HB426 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to alcoholic beverage licenses; to amend Section 28-3A-23, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for criminal background checks of license applicants.

Summary

HB426 updates Alabama's background-check process for alcohol license applicants by requiring consent, fingerprints, and FBI checks, with applicants paying the costs.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires license applicants to sign a sworn consent form for releasing criminal history information and provide their name, birth date, and Social Security number. It also requires two sets of fingerprints to be submitted to the State Bureau of Investigation or a contracted entity to run background checks, with results forwarded to the FBI for national checks, and the applicant paying all related costs. The bill defines who counts as an applicant, keeps background information confidential, and maintains standard licensing rules such as local approval, display of licenses, and separate licenses for each location.

Who It Affects

• Prospective alcoholic beverage license applicants (including any person with 10% or more ownership in the licensed establishment) who will undergo background checks and pay the associated costs.
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, the State Bureau of Investigation, and any contracted background-check entity responsible for conducting background checks and handling related information.

Key Provisions

• Applicants must submit a sworn consent form for the release of criminal history information, and provide full identifying details (name, date of birth, and Social Security number).
• Applicants must supply two complete fingerprints (paper or electronic) to be processed by the SBI or a contracted entity, which will forward prints to the FBI for a national background check; the applicant pays all costs.
• The term 'applicant' includes anyone with a 10% or greater proprietary or profit interest in the licensed establishment (excluding public corporations).
• Background information obtained under these provisions must be kept confidential by the board, with limited disclosure to support license denial or under subpoena.
• Licensing processes require local authority approval, licenses must be displayed publicly, and licenses are generally for separate premises and types of operation; the bill also outlines transfer and related fee provisions.

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

Subjects

ABC license applicants, criminal background check process revised