Mayor Gray Swears In Two New ABC Board Members

From left to right: DC Councilmember Jim Graham, James Short, Jr., Victor Rodriguez, Mayor Vincent Gray and Councilmember Anita Bonds.

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) welcomed Victor H. Rodriguez and James N. Short Jr. on Monday, Jan. 13 as the newest members of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (Board).

Both members were sworn in by Mayor Vincent C. Gray, bringing the total number of Board members to its maximum of seven.

Rodriguez will fill former Board member L. Jeanette Mobley’s remaining term, which ends on May 7, 2015. His experience includes a director position of a national Hispanic organization; a cabinet post in DC Government as the director of the Office of International Affairs; and a cabinet level staff member position with the White House in former Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s office. He moved to the District in 1968 and currently resides in Ward 1.

Short replaces former Board member Calvin Nophlin and will serve a four-year term, ending May 7, 2016. Short’s background covers decades of service to District government including a 33-year post as Deputy Fire Chief and 12 years with the Fire Marshall’s Office supervising ABC establishments and special event inspections. He currently resides in Ward 7 of the District.

“Both of these nominees have exceptional records of public service and I’m proud that they’ve agreed to serve the District again as members of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board,” said Mayor Gray.

Mayor Gray nominated both members to the Board on Oct. 31, 2013. The nominations were confirmed by the District of Columbia Council on Jan. 7.

“We welcome our new members to the ABC Board,” said Board Chair Ruthanne Miller. “They will bring fresh perspectives from their diverse experiences that will enhance the Board’s collective understanding and approach to regulating alcohol in the District of Columbia.”

Rodriguez and Short began officially serving on the Board with Miller and Board members Nick Alberti, Donald Brooks, Herman Jones and Mike Silverstein on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Hearings are open to the public and held regularly on Wednesdays. The Board’s weekly calendar and agenda notices can be viewed online.

New Rule in Effect for Spring Daylight Saving Time

For the first time, on-premise establishments will gain an additional hour to sell and serve alcoholic beverages during daylight saving time this spring without registering with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and paying a fee.

The modification is part of the Omnibus Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Act of 2012, which allows restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, hotels and multipurpose facilities to sell and serve alcoholic beverages between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, March 9. On that same morning, clocks spring forward one hour from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., resulting in the loss of one hour.

On-premise establishments were previously required to register and pay a $200 fee to participate in the additional business hour during daylight saving time in the spring.

Establishments that have settlement agreements that restrict closing hours will continue to be prohibited from participating.

File Fourth-Quarter Statements by Jan. 30

ABC-licensed restaurants and hotels are required to file fourth-quarter statements with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration by Thursday, Jan. 30. Fourth-quarter statements must report gross sales and total expenses of food and alcohol from October through December of 2013. Reports may be filed online. 

Caterers’ Reports due Jan. 30

ABC-licensed caterers must file semi-annual reports with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration by Thursday, Jan. 30. Reports are required to detail a variety of information including the amount of alcoholic beverages sold by the licensee in the last six months. Forms and complete instructions are available online.

Renewals, Payments Due March 31

Class B Manufacturers Due to Renew

Monday, March 31 is the deadline for beer and wine manufacturers (class B manufacturers) to renew alcoholic beverage licenses. Renewal packets will be mailed to licensees in February. 

Licensees should ensure they are in good corporate standing with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and that all outstanding taxes and fines are paid before renewing.

Payment for licenses can be made for the next three years or for one year only; however, payment is due at the time of renewal.

Annual Payments Due

ABC licensees that pay for licenses on an annual basis are due to make 2014 payments by Monday, March 31. Payment notices will be mailed to licensees in February.

Second year payments are due from the following:

• Restaurants licensed to sell and serve beer, wine and liquor (class C/R).
• Restaurants licensed to sell and serve beer and wine (class D/R).
• Hotels licensed to sell and serve beer, wine and liquor (class C/H).
• Hotels licensed to sell and serve beer and wine (class D/H).
• Multipurpose facilities licensed to sell and serve beer, wine and liquor (class C/X).
• Multipurpose facilities licensed to sell and serve beer and wine (class D/X).

Third year payments are due from the following:

• Liquor stores selling beer, wine and liquor (class A retailers)
• Wholesaler selling beer, wine and liquor (class A wholesalers)
• Manufacturers producing beer, wine and liquor (class A manufacturers)

Beware of Late Fees

A late fee of $50 per day will be assessed for any late payments, which may not to exceed the cost of the license. 

2014 Extended Holiday Hours

Approximately 155 restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, hotels and multipurpose facilities are registered to participate in extended holiday hours this year.

While the deadline has passed to register for Presidents Day on Feb. 17, there is still plenty of time to sign up to participate in nine other remaining holidays on this year’s calendar. Monday, March 17 is the deadline to register to participate in DC Emancipation Day on Wednesday, April 16.

During extended holiday hours, registered establishments can remain open until 4 a.m. and operate 24 hours a day during certain federal holidays and three-day holiday weekends.

Once licensees are registered, they are eligible to participate in all eligible holidays in the calendar year.

This year’s calendar and complete registration details are available online.

ABRA Office Closed Presidents Day

The Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of Presidents Day. The office will reopen and operate during regular business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 18:

• 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday
• 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday (license processing hours)