(1) There shall be a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license to sell spirituous liquor by the drink, beer, and wine at retail, for consumption on the licensed premises.

(2) The license may be issued only to a person whose business includes the sale and service of alcohol to the person's customers, has food sales and service incidental to the sale and service of alcohol, and has primary business hours between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

(3) Minors may be allowed on the licensed premises but only in areas where alcohol is not served or consumed.

(4)(a) The annual fee for this license is two thousand dollars. The fee for the license shall be reviewed from time to time and set at such a level sufficient to defray the cost of licensing and enforcing this licensing program. The fee shall be fixed by rule adopted by the board in accordance with the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW.

(b) The annual fee in (a) of this subsection is waived during the 12-month period beginning with the second calendar month after February 28, 2021, for:

(i) Licenses that expire during the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (4)(b); and

(ii) Licenses issued to persons previously licensed under this section at any time during the 12-month period prior to the 12-month waiver period under this subsection (4)(b).

(c) The waiver in (b) of this subsection does not apply to any licensee that:

(i) Had their license suspended by the board for health and safety violations of state COVID-19 guidelines; or

(ii) Received an order of immediate restraint or citation from the department of labor and industries for allowing an employee to perform work where business activity was prohibited in violation of an emergency proclamation of the governor under RCW 43.06.220.

(d) Upon request of the department of revenue, the board and the department of labor and industries must both provide a list of persons that they have determined to be ineligible for a fee waiver under (b) of this subsection for the reasons described in (c) of this subsection. Unless otherwise agreed, any list must be received by the department of revenue no later than 15 calendar days after the request is made.

(5) Local governments may petition the board to request that further restrictions be imposed on a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license in the interest of public safety. Examples of further restrictions a local government may request are: No minors allowed on the entire premises, submitting a security plan, or signing a good neighbor agreement with the local government.

(6) The total number of spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licenses are subject to the requirements of RCW 66.24.420(4). However, the board shall refuse a spirits, beer, and wine nightclub license to any applicant if the board determines that the spirits, beer, and wine nightclub licenses already granted for the particular locality are adequate for the reasonable needs of the community.

(7) The board may adopt rules to implement this section.

Expiration date—2022 c 116 ss 2-20: See note following RCW 66.24.420.

Effective date—Finding—Intent—2022 c 116: See notes following RCW 66.24.420.

Effective date—2021 c 6: See note following RCW 66.24.140.