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Major Legislative Victories for DC Restaurants & Bars
December 17, 2014
Major Legislative Victories for DC Restaurants & Bars
Today the Council of the District of Columbia voted on B20-0902 – Omnibus Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Amendment Act of 2014. There were two major victories for RAMW and our members today! These victories would not have been possible without your support, calls and letters to the Council. Thank you for responding to our calls to action. Your mobilization helped ensure that we were able to:
- Hold the line with regards to penalties for repeat offenders. The Council did not increase fines for repeat offenders caught serving alcohol to minors;
- Narrow the definition of a disc jockey (DJ), and their role in your business.
A disc jockey (DJ) is now defined by:
“The term ‘disc jockey’ shall not include anyone who plays or changes prerecorded music, or programs prerecorded music, provided that the person does not engage in any of the following: make announcements or comments; takes song requests; run contests or games; manipulates or mixes the music; provides live entertainment; plays music from a disc jockey booth; or alters or manipulates a playlist while it is being played to include adding elements such as sound effects or additional pieces of music.”
The current legislation regarding the sale of alcohol to underage minors continues to be as follows:
“(f) Upon finding that a licensee has violated subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section in
the preceding 4 years:
‘(1) Upon the 1st violation, the Board shall fine the licensee not less than $2,000,
and not more than $3,000, and suspend the licensee for 5 consecutive days; provided, that the 5-
day suspension may be stayed by the Board for one year if all employees who serve alcoholic
beverages in the licensed establishment complete an alcohol training program within 3 months.
‘(2) Upon the 2nd violation, the Board shall fine the licensee not less than $3,000,
and not more than $5,000, and suspend the licensee for 10 consecutive
days; provided, that the Board may stay up to 6 days of the 10-day suspension for one year if all
employees who serve alcoholic beverages in the licensed establishment complete an alcohol
training program within 3 months.
‘(3) Upon the 3rd violation, the Board shall fine the licensee not less than $5,000, not more than $10,000, and suspend the licensee for 15 consecutive days, or revoke the license; provided that the Board may stay up to 5 days of the 15 day suspension for one year if all employees who serve alcoholic beverages in
the licensed establishment complete an alcohol training program within 3 months;
‘(4) Upon the 4th violation, the Board may revoke the license’”
