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Tribal Workgroup

Tribal/Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) workgroups were formed in April 2008 to address licensing and business enterprise issues. An outcome from these workgroups was a list of eight recommendations focused on improving communication and building trust between the WSLCB and tribes. The majority of the recommendations have already been completed:

  • A Government-to-Government Consultation Policy (Board Policy No. 11-2009) was created to provide the framework for how the tribes and WSLCB will work collaboratively on licensing, enforcement, and taxation issues in a manner which respects the sovereignty of each party.
     
  • WSLCB’s Store Siting Policy was revised to include steps to notify tribes of potential store locations. Tribes are sent a letter to ask them to identify prospective tribal areas of interest (by zip code) for future stores. This list enables the WSLCB to notify interested tribes about a possible store in their area.
     
  • The Licensing Workgroup developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) template that provides general framework for government-to-government cooperation and coordination regarding the sale and service of liquor by the tribes on their land.
     
  • A tribal representative was added to the WSLCB’s Business Advisory Council. The Council meets quarterly and is a partnership convened by the WSLCB to advise the Board Members and their staff on broad issues and concerns affecting the agency’s business and regulatory activities.
     
  • A Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) was created that will be co-chaired by the WSLCB and a tribal chairperson. The TAC is designed to increase communication and provide a setting to discuss tribal-specific topics as they relate to the WSLCB’s business and regulatory activities.


Work in progress

  • The innovative approach to using an MOA for the cooperative regulation of liquor sales and service on tribal land will require the WSLCB to modify existing licensing processes and technology systems. The necessary changes will be identified after the first MOA is negotiated.