This post was co-authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Chad Punch. Earlier this summer, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals revisited an issue that it had examined thirty years prior: whether a California Prohibition-era tied house law is unconstitutional under the First Amendment because it impermissibly restricts commercial speech. Specifically, in Retail Digital Network, LLC v. Prieto (No. 13-56069), the plaintiff, Retail Digital Network, LLC (“RDN”) sued Ramona Prieto (“Prieto”) in her official capacity as Acting…

This post was guest authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Alex Pearson. With the Washington State Legislature’s third special session at a close, now is a good time for alcoholic beverage producers and distributors to take a moment to look at five bills that passed the Legislature and were signed into law by Governor Inslee this past session. All are effective as of July 23, 2017, and create new opportunities for producers and distributors. What follows…

This post was guest authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Antonija Krizanac. Since the 2017 Oregon Legislative Session convened on February 1, 2017, the Legislature has introduced a variety of bills that impact the Oregon alcohol and beverage industry. Out of the countless proposed bills, five have already been signed by the Governor and will go into effect this year or early 2018 and may impact your business. Following is a summary of those bills. House…

This post was guest authored by Stoel Rives summer associate Emma Vignali. On July 23, 2017, numerous Bills will go into effect that will meaningfully impact alcohol and beverage retailers across Washington. Governor Jay Inslee will sign four bills that will create opportunities for alcohol retailers and simplify the licensing process for current and future licensees. Additionally, although not yet passed by the legislature, S.B. 5164 would expand the criteria under RCW 66.24.363 to authorize the…

For years, the City of Portland has had an expansive, complex and restrictive regulatory system for parking in the Central City. However, in an effort to promote better utilization of Central City parking spaces, the City is currently considering substantial simplification of its Central City parking code, which hotels may benefit from. Historically, hotels selling onsite parking spaces to non-guests were potentially vulnerable to zoning code enforcement actions prohibiting rental of those spaces to persons…

The January 2017 “Guidance for Food Service at Wineries on Farmland under Oregon Senate Bill 841” issued by the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission and Oregon Liquor Commission with input from the Oregon Winegrowers Association, seeks to help answer questions that have arisen since the 2013 enactment of Senate Bill 841. Prior to enactment of SB 841, food service at permitted use wineries on farm land was limited to “individually portioned prepackaged foods prepared…

Significant changes are on the way for Liquor Laws in Utah.  H.B. 442 passed the legislature on March 8, 2017 and Governor Herbert signed it into law March 29, 2017.  The new law makes numerous changes to how restaurants, dining clubs and off-premise beer retailers will operate.  These changes will create opportunities for some, and present significant challenges for others.  Following is a summary of some of the more meaningful changes for businesses.  Note that…