Alabama Alcohol Beverage Licensing and Compliance
This is the seventh and final post (Part VII) in a seven-part series on alcohol beverage licensing and compliance in Alabama. Part I provides a brief history of the ABC Board and an overview of the regulatory framework in Alabama. Part II outlines issues you should consider before applying for an Alabama Beverage Control Board License. Part III outlines the ABC licensure process. Part IV summarizes key regulatory provisions applicable to on-premises licensees. Part V summarizes key regulatory provisions applicable to off-premises licensees. Part VI discusses ABC enforcement actions and ABC administrative hearings. Part VII provides an overview of the ABC’s Responsible Vendor Training Program.
Part VII: The Alabama Beverage Control Board’s Responsible Vendor Training Program
In 1990, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Responsible Vendor Act establishing the Responsible Vendor Program (RVP). See Alabama Code § 28-10-1 et. seq. In doing so, the Legislature intended to eliminate the sale of alcoholic beverages to, and consumption of, alcoholic beverages by underage persons; reduce intoxication, accidents, injuries, and deaths in the state which are related to intoxication; and encourage alcoholic beverage vendors to be prudent in their selling practices and to restrict or reduce the sanctions that may be imposed in administrative proceedings by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board against those vendors who comply with the Act.
RVP is a voluntary program allowing retail licensees to become certified through the ABC Board. The program requires licensees to train all employees who are involved in the management, sale, and/or service of alcoholic beverages. Licensees who join the program must establish policies ensuring legal, responsible sales, and must to train employees in these policies.
RVP training covers the following topics for on-premises and off-premises alcohol licensees:
- General legal concepts including DUI, Publix intoxication, and Dram Shop law,
- Tips on recognizing intoxicated persons,
- Effects of alcohol on intoxicated persons,
- Determining legal age,
- Spotting fake IDs,
- Required signage, including the posting of the ABC Board license, person in charge sign, ounces of alcohol in liquor sign, and the RVP/We ID sign,
- Specific regulations applicable to on-premises licensees,
- Specific regulations applicable to off-premises licensees,
- Beer, wine, and liquor tasting regulations,
- ABC Board license types,
- ABC Board renewal requirements, and
- Requirements for maintaining RVP certification.
Licensees who maintain an RVP certification may enjoy benefits such as lower insurance premiums. Retail restaurant licensees who are RVP certified, may employ 19 and 20-year-old servers (but not bartenders).
See the previous series:
Part I: History and Regulatory Framework
Part II: Initial Considerations Before Applying For An Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Licence
Part III: The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Licensure Process
Part IV: Key Regulatory Provisions Applicable to On-Site Premises Licensees
Part V: Key Off-Premises Regulatory Provisions
Part VI: ABC Enforcement Actions and Administrative Hearings
Jansen Voss is a partner with Christian & Small law firm. With offices in Birmingham and the Alabama Gulf Coast, Jansen represents bars, restaurants, hotels, breweries, distilleries, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and liquor stores throughout the state of Alabama. He assists businesses with the ABC licensure process and consults on alcohol regulatory matters. Jansen defends ABC licensees in administrative enforcement actions before the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Hearing Commission. He is approved by the Alabama Beverage Control Board to provide Responsible Vendor training throughout the state of Alabama for both on-premises and off-premises licensees. Jansen also routinely defends alcohol licensees in Dram Shop civil lawsuits in state courts throughout the state of Alabama. Jansen’s clients include large chain restaurants, award-winning fine dining restaurants, large grocery store chains, and large gas station and convenience store chains. He also represents local breweries, distilleries, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores. Jansen can be reached at 205-250-6632 or at mjvoss@csattorneys.com
About Christian & Small
Christian & Small LLP represents a diverse clientele throughout Alabama, the Southeast, and the nation with clients ranging from individuals and closely-held businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. By matching highly experienced lawyers with specific client needs, Christian & Small develops innovative, effective, and efficient solutions for clients. With offices in Birmingham, metro-Jackson, Mississippi, and the Alabama Gulf Coast, Christian & Small focuses on the areas of litigation and business, is a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, and is the only Alabama-based member firm in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. Our corporate social responsibility program is focused on education, and diversity is one of Christian & Small’s core values.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.