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Bill would let breweries subcontract or sublease kitchens to food vendors to meet liquor license food requirements
Summary
House Bill 1602 would authorize domestic breweries and microbreweries to subcontract or sublease kitchen space to independent food service providers — including mobile units — to satisfy food service requirements for certain restaurant liquor licenses, with health‑department compliance assigned to the food provider.
Committee staff read in engrossed House Bill 1602, which would permit domestic breweries and microbreweries that qualify for spirits or beer & wine restaurant licenses to subcontract or sublease their kitchen or licensed premises to a person or entity that operates a mobile food unit or an independently operated food service provider that does not hold a retail liquor license.
Representative Kevin Waters, prime sponsor, said the bill responds to small breweries that want to lease kitchen space rather than run a kitchen themselves; an amendment from the Department of Health requires the subcontracted food service provider to be responsible for compliance with local health‑department regulations. Committee staff noted a fiscal note projecting roughly $57,000 in costs to the Liquor Control Board (LCB) from the liquor revolving account across fiscal years 2025–29.
Industry witnesses, including the Washington Brewers Guild and small brewery owners, testified in support, saying the policy enables partnerships with local food trucks and lowers barriers for breweries to open or expand without operating a full kitchen. No committee vote was recorded during the hearing.
