6 Things You Need to Know About the Liquor Control Commission

What is the Liquor Control Commission?

First, a brief look into history
The temperance movement led to prohibition in the United States, from 1920 to 1933. This was a social movement that urged people against consuming alcoholic beverages to reduce crime and corruption. During the temperance movement many states came up with strict laws to control the sale and consumption of liquor.

After national prohibition was repealed in 1933, most states assigned the control of sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages to local jurisdictions. They did this to account for geographical preferences for, or against liquor. This came to be known as 'local option'. Approximately one-third of American states at the time decided to establish government control. These were called 'control states'. The remaining two-third of the states established private liquor license systems. The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), established in 1938, is the national association that represents control states.

Liquor control commission
The Department of the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is the national authority to regulate alcohol production, importation, wholesale distribution, labeling, and advertising. Each state, whether an alcohol control state or not, has its own authority to enforce rules and regulations around the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol, along with the federal laws. This body is known as the state liquor control commission.

A liquor control body will regulate who can manufacture, transport and sell alcoholic beverages. In most states, a control commission will have four main responsibilitiesissuing licenses, enforcing rules and regulations, settling complaints, and education and training. Each of these functions will be discussed in detail.

Duties of the Liquor Control Commission

The primary function of the control commission is to enforce the state law on alcohol regulation and liquor licensing. In most states, the liquor control commission is authorised to grant or deny license applications, frame rules, and conduct hearings and appeals at administrative disciplinary proceedings.

The commission also ensures that licensed bars and liquor outlets follow state laws regarding alcohol production and sales. Everything, from a mom-and-pop store that sells beer and wine, to wineries, distilleries, and breweries, comes under the jurisdiction of the liquor control commission . The commission can also arrest those found illegally selling liquor to minors, or involved in improper liquor production, or guilty of other infractions.

The control commission also manages finances from alcoholic beverage sales. For instance, the Michigan liquor control commission collects more than half a billion dollars annually in taxes, license fees, fines, and so on. It accounts for, and draws up reports on these monies; transfers them to the appropriate agencies, and manages the Liquor Purchase Revolving Fund.

It's important to know what you're up against when it comes to the Liquor Control Commission. You want to avoid any nasty surprises when you're trying to start your new business.

This article will help you understand how the state agency works and what it can do for you.

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The Liquor Control Commission Issues Licenses

The state liquor control commission deals with licensing. The control commission has to process requests for retail liquor licenses for restaurants, bars, hotels, and convenience stores. It also issues manufacturer and wholesaler licenses and special licenses for nonprofit organizations.

The licensing division of the control commission also looks after the license renewal process, verifies liquor license insurance, and processes requests for new and temporary permits and permissions.
In addition, the control commission regulates trade and credit practices related to the wholesale and retail sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages. The state Liquor Control body can also limit the number and type of licenses issued, in public interest. It is also tasked with monitoring and performing audits of licensed establishments.

The Liquor Control Commission Conducts Inspections

The liquor control commission of the state Control Board is tasked with investigation and inspection. The enforcement division is charged with investigating applications for new licenses. It also looks into violations of liquor laws and regulations, and works with law enforcement authorities to take action against these crimes.

Its roster of duties doesn't end there. The department is also tasked with conducting disciplinary proceedings, revoking, cancelling or suspending licenses and permits, and/or imposing fines as required.

Its remit extends beyond liquor sales. The control commission develops and implements enforcement plans for large-scale public events related to liquor law compliance. If people file complaint against a licensee over alleged violations, the department has to investigate the complaint.

Additionally, the control commission regularly inspects licensed establishments to ensure compliance with the Liquor Control Code and Commission rules. It also advises and assists law enforcement agencies in liquor law enforcement at the local level.

The Liquor Control Commission Conducts Training

The state liquor control commission has to educate consumers and license holders, be it a big or Small Business, about the state's liquor laws. The advocacy of the control commission also includes precautionary and prevention programs on the legal, financial, social and health risks of alcohol abuse. It also advises and assists law enforcement agencies, training officers about liquor laws to ensure public safety.

For instance, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission Division of Enforcement and Licensing hosts a monthly schedule of alcohol awareness events to generate awareness for employees, restaurant owners and the public. The Vermont liquor control commission also requires that all who sell or serve alcohol or tobacco must attend training and be certified by the Division of Liquor Control. There are several types of server training available. Many commissions also offer in-person and online services for these purposes.

The sale of alcohol is governed by a lengthy list of rules of regulations, overseen by the liquor control commission.

Whether you’re starting a new business or running an old one, it’s always a good idea to revise the rules. This article is where you begin.

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Liquor Control Commission Rules and Regulations

Most liquor control commissions have a long list of rules and regulations around licensing, compliance, training and education. These are listed on their websites. Most of the rules enforced by the control commissions have been discussed above. Here we'll list a few of the unique rules that some state liquor commissions follow-

1. The liquor control commission in Alaska and Louisiana allow underage drinking (drinking under the age of 21) for medical purposes, and on private premises that don't sell alcoholif there is parental consent.
2. In California, commission law states that motor vehicles entering from Mexico may only import one liter of duty-free alcohol. Selling or distributing grain alcohol that has over 60% alcohol by volume is legal, if it is sold by a pharmacy or drugstore to a person with a prescription, But there is no upper limit for other distilled liquors.
3. Bars and restaurants in Hawaii have to stop serving alcohol at 2 am, but businesses holding a special 'cabaret license' can continue serving alcohol until 4 am.
4. In Massachusetts, no individual, partnership, or corporation can possess more than nine off-premise licences in the state. A non-resident individual or a partnership or corporation not headquartered in Massachusetts cannot apply for a license if they Want Open a new liquor business.

Liquor Control Commission FAQs

• Most liquor control commissions create and enforce laws in tandem with federal laws. For instance, before 1984 each state had its own legal drinking age. But since 1984, the national minimum legal drinking age is 21 years. Some states set a legal limit on the amount of alcohol per drink.
• Kansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee are dry states by default. A city or county has to specifically authorize the sale of alcohol to make it legal, but it is still subject to state liquor control laws. A dry state can be defined as a state where manufacturing, distribution, import and sale of alcohol is illegal or tightly restricted. While no state in the United States is completely dry today, dry counties within the states still exist. There are 33 states that allow localities to go dry.
• Unites States also has the blue law or Sunday law that restricts or bans certain recreational activities or restricts the sale of certain items such as alcoholic beverages, usually on Sundays. Some counties in states like Kentucky and Texas allow beer and wine sales on Sundays, but not liquor sales.

You’ve done the legwork, secured your liquor permits, and opened your new bar. But that’s not the end of it.

Are you up to speed with all the rules laid down by the liquor control commission? No? This article will walk you through them.

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