The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approved new rules on Thursday for training alcohol servers. Sen. Chris Elliot, R-Josephine, had called for these rules last week to advance state contracts.
The board unanimously approved the regulations outlining how vendors can now train their employees online about alcohol service laws.
In July, in hopes of sending a message to the ABC Board, Elliot held non-litigation legal contracts that the ABC Board had presented at a Contract Review Committee meeting.
Following the vote, Elliot lifted the holds he had previously placed on contracts during the Contract Review Committee meeting.
Last week, Elliott said the ABC Board had failed to comply with a state law he sponsored, which regulates training for 18 to 20-year-olds serving alcohol in certain establishments.
Elliott’s legislation expanded the types of venues where these young servers—who are not legally allowed to purchase alcohol—could work, including hotels and restaurants. It also introduced a requirement for these businesses to obtain annual certification under the state’s “Responsible Vendor” program.
As part of the certification, vendors must provide training to employees on alcohol service regulations. Previously, workers were required to take the training exam in person at the venue.
Elliott’s bill now allows the exam to be completed online, making the process more accessible and efficient for businesses and their staff.
The rule changes will go through a period of public comment before being implemented.
