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Panel reviews bill to allow wine by the glass at snack bar liquor licenses
Summary
House Bill 1526 would expand the snack bar liquor license to allow wine by the glass for on‑premise consumption at retailers whose primary business is not alcohol sales. Staff said the bill amends existing statute; sponsor and committee members discussed reporting and safety questions.
The Consumer Protection & Business Committee on Jan. 29 heard staff briefing and sponsor testimony on House Bill 1526, which would amend Washington’s snack bar liquor license to allow the sale of wine by the glass for on‑premise consumption in addition to open bottles or canned beer.
Meghan Mulvihill, staff to the committee, described the statutory framework for the snack bar license and the bill’s limited change: "House Bill 1526 modifies the snack bar liquor license to also allow a retailer to sell wine by the glass for on premise consumption in addition to open bottled or canned beer," Mulvihill said.
Representative Joe Schmick (identified in the hearing as the prime sponsor) said the bill is a narrow change prompted by requests from local businesses. "This just modifies the statute. So they also can sell wine by the glass. That's it," Schmick said, explaining he had been contacted by a nursery that operates a snack bar and whose customers request wine.
Committee members asked whether the bill included reporting requirements or other safeguards. Mulvihill said there are no reporting obligations in the bill text; she said she could review current statute but that the bill itself does not add reporting requirements. Representative Kloba asked specifically whether the bill would include reporting to confirm that alcohol is not becoming a substantial portion of a business’s operations; that reporting is not included in the current draft. Representative Ryu noted that several public‑safety organizations had signed in opposition and asked the sponsor whether the Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs’ opposition was known; Schmick said he could not explain their reasons and suggested the committee ask those organizations directly.
Other legislators raised the policy balance between enabling local businesses to sell local wine and ensuring the license does not functionally convert a retail business into a tasting room. Representative Klobuch suggested a reporting requirement showing the relative share of alcohol sales to the business’s principal sales and asked whether the sponsor would consider a data or reporting amendment; Schmick replied that he would consider the request.
No public testimony was recorded for HB 1526, and the committee closed the bill’s public hearing.
