HB555 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Ball

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Alcoholic beverages, retail licensees, servers required to register with Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, fees, fines, penalties, Secs. 28-1-8 to 28-1-15, inclusive, added;

Summary

HB555 would require all servers at on-premises alcohol locations in Alabama to register with the ABC Board, fund enforcement through new fees, and impose penalties for noncompliance.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires every person who serves or provides alcoholic beverages at on-premises licensed locations to obtain a server registration ID from the ABC Board. ID cards are valid for four years, with renewals and associated fees; duplicates cost $20 and renewal rules include a 30-day grace period. The bill creates the ABC Board Law Enforcement Licensing Fund to collect fees and pay enforcement costs, with funds distributed to the General Fund and other designated funds; it also outlines penalties for noncompliance, including fines, suspensions, and revocations of server IDs. It authorizes the Board to suspend or revoke IDs and imposes various fees (e.g., initial $35, reinstatement, and late renewal) with specified allocations to state funds. It also sets restrictions on unauthorized reproductions of IDs, and on use of official seals for commercial purposes, each carrying specific penalties.

Who It Affects

• Servers and other personnel who handle alcoholic beverages at on-premises licensed locations — must obtain and carry a server registration ID, renew every four years, and face fines or suspension/revocation for noncompliance.
• Employers/licensees operating on-premises alcohol venues and the ABC Board (including related enforcement funding) — must ensure staff are registered, collect and remit associated fees, and support enforcement activities funded by the new ABC Board Law Enforcement Licensing Fund.

Key Provisions

• §28-1-8: Requiring every server/employee at on-premises licensed locations to obtain a server registration ID from the ABC Board before handling alcohol; acceptable photo ID forms listed for initial application.
• §28-1-8(b): Server ID valid for four years; renewals every four years; renewal fees; 30-day grace period after expiration; $100 reinstatement fee for late renewal; funds split between the ABC Board Law Enforcement Licensing Fund and General Fund.
• §28-1-9: Duplicate ID process with a $20 fee; funds split among ABC Fund, General Fund, and Peace Officers Annuity Benefit Fund; penalties for false affidavits.
• §28-1-10: ABC Board can suspend or revoke server IDs; reinstatement fees ($275 total, split between funds); additional $50 non-refundable fee if not surrendered within 30 days; notice requirements.
• §28-1-11: Penalties for serving without ID, false oath, concealment of facts; offenses are misdemeanors; penalties include fines and potential jail time; ID must be produced to avoid conviction.
• §28-1-12: Original server ID application fee $35; distribution of fees to ABC Fund ($20), General Fund ($10), and Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund ($5).
• §28-1-13: Unlawful to possess or present unauthorized reproductions of server IDs; Class A misdemeanor.
• §28-1-14: Prohibition on commercial use of the Great Seal or ABC Seal; Class C felony for violations.
• §28-1-15: Establishment of ABC Board Law Enforcement Licensing Fund; governs how fees are deposited and spent; funds administered separately in the State Treasury; expenditures limited to authorized purposes and require legislative appropriation; unspent funds roll over to the state treasury at year end.
• Effective date: The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor’s 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