State lawmakers should consider passing legislation to restrict giveaways of alcohol at large events by “public entities” and allowing the state to suspend or terminate entertainment districts in certain circumstances, according to ABC Board administrator Curtis Stewart.
Following the October 4 downtown Montgomery shootings that left two dead and 12 injured, Gov. Kay Ivey asked Stewart to review Alabama laws, expectations and requirements regarding entities that are licensed to sell alcohol.
She went on to add, “specifically those in highly populated and heavily traveled areas, as well as for special events, where the sale and consumption of alcohol is taking place after 5:00 p.m. within the city of Montgomery.”
The City of Montgomery hosted an event offering free beer to attendees on October 3.
Stewart said in a letter to Ivey on Tuesday, “Our most immediate task will be to propose administrative rule changes to the ABC Board. These potential changes include prohibiting package stores located in an entertainment district from selling products (such as cups of ice) that facilitate off-premises alcohol consumption. They also include limiting the amount of alcohol that a special retail licensee may sell for off-premises consumption. In proposing such changes, our goal will be to ensure that the Board is doing all it can responsibly do within its existing regulatory framework to promote public safety.”
“Beyond potential rule changes by the ABC Board, we have also identified several ideas for consideration by the Legislature. These ideas should also improve public safety but are beyond the reach of the ABC Board’s existing regulatory authority:
- Impose curfews for minors in entertainment districts
- Restrict giveaways of alcohol at large public events in an entertainment district by public entities.
- Allow the State to suspend or terminate an entertainment district if public safety standards are not met
We are certainly open to other ideas as well, and we stand ready to work with any legislator who would like to pursue these or other reforms during the Legislature’s 2026 Regular Session,” Stewart said in the letter.
Ivey said in a statement on Tuesday, “Public safety is paramount, and the state will continue being proactive to ensure safe communities for our citizens.”
“I appreciate Administrator Stewart evaluating how we can take commonsense steps when it comes to alcohol consumption in entertainment districts across our state. I support the immediate steps he is proposing the ABC Board take, and I look forward to further exploring possible reasonable policy changes to enhance public safety,” Ivey said.
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