License Reform

What is license reform and why is Virginia ABC performing this review?

During a hearing on November 19, 2018, a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services requested that Virginia ABC develop a reformed license structure proposal. The goals of this proposal are to consolidate licenses; explore creation of a marketplace license; analyze fees collected and determine whether to restructure to align with resources necessary to administer, monitor and enforce licenses; and consult with relevant stakeholders in creating a recommendation. Virginia ABC has kicked off a yearlong effort to meet this request, starting with a stakeholder meeting on November 29, 2018.

Thank you for your interest in the License Reform Initiative. Virginia ABC submitted the final report in November of 2019 to the Virginia Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services. There are currently several pieces of legislation (HB 390, SB 447 and SB 389) before the 2020 Session of the Virginia General Assembly. Please contact your senator or delegate with any comments or concerns.

Draft Legislation (PDF)
Final Report (PDF)

License Consolidation and Fee Restructuring (PDF)

Report (PDF)
Presentation (PDF)

Project Planning Documents

Official signed letter from ABC subcommittee (PDF)
Scope Deck (PDF)
Project Plan (PDF)
List of Stakeholders (PDF)
License Consolidation Draft Proposal (PDF)
Virginia Licenses Mapped to Proposed Licenses (PDF)

Project Research Documents

License Reform Stakeholder Survey: Preliminary Results (PDF)
2017 Virginia Legislative Study (PDF)
2018 Virginia License Revenue Data (PDF)
2013 Kentucky Legislative Study (PDF)
2017 Iowa Legislative Study (PDF)
California License and Fees (PDF)
North Carolina Fees (PDF)

Stakeholder Meeting Documents

November 28, 2018 Kick-Off Meeting (PDF)
March 8, 2019 Stakeholder Meeting Notes (PDF)
April 30, 2019 Stakeholder Meeting (PDF)

WHAT IS A LICENSEE?

This section of the website is designed to assist licensees in maintaining a safe, regulated business.

ABC grants a range of privileges, or "licenses," to businesses, groups and individuals enabling the manufacture, distribution, selling and serving of alcoholic beverages in the Commonwealth. Holders of these privileges are commonly called “licensees."

ZERO TOLERANCE

The selling and serving of alcoholic beverages is a business that is subject to higher legal and social accountability than almost any other industry. As a licensee, you shoulder many responsibilities, including preventing underage sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Virginia ABC has a strict "zero tolerance" policy for underage consumption and looks to you to aggressively avoid these sales.

For questions, comments, feedback or to ensure that you are included in future announcements, please email the License Reform Team at licensereform@virginiaabc.com.