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Administrator flags regulatory updates and enforcement coordinator reports May compliance results
Summary
Board Administrator Tammy Hildenbrand briefed members on recent legislation affecting liquor licensing and fines; enforcement staff reported 34 tobacco compliance visits in May (30 pass, 4 fail), and the board discussed revising its penalty matrix and the possibility of adding an alternate member.
Board Administrator Tammy Hildenbrand told the Alcoholic Beverage Board on June 12 that recently enacted state legislation will require changes to the board's rules and regulations and flagged a change in maximum civil penalties effective July 1.
Hildenbrand said the legislation will “require us to modify our rules and regulations for sure” and noted the statutory change will raise the board's maximum fine for certain violations (she cited that the ceiling will move from $1,000 to $2,500). She said some regulatory language will need revision and that any proposed changes to the board's internal penalty matrix are discretionary for the board.
During the administrator's report board members also discussed whether the board should have an alternate member to ensure a quorum. One board member suggested adding “at least 1 alternate” so the board can convene if regular members are absent; staff said they would research whether statute permits alternates and, if so, prepare suggested language for the board to consider.
Deputy Stephen Myers, the county's alcohol enforcement coordinator, reported that for May the sheriff's office visited 34 locations for tobacco compliance checks; 30 passed and 4 failed. Myers said those failures were the matters scheduled before the board. He also reported law-enforcement activity for May included 12 DUI arrests by the sheriff's office and 16 by the state police.
Board inspector Kevin Hall reported 13 inspections since the last meeting and said staff have continued training and outreach, including a webinar on so-called "crossover" drinks (nonstandard alcohol products that resemble nonalcoholic beverages). Board members flagged concerns about retailers stocking new canned alcoholic products that resemble nonalcoholic drinks and asked staff to monitor how retailers present and label those items.
Hildenbrand asked whether the board wanted to change the penalty matrix to reflect the new statutory maximum; members said it was a topic for future consideration and that any update would be brought to the board for a vote.
