The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (“OLCC”) is initiating rulemaking that would amend licensing requirements for outdoor areas and distilled liquor tasting.
Outdoor Areas
The OLCC has proposed two new rules to address the licensing qualifications and operating requirements for “exclusively outdoor areas,” or areas that do not abut a licensed building. The rule would apply
The DABC unexpectedly decided to forgo adopting an administrative rule interpreting Utah’s “intent to dine” law. As we discussed previously, the Commission was considering three draft rules that were intended to clarify the steps a restaurant licensee must take to confirm a patron’s intent to order food before a server can furnish an alcoholic
The controversy continues over Utah’s so-called “intent to dine” requirement for restaurants licensed to serve alcohol. As we previously discussed, the Utah Legislature amended the law to require restaurants to confirm that a patron has the intent to order food before serving an alcoholic drink. In response to the change, the DABC has proposed
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) official Susan Evans, the Executive Liaison for State and Industry Matters, talked about ways to streamline the federal label approval process at the June 2013 National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) that I attended in Honolulu. Speaking on a panel, she said that the TTB has experienced reduced staffing and declining budgets, which have slowed down two of its major functions: permitting and approving labels.
According to Ms. Evans, nearly 25,000 permittees submit certificate of label approvals (COLAs) to TTB . Last year TTB received over 145,000 COLA applications. In the last two years, TTB has imposed fewer restrictions and qualifications, updated the COLA form to allow changes that may be made to labels without TTB approval, and established a virtual file room for processing paper applications electronically.
In addition, TTB recently reviewed the label approval program and concluded the following:Continue Reading Federal Officials Mull Changes to Alcohol Label Approval Process
Oregon Senate Bill 841 brings finality to the ongoing debate about the appropriate intensity of agri-tourism and other commercial events held at wineries on agricultural land.
Looking forward, wineries permitted under ORS 215.452 are allowed to engage in activities that are directly related to the sale and marketing of wine without local review. These types of activities include wine tastings, wine club activities, winery and vineyard tours, meetings or business activities with wine industry members or vendors, open houses, and similar activities (which appears to be a catch-all allowing for some flexibility). The legislation confronts the debate about on-site kitchens at wineries, making clear that kitchens are allowed under specified conditions.Continue Reading Oregon Senate Bill 841 Provides Some Certainty for Wineries but Leaves Some Wanting
Movie theaters with restaurant-style food service will reach a broader audience with the recent signing into law of a bill passed by the Washington State Legislature allowing service of food and alcoholic beverages to their patrons. The law as currently written allows some service of alcohol in movie theaters, but requires exclusion of minors from the premises. The new law will create a new, more family friendly, beer, wine and spirits license for theaters. The license will allow minors if certain conditions are met and approved by the Washington State Liquor Control Board, such as submission of an alcohol control plan outlining the methods to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol, similar to plans that are required for clubs and show venues that host all‑ages concerts. Theaters will also be required to meet food and service requirements, similar to restaurants, to qualify for the license. (Senate Bill 5607 as Passed by Legislature)Continue Reading Dinner and a Movie for the Whole Family!
Stoel Rives LLP offers its congratulations to Rick Garza on his appointment as Director of the Washington State Liquor Control Board. Today the agency issued a press release announcing the appointment will be effective June 1, 2013. Garza will be assuming leadership in a time of unprecedented change – the agency is on the tail end
This week, a bill passed the Washington legislature that will allow a craft distillery to sell more of its product to customers visiting its distillery.
House Bill 1149 has been sent to Governor Inslee to sign in to law, amending RCW 66.24.145 to allow a craft distillery to sell a maximum of three liters of
As the Utah Legislature wrapped up its session this week, it appears that a battle is brewing between the House and Senate over alcohol reform. Citing a concern with the “culture of alcohol,” the Senate declined to support many of the measures the House approved this session. The House voted to eliminate the so-called “Zion
Only two proposed amendments to Utah’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Act passed during the most recent session of the Utah Legislature, which concluded on March 14th. H.B. 240 passed earlier in the session and addresses the “intent to dine” issue we reported on previously. Under the change, a restaurant licensee must confirm that a patron has