ABC Overview

To protect the public by regulating the alcoholic beverage industry in the Commonwealth through public outreach, education and enforcement. We have undertaken a special focus to combat youth access to alcohol and tobacco products.

Our Mission

Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Board Responsibilities

Regulate and oversee the alcoholic beverage industry

(KRS Chapters 241-244)Adjudicate and Levy Fines For Tobacco Violations

(KRS Chapter 438)

• Conduct administrative hearings for – Alcohol Violations– Tobacco Violations

• Full authority to issue, deny, suspend, or revoke alcoholic beverage licenses

Communications and Outreach

• Write and layout monthly Beverage Journal articles• Write and design ABC newsletter (soon to be online)• Draft press releases regarding department news and

announcements• Mitigate all constituent concerns that filter through the

website contact page and phone calls• Design and manage department website as well as assist

with cabinet website maintenance and updates as needed• Create graphics and obtain photographs for publications and

website• Assist education with new curriculum books and power point

presentations for S.T.A.R. program• Assist all areas of office with public presentations,

publications and events as needed

Licensing Division•Increase in number of licenses due to new license types since 2000

•Limited restaurant drink license

•Golf license

•Package and drink sampling license

•In total, there are 84 licenses ABC issued by ABC

•Moving to reduce number by consolidating and re-numbering.

EDUCATION BRANCH

• Created in 1998.

• S.T.A.R. (Server Training in Alcohol Regulations) was implemented in 2002.

• Branch currently consist of 3 full time employees and 20 instructors.

Mission

• To make the Commonwealth of Kentucky a safer place through education and public outreach

• Through S.T.A.R., train sellers and servers of alcohol regarding laws and liabilities

• To provide programs and information for schools and community groups regarding laws as well as dangers of underage drinking to assist in the main mission of the Alcoholic Beverage Control

• Kentucky Specific Responsible Beverage Server Training program designed for:Licensees, Local ABC Administrators Police Officers

• 4 ½ hour tested class• 3 year certification• Offered on Statewide rotating schedule• Available in Spanish

S.T.A.R. Program

Additional Outreach• Chosen to present at 2008 EDETC leadership

conference in Nashville to national audience• Assisted 39 communities passing local ordinances

mandating training• Secondary and post-secondary awareness

presentations• ASAP/Regional Prevention Meetings, Town Halls• Special Events Trainings• State Fair Booth, Conferences, Career Fairs

Education At Work

Enforcement Division Mission

The mission of the Enforcement Division of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to protect public welfare and interest by regulating the alcoholic beverage industry by enforcing the laws and regulations, and combating youth access to alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in a manner that fosters and protects the health, safety, welfare, and economic well being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Enforcement Division

•The investigators are vested by law with full police powers to enforce all state laws.

•Investigators are strategically located throughout the state to maximize their special emphasis on the enforcement of Kentucky's alcohol laws.

•Investigators also work closely with the Education Division staff to promote awareness

The Enforcement Division is comprised of

• Three Sections Across Kentucky

• 35 Sworn Investigators Across Kentucky

• One Investigative Auditor

• Two Administrative Assistants

• One Evidence Custodian/Fleet Manager

Enforcement Division

•The investigators are vested by law with full police powers to enforce all state laws.

•Investigators are strategically located throughout the state to maximize their special emphasis on the enforcement of Kentucky's alcohol laws.

•Investigators also work closely with the Education Division staff to promote awareness

Legal Division

•Primary responsibility is to review and prosecute licensee violations referred by the respective agencies.

•Represents the respective agencies in employee disciplinary matters.

Advises the Commissioner as to employment rights and regulations.Drafts disciplinary/suspension letters, etc.

Represents the agencies in cases before Personnel Board, anddrafts and files pleadings and motions, attends conferences, conducts trials, introduces evidence, questions witness, presents arguments.

• The Legal division:

•Drafts, and assists others in drafting, proposed bills for statutory changes/amendments and proposed statutory changes/amendments/

•Attends necessary legislative committee meetings and/or legislator meetings, and responds to legislator inquiries regarding proposed changes/amendments; andResponds to bill review requests from the PPC on behalf of the ABC.

Please contact our office if you have any questions. We will be happy to help you.

Sandra Watts – 502-782-1028

Website: www.ky.abc.gov