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Senate debates restricted account to support Alcoholic Beverage Control enforcement
Summary
Senate Bill 72 would create a restricted account capped at $180,000 from DABC fine collections to fund legal support for ABC enforcement; proponents say it aligns resources with enforcement needs, while at least one senator opposed restricted accounts and urged appropriations review.
Senator Jay Stevenson presented Senate Bill 72, which would place a portion of alcoholic beverage control (DABC) fine collections into a restricted account capped at $180,000 to fund legal support in the Attorney General's office for ABC enforcement.
Stevenson said the Alcohol Enforcement Fund established in 2011 increased enforcement activity and administrative costs, and that caseloads and repeat offenders have made legal support more necessary. He told colleagues the bill would funnel a capped portion of fines and fees into a restricted account to pay for an entry-level attorney and additional support staff, and emphasized the intent not to affect existing law-enforcement revenue streams.
Senator Hilliard stated he planned to vote no on principle because he does not favor restricted funds. "They can go in front of their committee like any other group and make their case," Hilliard said, urging that such funding requests belong in the appropriations process so there is accounting and oversight. Hilliard said he supports the objective but not the procedural use of a dedicated restricted account.
Stevenson responded in summation that directing money where it is generated makes sense and noted the cap is $180,000 and would pay for an entry-level attorney and support staff. He moved the bill to third reading. The transcript records debate and the motion to advance; a final recorded third-reading tally was not printed in the provided segment of the transcript.
