Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) today introduced legislation that incorporates the 43 recommendations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control task force.  Councilmember Graham convened the task force which met more than 10 times between December 2011 and April 2012.

“This bill is a result of that lengthy process, which involved more than ten meetings and over thirty hours of meetings.  The task force developed 43 detailed recommendations, all of which are reflected in this bill,” said Graham.

Councilmember Graham also held three public roundtables on these subjects.  On April 17, he conducted a hearing on the issue of extended bar hours.  On May 8, he held a hearing on the 43 task force recommendations.  And on June 12, he convened a hearing on the issue of Sunday sales by Class-A licensees.

“This legislation addresses the problem of spillover noise in neighborhoods that are adjacent to entertainment areas.  The bill requires a nighttime complaint line and a response team at ABRA that will be operational every night until one hour after the legal bar closing time,” said Graham.

The bill requires the response team to contact the manager on duty at the establishment about which a complaint was lodged immediately after getting a complaint.  The bill strengthens enforcement by defining and adding additional violations to the ABC law, and changes the law to permit residents to purchase liquor at Class-A licensees on Sundays.  Additionally, the bill clarifies procedures and issues of standing with respect to the protest of a license.  The bill also provides more detail about what may be included in a Voluntary Agreement.

Councilmember Graham will convene a hearing on this bill on Thursday, July 12 at 11 AM in room 412 of the John A Wilson Building.