Concerning liquor licenses.

SB 5399 amends Washington state law to streamline liquor license processing while adding new requirements for applicants. It mandates criminal background checks (including fingerprinting for FBI checks), requires sole proprietors to reside in Washington for at least one month before licensing, and automatically suspends licenses for unpaid spirits taxes (over 30 days delinquent) or non-compliance with child support orders. The bill also allows conditional license approval for applicants who haven’t yet secured premises, with final approval triggered upon lease execution. These changes directly affect businesses seeking new liquor licenses or renewals, particularly those with unresolved tax debts, criminal histories, or residency issues.