license rises from $1,000 to $1,500 annually. A catering endorsement for spirits, beer, and wine restaurants rises from $350 to $525. Each duplicate license for added catering premises owned or leased by the license holder rises from $20 to $30. At qualifying civic or convention center restaurants, each duplicate license extending the master license to another service location rises from $10 to $15.

Higher liquor license fees for stores

Beginning July 27, 2025, a combination spirits, beer, and wine license costs $2,000 yearly per store, up from $316. Grocery liquor licenses rise from $150 to $550 yearly per store; specialty shop licenses rise from $100 to $150. The separate beer and wine retailer license rises from $120 to $180 yearly. That separate license can be combined only with the on-premises licenses listed in state law.

Hospitality businesses pay higher liquor fees

Public house liquor licenses rise from $1,000 to $1,500 annually. Hotel licenses rise from $2,000 to $2,500, and motel licenses rise from $500 to $750 annually. Motels must be licensed as transient accommodations under state law. Hotels and motels renting rooms by the hour are not eligible. Spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licenses and VIP airport lounge licenses each rise from $2,000 to $2,500 annually.

Liquor manufacturers pay higher service fees

The annual liquor manufacturer license fee rises from $500 to $750. This category excludes businesses licensed as distillers, domestic brewers, microbreweries, wineries, or domestic wineries. Authorized Washington liquor manufacturers pay $150 yearly for a packaging services endorsement, up from $100.

Member event hosts pay higher fees

Member-sponsored event endorsements rise from $900 to $1,350 annually for qualifying restaurants and private clubs. Both must hold spirits, beer, and wine licenses. The restaurant endorsement covers up to 40 nonclub, member-sponsored events at businesses that limit admission through membership. The private club endorsement covers nonclub, member-sponsored events using club liquor. Club events cannot be open to the public, and guests need an invitation from a sponsoring member.

Private clubs pay higher liquor fees

A qualifying private club's spirits, beer, and wine license rises from $720 to $1,080 annually. This fee applies both inside and outside incorporated cities and towns. The club license for beer, strong beer, and wine consumed on-site rises from $180 to $270 annually. A takeaway bottled-wine endorsement attached to either license rises from $120 to $180 annually.

Restaurants and taverns pay higher event fees

Beer and wine restaurant licensees and tavern licensees pay $525 for caterer endorsements, up from $350. These cover authorized liquor service at qualifying event locations not licensed by the state liquor board. Duplicate licenses for additional premises rise from $20 to $30. Licensees must own those additional premises or control them through a lease.

Restaurants and taverns pay higher fees

Restaurants and taverns pay $300 yearly for beer-only or wine-only licenses, up from $200. Their combined beer and wine licenses rise from $400 to $600 yearly. Tavern licenses are limited to places open only to people age 21 or older. Snack bar beer licenses rise from $125 to $187.50 yearly and cover on-site drinking where beer sales are not the main business.

Spirits retailers and warehouses pay more

Spirits retail license renewals rise from $166 to $550 annually. This is separate from the existing 17% payment on spirits sales revenue, excluding taxes and other license fees. That sales-based payment is due quarterly after sales occur. Spirits warehouse licenses rise from $100 to $150 annually. If the liquor board requires a single annual permit for unlimited warehouse transfers, it also rises from $100 to $150.

Stores pay more for liquor endorsements

Annual wine reseller endorsements rise from $110 to $165 per specialty shop and from $166 to $249 per grocery store. The grocery endorsement covers wine sold to licensed on-premises retailers for resale at their licensed locations. Grocery export endorsements rise from $500 to $750 yearly, on top of the store license fee. Exporting beer, strong beer, and wine requires state liquor board approval. Grocery beer and wine tasting endorsements rise from $200 to $300 yearly for stores meeting the endorsement's eligibility requirements.

Theaters pay higher alcohol license fees

The annual beer and wine theater license rises from $400 to $600. The annual spirits, beer, and wine theater license rises from $2,000 to $2,500. The increase depends on which license the theater holds.

Higher fees for private liquor sales

Beginning July 27, 2025, sellers pay $37.50 for each permit to sell a private wine or spirits collection, up from $25. Sellers must get the permit at least five business days before the sale.

Alcohol makers pay higher tasting-event fees

Beginning July 27, 2025, alcohol makers pay $15 for each qualifying private tasting event permit, up from $10. Events must be closed to the public and involve tasting and selling the maker's own products. Each maker can hold no more than 12 such events yearly.

Chemists pay more for laboratory stills

Commercial chemists pay $30 yearly to license each qualifying laboratory still, up from $20. The still must be used only for laboratory work. It cannot be used to make liquor for sale.

Distillers pay higher license fees

The standard annual distiller fee rises from $2,000 to $2,100; the reduced fee rises from $100 to $150. Reduced-fee producers must make no more than 150,000 gallons yearly and use at least 50% Washington-grown raw materials. Each qualifying fruit or wine still costs $300 yearly, up from $200. Those stills require federal licensing and must make only fruit brandy or wine spirits. Each off-site distillery tasting room needs a separate annual license costing $2,100, up from $2,000.

Duty-free exporters pay higher license fees

The class S duty-free exporter license rises from $100 to $150 annually. It covers beer and wine sold to vessels for consumption outside Washington. Exporters need a federal importer's basic permit and a customs house license with a common carrier's bond. They also need a customs bonded warehouse or access to a foreign trade zone. A notarized buyer statement must confirm consumption outside Washington.

Gift sellers pay higher alcohol fees

The beer and wine gift delivery license rises from $75 to $112.50 annually. Eligible gift businesses must sell only retail gifts and hold no other liquor license. Retail flower and floral arrangement sellers also qualify. Beer and wine deliveries must accompany gifts or flowers.

Higher application fees for liquor retailers

Beginning July 27, 2025, a new annual retail liquor license application costs $112.50, up from $75. The application fee is not refundable. For approved applications, the payment counts toward the license fee rather than adding to it.

Liquor sales representatives pay higher fees

The annual liquor representative license fee rises from $25 to $50. It covers people representing authorized liquor wholesalers who take orders, seek sales, or build relationships with licensees. Delivery drivers, domestic wineries, and domestic winery employees are exempt from this license requirement.

Microbreweries pay higher licensing fees

Microbreweries producing less than 60,000 barrels of malt liquor, including strong beer, annually pay $150 instead of $100. Their farmers market endorsement rises from $75 to $112.50 annually. That endorsement covers their own bottled beer sold at qualifying farmers markets for consumption elsewhere. It does not allow strong beer sales at farmers markets.

Producers pay more for cross-drink sales

The annual on-premises beer and wine endorsement rises from $200 to $300 per retail location. It covers single servings consumed there. Domestic wineries can offer up to three Washington-made beers. Domestic breweries and microbreweries can offer up to three Washington-made wines.

Rental hosts pay higher wine-permit fees

Beginning July 27, 2025, short-term rental operators pay $112.50 yearly for a complimentary wine permit, up from $75. The permit covers rental properties listed in the application. Operators can provide no more than one complimentary bottle per booking. Guests must be at least 21, and operators or staff must check their identification.

Restaurants pay higher liquor license fees

Annual spirits, beer, and wine restaurant licenses cost $2,700 with less than 50% dedicated dining area, or $2,200 with at least 50%. Service-bar-only licenses cost $1,400 annually; prior base fees are not provided. Each takeaway endorsement for bottled wine, qualifying beer and malt liquor, or exclusive-label Washington wine rises from $120 to $180 annually. The exclusive-label wine must be made and bottled in Washington. The soju endorsement rises from $50 to $75.

Wineries and breweries pay higher market fees

Qualifying domestic wineries and breweries pay $112.50 yearly for farmers market endorsements, up from $75. These cover their own wine or bottled beer sold to take away at qualifying markets. Winery products must use entirely grapes from a recognized Washington appellation or other Washington-grown agricultural products. Breweries must qualify for the state's reduced malt liquor tax rate and sell beer made in Washington.

Interstate carriers pay higher liquor fees

Federally licensed interstate common carriers pay $1,125 annually for the master liquor license, up from $750. Each covered train car, vessel, or airplane adds $7.50 annually, up from $5. The license applies only while those vehicles operate for hire as common carriers in interstate commerce.

Liquor board must raise covered fees

The Washington liquor board must raise liquor license, permit, and endorsement fees it sets by rule by 50%. The fee under RCW 66.20.010(3) is excluded from that increase and is separately set at $25. Its prior amount is not provided, so its dollar change is unknown.

Nonprofit event hosts pay higher fees

Not-for-profit societies and organizations pay $90 per day for a special occasion liquor license, up from $60. The license covers alcohol sales at a specified event.

Nonprofits pay higher wine auction fees

Beginning July 27, 2025, nonprofit wine auction permits cost $37.50 per winery selling wine, up from $25. The nonprofit must be incorporated in Washington, and the auction must be closed to the public. Each participating winery must be listed on the permit application.

Sports venues pay higher liquor fees

The sports entertainment facility license rises from $2,500 to $3,750 annually for the entity serving food and drinks. Its catering endorsement rises from $350 to $525 for service at specified event sites not licensed by the liquor board. Public events need a sponsoring society or organization covered by RCW 66.24.375. The takeaway wine endorsement for beer, wine, and spirits sports venue license holders rises from $120 to $180 annually. That wine must be made and bottled in Washington and carry the license holder's exclusive label.

Beer and wine wholesalers pay more

Beer and wine distributor licenses each rise from $660 to $990 yearly per distributing unit. Beer and wine importer licenses each rise from $160 to $240 yearly. Beer importers must keep their main office in Washington and meet state reporting and licensing rules. Bonded wine warehouse licenses rise from $100 to $150 yearly and cover storing and handling bottled wine.

Spirits wholesalers pay higher license fees

Spirits distributors pay $1,980 yearly to renew each licensed location, up from $1,320. This renewal charge is separate from the distributor license issuance fee. Spirits importer licenses rise from $600 to $2,100 yearly. The importer license covers liquor other than beer or wine and remains subject to state law and board restrictions.

Wineries and large breweries pay more

Domestic wineries making less than 250,000 liters yearly pay $150 for an annual license, up from $100. Wineries making at least 250,000 liters yearly pay $600, up from $400. Domestic breweries producing at least 60,000 barrels of malt liquor yearly pay $2,100, up from $2,000.

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