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Showing 10 posts from 2020.
Developments in Federal Law – Alcoholic Beverage Regulation: Congress Makes the CBMTRA Permanent and TTB Expands Allowable Standards of Fill
CBMTRA
To many, Washington D.C. has been consumed by COVID-19 and turbulence over the election, but to the alcoholic beverage industry there has been one goal dominating policy discussions: to make permanent the 2017 Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA), which was slated for expiration on December 31, 2020. More >
Restaurants Have Their Own Set of Healthy at Work Requirements
The Healthy at Work phase of reopening Kentucky businesses gained steam over the past couple of weeks with restaurants scheduled opening for dine-in customers on May 22, 2020. Restaurants must adhere to a set of industry specific guidelines provided by Governor Andy Beshear in addition to a set of minimum requirements which applies to most businesses in Kentucky. The Kentucky ABC also provided updated guidance to clarify that it is still allowing for restaurants to provide alcohol with curbside service, delivery, and carry-out, since restaurants will not be operating at full capacity. More >
Legislative Session Ends with Passage of Alcohol Regulation Changes – Senate Bill 99
On April 15th, the day the Kentucky legislative session ended, the Kentucky Senate approved and forwarded Senate Bill 99 to Governor Beshear for his expected signature. While the bill has been overshadowed by House Bill 415 and the COVID-19 emergency, the bill’s impact on the Commonwealth’s alcohol industry is fairly substantial. More >
Relief for Wholesalers and Distributors
After a flurry of executive orders and legislative action by Kentucky’s Governor and General Assembly to provide relief for hard hit alcohol retailers, at the request of our firm on behalf of distributor and wholesaler clients, the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet and Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued a new Order, effective April 8th, extending the hours that malt beverage distributors and wine and spirits wholesalers may deliver product to the retailers to “any time of the day that the retailer is ready, able and voluntarily willing to accept deliveries of product.” This Order will allow distributors and wholesalers to deliver product to retailers outside the existing restricted hours mandated by state statute and local ordinances, which will hopefully minimize the spread of Coronavirus and allow these middle tier industry members to more efficiently and safely manage their workforce.
More >
Provisions of New Kentucky Law, SB 150, Allow for Sales by the Drink Deliveries and Take-Out
On Thursday, March 26, 2020, Kentucky’s response to the coronavirus crisis took an odd turn in the Kentucky legislature with the passage of a bill that will now allow patrons to purchase, for carryout or delivery, alcohol by the drink. UPDATE - Gov. Beshear signed the bill on March 30th. More >
New Order from Gov. Beshear Closes All Non-Essential Retail Businesses
On Sunday, March 22, Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order that closes all non-essential retail as of 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Essential retail businesses listed in the order include grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, hardware stores and other businesses that provide staple goods. Luckily for alcohol retailers, that list includes liquor stores, which may remain open, but follow social distancing and hygiene guidance from the CDC and Kentucky Department of Public Health. Importantly for restaurants, carry-out, delivery and drive-through food and beverage sales may continue. More >
Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet Extends Package Sales Privileges to By-the-Drink Licensees
A Comprehensive Kentucky Update More >
Kentucky Bill May Provide Relief to Alcohol Sellers: Carryout Privileges and Suspended Fees
Alcohol By the Drink Carryout Privileges; Waivers for Fees and Deadlines for Applications and Renewals
New developments in Kentucky today include the following: on March 19th, the Kentucky House of Representatives passed legislation that, if approved by the Senate, will grant to relief to restaurants holding licenses to sell alcoholic beverages by the drink, who, for a period of time, would be able to sell alcoholic beverages on a delivery, to-go, or take-out basis in conjunction with food sales. Covered or sealed drinks that are ordered under these provisions would not be considered open containers. More >
Gov. Beshear Orders all Public-Facing Businesses to Close
3/17/20 -Kentucky’s Governor Beshear has signed an additional executive order closing down businesses beyond the initial wave of restaurant and bar closures. More >
Gov. Beshear Executive Order Restricts Onsite Consumption of Food and Alcohol
Monday, March 16, 2020, Kentucky’s Governor Beshear signed an executive order restricting the sale of food, beverages, and all alcoholic beverages to carry-out, delivery and drive thru, prohibiting onsite consumption. In addition, the order mandates social distancing of six feet for patrons and employees engaging in carry-out, delivery and drive-thru services. At this time, the Kentucky Alcoholic Beverage Control board has not offered guidance on how the order will impact its operations and whether it will grant relief in licensing, renewal, and/or operations of affected Kentucky licensees. The continued closure of services has also caused Churchill Downs to reschedule the 146th Kentucky Derby from May 2nd to September 5th, the first time the Derby has been postponed since 1945.
Stephen G. Amato is a Member of McBrayer law. Mr. Amato focuses his practice in the areas of hospitality law, civil litigation, employment law, and administrative law, and is located in the firm's Lexington office. He can be reached at samato@mcbrayerfirm.com or
(859) 231-8780, ext. 1104.
Services may be performed by others.
This article does not constitute legal advice.