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Liquor and Cannabis Board approves emergency renewal relief for businesses hit by flooding
Summary
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board approved a decision paper allowing alcohol and cannabis licensees affected by a governor-declared disaster to place licenses in a discontinued status so they do not pay renewal fees while closed; staff will require communication and a final physical inspection before reinstatement.
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board voted on 2026-02-04 to approve an emergency proclamation decision paper that would let licensees who cannot operate because of a governor-declared disaster place their accounts in a discontinued status and avoid paying renewal fees until they can resume operations. Beth Leaman, customer service manager in the licensing division, told the board the goal is to give businesses time to rebuild without losing their licensing standing.
Leaman said the policy formalizes an approach licensing staff have used informally and includes safeguards to preserve public safety: ongoing communication with licensees and a required final physical inspection before reinstatement. “If they're not operating yet, they shouldn't have to pay renewal fees for a license they cannot use, and they shouldn't lose that license or have to start the whole application process once they're ready to reopen,” Leaman said. The board approved the recommendation following the presentation and brief clarification that the relief would apply to both alcohol and cannabis licensees. The decision moves the board from ad hoc responses toward a consistent standard for future disaster proclamations.
