Senator blocks contract approvals amid dispute with Alabama ABC Board
Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, attends an event at the Alabama State Capitol on March 21, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. Elliott has introduced a bill that would allow private schools to enter contracts with local law enforcement agencies to employ school resource officers. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
A south Alabama senator Thursday blocked all contracts scheduled for review by a joint legislative committee, saying wanted to compel a state agency to implement a law on restaurants serving alcohol.
Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, announced his decision to hold all the contracts prior to the start of the meeting of the Contract Review Committee. Elliott said he wanted other agencies to pressure the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board to implement a 2023 law mandating that the Board allow employees between 18 and 20 years old working at restaurants and hotels to take an online exam allowing them to serve alcohol.
"It is very frustrating, and you heard my colleagues on the committee say this too, for the Legislature, an entire branch of government, to be ignored by the bureaucracy," Elliott told reporters after the meeting. "We passed this piece of legislation. We have communicated with the ABC Board what the legislative intent was, communicated by phone call, in person and in writing, what the intent was. And 18 months later, we still have no rules promulgated by the bureaucracy that is charged with doing that."
Dean Argo, manager of government relations and communications with the ABC Board, said in a statement Thursday that online training is already available through the board.
"The 2023 law by Sen. Chris Elliott did not require the ABC Board to promulgate rules or change any existing rules," Argo said in a statement. "A private association approached the ABC Board three months ago and requested that several rules regarding the online training presentation be clarified to benefit its members."
Argo said the clarifications did not affect online training offering, but there was disagreement over how incorrect answers on the test were processed. Board staff presented modified rules last month, which Argo said will be considered at the board's next meeting on Nov. 14.
The law, introduced by Elliott as SB 135 in 2023, expanded the locations where workers aged 18 to 20 — below the legal drinking age of 21 — could legally serve alcohol, such as hotels with restaurants. It also required a restaurant or hotel covered under the law to be certified each year as a "responsible vendor."
"Responsible vendor training or testing for these licensees may be conducted by any means available, including, but not limited to, online by computer, in a classroom, or by live trainers," the bill states.
Elliott expressed frustration at the delays.
"I am hoping there are phone calls getting made saying, 'Hey, you all get your stuff in order and get to work because now we have got a lot held up," he said.
Members of the committee had only a few questions regarding the contracts presented to them Thursday, which staff from the different agencies had answered.
Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, objected to Elliott's delay and tried to get the members to reconsider the committee's longstanding position to hold contracts if even a single legislator called for it.
"I think it is unfair for those agencies to come here and present their case and have a blanket objection for any contracts that have been approved," he said.
Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, defended the practice.
"One member does have the right to hold any contract, and that is just the way this committee works," he said. "It is a quorum of one, and each member has the right to vote on as many contracts as he so chooses at any time."
