Social Equity License Mobility Petitions
What are rulemaking petitions?
If you’ve been following our recent blog posts, you’ll know that LCB is in the process of amending Social Equity rules to implement SB 5080. This rulemaking is in response to new legislation and stakeholder feedback, but there are other things that can cause a state agency to enter rulemaking. One of these is rulemaking petitions, which are submissions from the public requesting an agency adopt, amend, or repeal a rule within its authority.
How does this affect the Social Equity Program?
The LCB received three petitions for rulemaking in May regarding WAC 314–55–570(4)(d), which is related to license mobility. This WAC states:
“Social equity licenses that are currently designated to specific cities may be located anywhere within the county in which the city is located. However, the license may not be transferred outside of that county.”
These three petitions requested that LCB adopt, amend, or repeal this rule for Social Equity license mobility. The Board has 60 days to either:
- Deny the petition while:
Providing a reason for the denial, and
Describing the alternate methods the Board will take to address the
petition’s concerns, or - Initiate rulemaking proceedings in accordance with RCW 34.05.320.
To learn more about the rulemaking process, take a look at our website here. You can also review the steps to submit a rulemaking petition here.
Staying Updated
The Board intends to address these petitions at the meeting on July 18th at 10 a.m. If you would like to tune in, you can find a link to the Board meeting here. Please contact the Policy & Rules team at rules@lcb.wa.gov if you have any questions or concerns about the petition.
We hope to see you there!
