ABRA's Last Call Newsletter: January/February 2017 Edition

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Last Call Newsletter

January - February 2017

License Renewals Due for Breweries

Brewery

Breweries in the District are due to renew alcohol licenses by Friday, March 31.

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) mailed renewal applications on Wednesday, Feb. 15 to the four licensed breweries operating in the District. Licensees will need to return completed applications in person to ABRA's office, which is located at:

  • 2000 14th St., NW, 4th Floor, Suite 400 South, Washington, DC 20009.

Applications not returned by Friday, March 31 will be subject to a late fee beginning Saturday, April 1 of $50 per day—not to exceed the cost of the license—and cancellation.

Alcoholic beverage licenses are required to be renewed every three years with all licenses of the same type expiring on the same date. 

A complete renewal schedule is available on ABRA's website. Licensees that have questions can contact ABRA by emailing or calling (202) 442-4423.


New Nightlife Safety Program Rules Take Effect March 1

District Nightlife

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board) is accepting public comment on new rules taking effect for the Reimbursable Detail Subsidy Program. 

Effective Wednesday, March 1, the nightlife program, which enhances safety in the District by funding Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to police areas outside of on-premises establishments, was amended to:

  • Reduce subsidies paid to the MPD by the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) from 70 percent to 60 percent for MPD officers working reimbursable details under the program.
  • Allow for reimbursable detail coverage of pub crawls under the program.

Throughout the year, the Board regularly makes adjustments to the reimbursement amounts that are allowed under the program to ensure funds are available through the end of the year. 

Members of the public that were unable to testify in person at the Board's hearing on the issue on Wednesday, Feb. 15 can still provide written comments, which will be made a part of the Board’s official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted to ABRA General Counsel Martha Jenkins no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, March 13. Comment may be submitted by:

  • Email - Include full name, title and organization, if applicable, of the person(s) providing comment; or
  • Mail - 2000 14th St., NW, Suite 400 South, Washington, DC 20009.

While the new rules take effect on an emergency basis on Wednesday, March 1, the Board could amend or permanently adopt the rules after reviewing public comment it receives on the issue. 

Complete details regarding the Reimbursable Detail Subsidy Program and the Board's Notice of Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking are available on ABRA's website.


Annual Payments Due March 31

Calendar 31

More than 800 businesses that pay for liquor licenses on an annual basis are due to make second or third year licensing payments to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) by Friday, March 31. Businesses due to make payments include: 

  • Wholesalers (license class A);
  • Liquor stores (retailer's license class A);
  • Distilleries (manufacturer's license class A);
  • Restaurants, hotels, multipurpose facilities, clubs, trains, boats (on-premises retailer's licenses class C and D); and
  • Caterers.

ABRA mailed a payment notice to the licensee's mailing address on file. 

Licensing fees should be paid on time. A late fee of $50 per day will be assessed for any late payments, which may not exceed the cost of the license. Licensees that have questions can contact ABRA by emailing or calling (202) 442-4423. 


Safekeeping Extensions Due March 31

Closed Establishment

Any licensee with a liquor license being held in safekeeping will need to request an extension by Friday, March 31 in order to maintain its status. Extension requests may be submitted to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board by submitting a letter by:

  • Email; or
  • Mail - 2000 14th St., NW, 4th Floor, Suite 400 South, Washington, DC 20009.

Any license in safekeeping will be subject to cancellation if an extension request is not received by the Friday, March 31 deadline.

Safekeeping is required for any alcoholic beverage license that is temporarily discontinued for any reason. Many licenses are put in safekeeping as a result of renovations or damage to an establishment; the expiration of a lease; or being in the process of moving to a new location.

Fees for safekeeping are assessed every six months that a license is approved to be held in safekeeping. Payments must be made within 30 days of the date a billing statement is issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA).

Licensees that have question can contact ABRA by emailing or calling (202) 442-4423.

 


Clocks Spring Forward March 12

Daylight Saving Time

Clocks spring forward one hour from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, March 12. 

Restaurants, taverns, nightclubs and other on-premises establishments that do not have settlement agreements with closing-hour restrictions can sell and serve alcoholic beverages until 4 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, March 12. 

There is no registration required to operate between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.; however, establishments that have settlement agreements restricting closing hours until 2 a.m. are prohibited from participating.


Attend Licensee Training March 30

New and existing ABC licensees are invited to attend the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration's (ABRA) Licensee Orientation Training from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 to learn about:

  • District ABC laws and regulations (including recent changes to the law);
  • Tips for working effectively with the community;
  • Settlement Agreements;
  • Expectations of licensees;
  • Best practices; and
  • Noise abatement and sound management.

Contact ABRA Community Resource Officer Sarah Fashbaugh by Friday, March 24 to register by emailing or calling (202) 397-3971.

Attendance for this class is strongly recommended for new license holders. Training is free of charge. Requests for interpreters may be made; however, they must be submitted by the registration deadline. Training is located at:

  • 2000 14th St., NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009.

RSVP for Community Training

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) will hold a special training for members of the community from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18.

The community training is intended to proactively provide residents and community groups with information about ABRA’s role, a general overview of alcohol licensing in the District, as well as information on settlement agreement, protest and hearing processes. 

Members of the community that are interested in attending can contact ABRA Community Resource Officer Sarah Fashbaugh by Friday, May 12 by emailing or calling (202) 397-3971.

Training is free of charge. Requests for interpreters may be made; however, they must be submitted by the registration deadline. Training is located at:

  • 2000 14th St., NW, Suite 400 South, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20009.