Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 66.44.010 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026

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(1) All county and municipal peace officers are hereby charged with the duty of investigating and prosecuting all violations of this title, and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor, and all fines imposed for violations of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor belong to the county, city or town wherein the court imposing the fine is located, and must be placed in the general fund for payment of the salaries of those engaged in the enforcement of the provisions of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor. However, all fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties collected or assessed by a district court because of the violation of a state law must be remitted as provided in chapter 3.62 RCW as now exists or is later amended.

(2) In addition to any and all other powers granted, the board has the power to enforce the penal provisions of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor.

(3) In addition to the other duties under this section, the board must enforce chapters 82.24, 82.26, and 82.25 RCW.

(4) The board may appoint and employ, assign to duty and fix the compensation of, officers to be designated as liquor enforcement officers. Such liquor enforcement officers have the power, under the supervision of the board, to enforce the penal provisions of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor. They have the power and authority to serve and execute all warrants and process of law issued by the courts in enforcing the penal provisions of this title or of any penal law of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor, and the provisions of chapters 82.24, 82.26, and 82.25 RCW. They have the power to arrest without a warrant any person or persons found in the act of violating any of the penal provisions of this title or of any penal law of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor, and the provisions of chapters 82.24, 82.26, and 82.25 RCW.

[ 2019 c 445 s 202; 1998 c 18 s 1; 1987 c 202 s 224; 1969 ex.s. c 199 s 28; 1939 c 172 s 5; 1935 c 174 s 11; 1933 ex.s. c 62 s 70; RRS s 7306-70. Formerly RCW 66.44.010 through 66.44.030.]

Notes:

Conflict with federal requirements—Effective date—2019 c 445: See RCW 82.25.900 and 82.25.901.

Automatic expiration date and tax preference performance statement exemption—2019 c 445: See note following RCW 82.08.0318.

Intent—1987 c 202: See note following RCW 2.04.190.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1989–2022 · leading case: Spokane Police Guild v. Liquor Control Bd., 769 P.2d 283 (Wash. 1989).

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Spokane Police Guild v. Liquor Control Bd., 769 P.2d 283 (Wash. 1989). · cites it 2× “RCW 66.44.010(2); WAC 314-60-030. [16] This definition of the "right to privacy" initially set forth in Hearst, at 135-36, has now been specifically written into the act by the Legislature as RCW 42.”

Wash. Ass'n for Substance Abuse v. State, 278 P.3d 632 (Wash. 2012). “of Amici Curiae Local Gov't Officials at 15; RCW 66.44.010(1) ("All county and municipal peace officers are hereby charged with the duty of investigating and prosecuting all violations of this title.”

Washington Ass'n for Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention v. State, 174 Wash. 2d 642 (Wash. 2012). “of Amici Curiae Local Gov’t Officials at 15; RCW 66.44.010(1) (“All county and municipal peace officers are hereby charged with the duty of investigating and prosecuting all violations of this title .”

King v. Rushford (W.D. Wash. 2021). · cites it 2× “# 7 at 6 (citing RCW 66.44.010). Plaintiffs also 25 allege that LCB is acting ultra vires by allowing its agents, who do not have Basic Law 26 Enforcement Academy (“BLEA”) certification or training, to enforce criminal cannabis 27 statutes.”

King v. Rushford (W.D. Wash. 2022). “at 6, ¶¶ 14-16 (citing RCW 66.44.010). Plaintiffs also alleged that 21 LCB routinely acts beyond its statutory authority by allowing agents who do not have Basic Law 22 Enforcement Academy (“BLEA”) certification or training to enforce criminal cannabis statutes.”

— Wash. Rev. Code § 66.44.010(1) — 2 cases

— Wash. Rev. Code § 66.44.010(2) — 1 case

Spokane Police Guild v. Liquor Control Bd., 769 P.2d 283 (Wash. 1989). “RCW 66.44.010(2); WAC 314-60-030. [16] This definition of the "right to privacy" initially set forth in Hearst, at 135-36, has now been specifically written into the act by the Legislature as RCW 42.”

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