Bill > SB1032

This bill establishes new regulations for alcoholic beverage licensees in Oklahoma, focusing on employee accountability and providing an affirmative defense for licensed establishments against certain violations. The bill defines an "employee" as a person paid to sell, serve, or manage alcoholic beverage sales, and introduces a "seller-server training certificate" as a key qualification. To claim an affirmative defense against violations involving improper alcohol service (such as selling to minors, intoxicated persons, or mentally incapacitated individuals), establishments must meet specific requirements: require all employees to maintain a valid ABLE Commission license, ensure employees complete seller-server training within 14 days of hiring and every two years thereafter, adopt written policies prohibiting inappropriate alcohol service, and maintain written acknowledgments from employees that they understand these policies. The bill also creates a rebuttable presumption that an establishment has indirectly encouraged violations if an employee commits three or more infractions within a twelve-month period. If the ABLE Commission presents sufficient evidence of repeated violations, the burden shifts to the establishment to prove they have not indirectly encouraged such behavior. The bill aims to balance holding individual employees accountable while also ensuring licensed establishments maintain responsible alcohol service practices, with the new regulations becoming effective on November 1, 2025.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1032&Session=2600