Relating to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; to amend Sections 28-1-5, as amended by Act 2022-383, 2022 Regular Session, and 28-10-6 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to authorize an employee of a restaurant or hotel that is a restaurant or special retail licensee of the board to serve alcoholic beverages under the same specified conditions as an employee of a restaurant licensee; and to further provide for the forms and records of responsible vendor training.
If enacted, SB135 would significantly alter the landscape of underage employment in establishments that serve alcohol. By allowing younger employees to serve alcoholic beverages under specified conditions, the bill aims to increase the labor pool available for the hospitality sector. Given the ongoing challenges many restaurants and hotels face in staffing, especially post-pandemic, this could lead to positive economic effects on local economies. However, it maintains critical checks such as requiring responsible vendor certifications and ensuring that underage employees are supervised by individuals over 21.
SB135 is a bill aimed at amending the existing laws around the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in Alabama. Specifically, it seeks to modify Sections 28-1-5 and 28-10-6 of the Code of Alabama 1975, allowing employees aged 18 to 20 of restaurants or hotels that are licensed vendors to serve alcoholic beverages under certain conditions. This bill includes stipulations that such employees must work strictly as servers or bussers, and prohibits them from acting as bartenders, pouring or dispensing alcohol, or delivering drinks to guest rooms. The aim is to adapt employee roles to help alleviate workforce shortages in the hospitality industry while ensuring compliant service practices.
The overall sentiment regarding SB135 appears to be cautiously optimistic among supporters who believe this will aid the struggling hospitality industry. Advocates argue that it allows for responsible integration of younger workers into roles that have historically been restricted. However, concerns have been expressed regarding potential risks involved in allowing younger individuals to serve alcohol, leading to some skepticism about its long-term impacts on public health and safety, particularly in regard to underage drinking.
The debates surrounding SB135 highlight a tension between economic opportunity and public safety. Some legislators and advocacy groups have raised concerns that the bill may inadvertently contribute to issues of underage drinking and increase liability for establishments. Critics argue that while the economic benefits are clear, the implications for community standards regarding alcohol service must be taken seriously. The implementation of responsible vendor training and adherence to supervisory requirements are seen as necessary but may not entirely mitigate these risks.