HB176 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Richard J. Laird
Independent
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Randolph Co., alcoholic beverages, co. commission authorized to regulate location in relation to churches and schools, exceptions, civil penalties
Summary: The bill authorizes Randolph County to regulate how close alcohol licensees can be to churches and schools in unincorporated areas, with penalties for violations.
What This Bill Does
The county can set distance requirements between Alcoholic Beverage Control licensees and churches or schools in the unincorporated area. Licenses granted before the act, or operating lawfully under the ordinance before any change to a church or school, are exempt. Violations can incur civil penalties up to $500 per day after notice and a hearing, and the county may seek injunctive relief in court. The act becomes effective immediately after the governor's approval.

Who It Affects
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board licensees operating in Randolph County's unincorporated areas: must follow the distance rules once the county enacts an ordinance; exempt if the license was granted before the act or if they operate lawfully under the ordinance before changes to a church or school affect their operation.
Randolph County Commission and county officials: authorized to enact and enforce the distance ordinance and penalties, including injunctive relief.
Churches and schools located in Randolph County's unincorporated areas: have distance protections from nearby licensees, determined by the county's ordinance.
Residents and other businesses in the unincorporated area: potentially affected by where licenses can operate and by enforcement actions.

Key Provisions
The county commission may regulate the distance between licensees and churches or schools in the unincorporated area by ordinance, with distances measured from licensee property lines to church/school property lines.
Exemptions: licenses granted before the act's effective date, or licensees operating lawfully under the ordinance before changes to a church or school affect their operation, are not subject to the new distance requirements.
Enforcement: civil penalties up to $500 per day for violations after notice and a hearing, and injunctive relief in the Randolph County Circuit Court.
Effective date: the act takes effect immediately after 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: Randolph County