It’s time to celebrate! After a heated public hearing, the House Consumer Protections & Business Committee passed a bill allowing the creation of “libation zones” inspired by the 2026 World Cup coming to Washington.

HB 1515 would allow jurisdictions to establish expanded outdoor alcohol service areas, often referred to as “libation zones.” Under the bill, there are two categories of jurisdictions that could apply for and receive authorization to have outdoor alcohol service areas:

• The first category of jurisdiction is any city, town, county, or port authority in the state can designate part or all of their jurisdiction as an outdoor alcohol service zone. However, counties can only designate unincorporated areas.
• The second category of jurisdiction is any city over 400,000 population with a civic campus or any jurisdiction that has been designated as a fan zone or host city by an international self-regulatory governing body of a sports association.

Both categories of jurisdictions must apply to the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) for approval of the designated expanded alcohol service areas.

Adopted amendments for the first category of jurisdictions include:

• Ending the expanded outdoor alcohol service areas by December 31, 2026;
• Requiring jurisdictions with expanded outdoor alcohol service areas to document and ensure proper cleaning, litter removal, and provision of local resources like law enforcement during operating times.
• Requiring jurisdictions to conduct a public review of the impacts and submit a report to the LCB by September 1, 2026. The LCB will then report to the governor and legislature by January 1, 2027.

Adopted amendments for the second category of jurisdictions include:

• Limiting the number of events to no more than 50 per year, up to seven of which may be multiday events;
• Posting signage seven days in advance of and during an event that notifies the public that the area will be used as an outdoor alcohol service area;
• Ensuring that outside alcohol is not brought onto and consumed at the civic campus;
• Submitting a report by January 1, 2027, to the legislature and LCB about the events held, benefits realized, and challenges encountered during implementation; and
• Creating a sunset date for expanded alcohol service areas of December 31, 2027.

HB 1515 now awaits action in the House.

2026 to bring World Cup soccer – and libation zones – to Washington

January 24, 2025

In preparation for the World Cup in 2026, the Washington House is proactively updating and modernizing the regulations around serving and consuming alcohol in public spaces.

HB 1515, sponsored by Reps. Julia Reed (D–Seattle) and Amy Walen (D–Kirkland), authorizes cities to request from the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) expanded outdoor alcohol service for liquor licensees in public spaces under specific conditions.

As currently written, all cities and towns could submit a request to the LCB to expand outdoor alcohol service for liquor licensees within the whole city or town, or just within a specific area or areas of the town. The bill outlines requirements for the outdoor space including barriers and openings into and out of the service area.

The ability to serve in the outdoor service areas would be limited to licensed:

• Spirits, beer, and wine restaurants;
• Taverns and snack bars;
• Domestic wineries, breweries, and microbreweries;
• Distilleries; and
• private clubs.

The bill also allows licensees to share use of the designated space with other licensees as well as other businesses that do not engage in the sale or service of alcohol. However, except under limited circumstances, licensees are jointly responsible for any violations or enforcement issues that occur in the alcohol service area.

Additionally, the bill allows cities over 400,000 in population to submit a request to the LCB to host expanded alcohol service during events at a publicly owned civic campus. The request could allow for licensees to share indoor and outdoor service areas located on the civic campus. Currently, the city of Seattle is the only city in Washington that could qualify for this allowance under the bill.

The bill also directs the LCB to review and update rules to allow for the new alcohol service areas, as well as create a new retailer’s license for non-profits to sell alcohol during an event on a civic campus in a city with a population of more than 400,000.

Dates to remember

HB 1515 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee on Wednesday, January 29 at 1:30 pm.