SB315 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ben H. Brooks
Republican
Co-Sponsor: Rusty Glover
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Class 2 municipalities, approval or denial of liquor licenses, appeals to circuit court, requirement for de novo review deleted, Sec. 28-1-6 am'd.
Summary: SB315 changes how Class 2 municipalities handle liquor licenses by allowing expedited circuit court review of denials and outlining specific grounds for reversal, with local approval required for issuance.
What This Bill Does
In Class 2 municipalities, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board cannot issue a license unless the local governing body approves it or the circuit court reverses a denial on defined grounds; the court review is an expedited de novo process with no jury. The hearing must be scheduled within 30 days of initiation and the proceeding must start within 14 days of the denial. The grounds for reversal include nuisance creation, harm to health or safety, zoning violations, prior convictions of applicants or related individuals, proximity to schools or child care facilities and related hours, traffic concerns, and other risks to neighborhoods or the public welfare. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor’s approval.

Who It Affects
Businesses and individuals seeking liquor licenses in Class 2 municipalities, who will need local approval or expedited court reversal to obtain a license, with specific timelines for appeals.
Class 2 municipal governing bodies, the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, and circuit court judges, who administer and participate in the expedited de novo review process and determine whether denials should be overturned.

Key Provisions
For Class 2 municipalities, a liquor license cannot be issued by the ABC Board unless the site is approved by the local governing body or the denial is overturned by the circuit court on defined grounds (1-7) plus an 8th catch-all risk; grounds include nuisance, health/safety impacts, zoning violations, prior convictions of applicant/officer/director, proximity to school/child care, and traffic issues.
The review of a Class 2 license denial by the circuit court is an expedited de novo proceeding, conducted by a circuit judge without a jury, with the denial action to be commenced within 14 days and a hearing set within 30 days.
The act provides for expedited de novo review for Class 1 licensing denials as well, with grounds specified for reversal, though the enumerated grounds differ slightly from Class 2.
Effective date: the act becomes effective immediately upon the governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Alcoholic Beverages