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An Alabama senator blocked all contracts scheduled for review by a joint legislative committee on Thursday afternoon, citing the aim to compel the Alabama Beverage Control Board to implement a statute on restaurants serving alcohol.
Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, requested a moment of “personal privilege” before addressing the room with his concerns. “Sometimes I feel these events are a little more one-sided so I’d like to turn it into a participatory function today. You’ll understand what I mean in a moment,” said Elliott.
Two legislative sessions ago, Elliot sponsored Alabama Act #2023-252, which would mandate that the Board allow employees between 18 and 20 years old working at restaurants and hotels to take an online exam allowing them to serve alcohol.
When expanding the locations where workers aged 18 to 20 could legally serve alcohol, such as hotels with restaurants, the law also required a restaurant or hotel covered under the law to be certified each year as a “responsible vendor.” This process became much simpler when the law also allowed these certifications to be earned online. When Governor Ivey signed this into law, Alabama became the 48th state to pass an act of this kind.
“The legislative intent of this law was to make it easier for Alabama businesses to train their employees in the responsible service of alcohol and to remove barriers which may impede their ability to do so. Something you’d think our ABC Board would find desirable,” said Elliott.
The Senator emphasized that the statute passed and was signed into law almost 18 months ago, but the Board has not taken steps to promulgate the new rules. During the contract review meeting in July, Elliott held a legal services non-litigation contract from the Board worth $95,000 for consultation and assistance with regulatory matters, research, and document preparation, sending a message to the Board to act quickly.
“To date, and some 18 months later, the ABC Board has failed to adopt rules as required by the act, failed to comply with the legislative intent of the act and failed to expand participation in the state’s RVP program which current hovers around the dismal participation rate of 20 percent,” said Elliott.
“Accordingly, Mr. Chairman, I am placing a hold on all contracts on today’s agenda. My hope is that with this action, along with each of your help, will encourage the ABC board and its bureaucracy to comply with both the legislative intent of this statute and the statute itself,” said Elliott.
The contract review committee held 60 contracts on Thursday.
