Appeals Court Issues Stay Order in Costco Case

Prevents rush to address alcohol beverage laws.

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court yesterday extended the stay of a lower court ruling that would have required the Washington State Legislature to rewrite the state alcohol beverage laws by May 1.

The lower court last year ruled that a host of the state's alcohol beverage control laws were unconstitutional. It gave the state legislature until May 1 to change the law.

Yesterday's appeals court ruling gives the legislature breathing room.

"The stay of the district court's judgment is continued in effect until further order of this court or until issuance of the mandate," the court wrote.

Beer Business Daily called the ruling "a victory for three-tier advocates and for small brewers, but it remains to be seen what will happen in the actual appeal."

To see a copy of the ruling, click here.

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