Three-tier system — Direct or indirect interests between industry members, affiliates, and retailers.
RCW 66.28.290
in effect(1) Notwithstanding any prohibitions and restrictions contained in this title, it shall be lawful for an industry member or affiliate to have a direct or indirect financial interest in another industry member or a retailer, and for a retailer or affiliate to have a direct or indirect financial interest in an industry member unless such interest has resulted or is more likely than not to result in undue influence over the retailer or the industry member or has resulted or is more likely than not to result in an adverse impact on public health and safety. The structure of any such financial interest must be consistent with subsection (2) of this section. (2) Subject to subsection (1) of this section and except as provided in RCW 66.28.295 : (a) An industry member in whose name a license or certificate of approval has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed pursuant to RCW 66.24.320 , 66.24.330 , 66.24.350 , 66.24.360 , 66.24.371 , 66.24.380 , 66.24.395 , 66.24.400 , 66.24.425 , 66.24.452 , 66.24.495 , 66.24.540 , 66.24.550 , 66.24.570 , * 66.24.580 , 66.24.590 , 66.24.600 , and 66.24.610 , but may not have such a license issued in its name; and (b) A retailer in whose name a license has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed or holding a certificate of approval pursuant to RCW 66.24.140 , 66.24.170 , 66.24.206 , 66.24.240 , 66.24.244 , 66.24.270 (2), 66.24.200 , or 66.24.250 , but may not have such a license or certificate of approval issued in its name; and (c) A supplier in whose name a license or certificate of approval has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed as a distributor or importer under this title, but such supplier may not have a license as a distributor or importer issued in its own name; and (d) A distributor or importer in whose name a license has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed or holding a certificate of approval as a supplier under this title, but such distributor or importer may not have a license or certificate of approval as a supplier issued in its own name.
(1) Notwithstanding any prohibitions and restrictions contained in this title, it shall be lawful for an industry member or affiliate to have a direct or indirect financial interest in another industry member or a retailer, and for a retailer or affiliate to have a direct or indirect financial interest in an industry member unless such interest has resulted or is more likely than not to result in undue influence over the retailer or the industry member or has resulted or is more likely than not to result in an adverse impact on public health and safety. The structure of any such financial interest must be consistent with subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Subject to subsection (1) of this section and except as provided in RCW 66.28.295 :
(a) An industry member in whose name a license or certificate of approval has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed pursuant to RCW 66.24.320 , 66.24.330 , 66.24.350 , 66.24.360 , 66.24.371 , 66.24.380 , 66.24.395 , 66.24.400 , 66.24.425 , 66.24.452 , 66.24.495 , 66.24.540 , 66.24.550 , 66.24.570 , * 66.24.580 , 66.24.590 , 66.24.600 , and 66.24.610 , but may not have such a license issued in its name; and
(b) A retailer in whose name a license has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed or holding a certificate of approval pursuant to RCW 66.24.140 , 66.24.170 , 66.24.206 , 66.24.240 , 66.24.244 , 66.24.270 (2), 66.24.200 , or 66.24.250 , but may not have such a license or certificate of approval issued in its name; and
(c) A supplier in whose name a license or certificate of approval has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed as a distributor or importer under this title, but such supplier may not have a license as a distributor or importer issued in its own name; and
(d) A distributor or importer in whose name a license has been issued pursuant to this title may wholly own or hold a financial interest in a separate legal entity licensed or holding a certificate of approval as a supplier under this title, but such distributor or importer may not have a license or certificate of approval as a supplier issued in its own name.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=66.28&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026