Bill > SB5389

This bill modifies how liquor sales revenue is distributed to local governments in Washington state. Previously, the law specified certain allocations for municipal research and services and distributions to border areas, counties, cities, and towns. The new bill changes these distribution rules, now allocating three-tenths of one percent to border areas, 50 percent to the state's general fund, 10 percent to counties, and 40 percent to incorporated cities and towns. For county distributions, the allocation will be based on the proportion of each county's unincorporated population compared to the total unincorporated population of all eligible counties. Counties where liquor sales are forbidden in unincorporated areas will not receive a share of the distribution. The bill also repeals a previous statute (RCW 66.24.065) related to spirits license fee distribution, effectively updating the legal framework for how liquor sales revenues are shared among different levels of local government.

Budget and Finance

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5389&Year=2025&Initiative=false