HB223 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jerry StarnesRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to Autauga County; to further provide for the regulation of the sale of alcoholic beverages in the unincorporated areas of the county; to authorize the Autauga County Commission to issue a separate county business license for any person or business required to have a retail license from the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the unincorporated areas of the county; and to provide for a fee for the license and for the enforcement of this requirement.

Summary

HB223 creates a separate Autauga County license and local rules to regulate the sale of alcoholic beverages in the county’s unincorporated areas, supplementing the state ABC Board license.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Autauga County Commission to issue a separate county business license for anyone selling alcoholic beverages in the unincorporated areas, with annual fees up to $200 (fee may vary by ABC Board license type). It allows the sale of draft or keg beer by ABC Board licensees in the unincorporated areas for on-premises or off-premises consumption (or both), but with a 64-ounce container limit and off-premises keg sales prohibited unless specifically allowed, and requires compliance with the ABC Board’s Responsible Vendor Program. It may permit Sunday alcohol sales after 12:00 p.m., subject to the same Responsible Vendor requirements. It adds licensing and enforcement tools, including inspections for fire safety and health, and allows the county to deny or revoke licenses and pursue enforcement in court.

Who It Affects

• ABC Board-licensed retailers operating in Autauga County’s unincorporated areas must obtain and maintain the separate county business license and follow additional local requirements.
• Residents and businesses in Autauga County’s unincorporated areas will be affected by new rules on where and when alcohol can be sold, container size limits, Sunday sales, and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions

• Autauga County Commission may issue a separate county business license for selling alcoholic beverages in unincorporated areas; annual fee not to exceed $200; fees may vary by ABC Board license type.
• Draft or keg beer may be sold by ABC Board licensees in unincorporated areas for on-premises or off-premises consumption (or both), with a 64-ounce container limit; off-premises keg sales are prohibited unless specifically authorized; licensees must comply with the Responsible Vendor Program.
• The county may authorize Sunday alcohol sales after 12:00 p.m., with compliance to the Responsible Vendor Program.
• License requirements may include fire safety inspections and health department inspections related to food/beverage service and septic/sewer service.
• Violations may lead to license denial or revocation; the county can enforce through injunctive relief in the Autauga County Circuit Court.
• Effective date and scope: applies only to Autauga County’s unincorporated areas; effective Oct 1, 2023 for the new county license requirement; otherwise becomes law as provided.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.