Liquor and Cannabis Board approves emergency proclamation to pause renewal fees for disaster-affected licensees

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board on Feb. 4 approved an emergency-proclamation decision paper allowing alcohol and cannabis licensees who cannot operate because of a governor-declared disaster to place their licenses in a discontinued status and avoid paying renewal fees while they rebuild.

Beth Leeman, customer service manager in the Licensing Division, told the board the proposal aims to provide "targeted relief" for businesses shut down by statewide flooding and other disasters. Leeman said the policy would let licensees "continue to reinstate" their licenses later "without the associated fees" while preserving oversight through required ongoing communication and a final physical inspection before reopening.

Board members asked whether the policy applies to both cannabis and alcohol businesses; Leeman confirmed that it does. A board member said the approach demonstrates the agency’s commitment to supporting licensees during crises while maintaining safety standards.

Ali moved to approve the emergency-proclamation decision paper; a second was recorded and the chair declared the motion approved. The decision paper formalizes a process licensing staff said will replace ad hoc responses after future disaster proclamations.

The board did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the meeting transcript. The action was presented as a board-approved decision and Beth Leeman closed by thanking the board for its consideration.

Next steps for implementing the policy were not specified in the meeting transcript.