HB297 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

H. Mac Gipson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, due notice and hearing required for licensee before citation issued or fine imposed, Sec. 28-3A-24 am'd.

Summary

This bill would require the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to give due notice and hold a proper hearing before issuing citations or fines, and it clarifies hearing procedures and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It ensures licensees get due notice and a proper hearing before a citation is issued or a fine is imposed. It creates a hearing commission of at least three members to hear contested license applications and charges, and requires findings of fact, evidence, and the reasons for decisions. It allows fines up to $1,000, but only after due notice and proper hearing, and requires the licensee to pay within one week; failure to pay triggers automatic suspension. It sets limits on penalties: maximum suspension of one year, and one year of ineligibility after revocation. Fines collected go to the state's General Fund.

Who It Affects

• Alcoholic beverage licensees (retail licensees): must receive due notice and a hearing before citations or fines; may face fines up to $1,000 and potential suspensions or one-year ineligibility after revocation.
• Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and its hearing commission: must provide due process, appoint a three-member hearing commission for hearings, issue findings of fact and reasons, and collect fines to deposit into the General Fund.

Key Provisions

• Adds requirement of due notice and proper hearing before a citation or fine is issued.
• Creates a hearing commission of at least three members to hear contested applications and charges.
• Fines may be imposed up to $1,000 only after due notice and proper hearing.
• Licensees must pay fines within one week; failure to pay results in automatic suspension.
• Fines are deposited into the state General Fund.
• Maximum suspension length is one year; revocation can lead to one-year ineligibility for any license.
• Board or hearing commission must provide findings of fact, evidence, and reasons for decisions.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board