HB176 Summary

• Authorizes individuals aged 18, 19, and 20 years old employed by Alcoholic Beverage Control Board-licensed restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages during normal dining hours, provided they are certified as responsible vendors.

• Restricts underage servers from working as bartenders or pouring/dispensing beverages; they may only serve beverages as part of their duties as a server or busser, with an adult supervisor present at all times.

• Permits underage employees of wholesale licensees or off-premises retail licensees to handle, transport, or sell alcoholic beverages within the scope of their employment.

• Establishes tiered civil penalties against licensees who require underage employees to handle alcoholic beverages in violation of restrictions: $250 for first offense, $500 for second offense, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offense.

• Updates terminology in Code of Alabama 1975 from "person" to "individual" and makes technical revisions; becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval.