Back to legislation in Council period 13
AN ACT IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA To enact and amend Title 25 of the District of Columbia Code; to amend the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978 to adjust the compensation payable to the members of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control and Rules Reform Amendment Act of 1994 to repeal a regulation banning nude dancing in the establishments of certain licensees; and to amend Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to prohibit the expansion of activities of licensees in certain moratorium zones. BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000". TITLE I. TITLE 25, D.C. CODE ENACTMENT.Sec. 101. Title 25 of the District of Columbia Code is amended and enacted into law to read as follows (quotation marks omitted): TITLE 25. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND CLASSIFICATION OF LICENSES. CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND CLASSIFICATION OF LICENSES.Subchapter I. General Provisions. Sec. Subchapter II. Classification of Licenses. 25-110. Manufacturer's licenses. Subchapter I. General Provisions.§ 25-101. Definitions. For the purposes of this title, the term: (1) "ABRA" means the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration established by § 25-202. (2) "ABRA Account" means the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration Account established by § 25-210. (3) "Adult" means a person who is 21 years of age or older. (4) "Alcohol" means ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl, or spirit of wine, from whatever source or by whatever processes produced. (5) "Alcoholic beverage" means a liquid or solid, patented or not, containing alcohol capable of being consumed by a human being. The term "alcoholic beverage" shall not include a liquid or solid containing less than one-half of 1% of alcohol by volume. (6) "Applicant" means, as the context requires, the individual applicant, each member of an applicant partnership or limited liability company, or each of the principal officers, directors, and shareholders of an applicant corporation, or, if other than an individual, the applicant entity. (7) "ANC" means an Advisory Neighborhood Commission as authorized under D.C. Code § 1-251. (8) "Back-up drink" means a drink, including a single drink consisting of more than one alcoholic beverage, that is served to a customer before the customer has consumed a previously served drink. (9) "Bartender" means a person who fixes, mixes, makes, or concocts an alcoholic beverage for consumption. (10) "Beer" means a fermented beverage of any name or description manufactured from malt, wholly or in part, or from any substitute for malt. (11) "Board" means the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board established by § 25- 201. (12) "Brew pub" means an establishment for the manufacture of beer to be sold for consumption only at the place of manufacture and for sale to licensed wholesalers for the purpose of resale to other licensees. (13) "Business days" means Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, excluding holidays. (14) "Caterer" means a corporation, partnership, individual, or limited liability company that prepares, sells, delivers, and serves food and beverages to its customers, under an agreement in advance of delivery, for a catered event on the premises designated by the customer for the duration of the catered event. (15) "Club" means a corporation, duly organized and in good standing under Chapter 5 of Title 29, owning, leasing, or occupying a building, or a portion thereof, at which the sale of alcoholic beverages is incidental to, and not the prime source of revenue from, the operation of the building or the portion thereof. The term "club" shall not include a college fraternity or sorority. (16) "Credit card" means a consumer credit card extended on a nationally recognized account pursuant to a plan under which:
(17) "CSA" means Chapter 5 of Title 33. (18) "DC Arena" means the multi-purpose arena for the performance of sports and entertainment events and related amenities described in recital "E" of the Land Disposition Agreement-Ground Lease By and Among the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency, the District of Columbia, and DC Arena L.P., dated December 29, 1995. (19) "Director" means the Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration appointed under § 25-207. (20) "District" means the District of Columbia. (21) "Establishment" means a business entity operating at a specific location. (22) "Food" means any substance consumed by human beings except alcoholic beverages and any nonalcoholic liquid or solid substance served as part of the contents of an alcoholic beverage drink. (23) "Go-cup" means a drinking utensil provided at no charge or a nominal charge to a customer for the purpose of consuming alcoholic beverages off the premises of an establishment. (24) "Gross annual receipts" means the total amount of money received during the most recent one-year accounting period for the sale of food and alcoholic beverages, not including the amount received for taxes and gratuities in conjunction with sales or charges for entertainment or other services. (25) "Hotel" means an establishment where food and lodging are regularly furnished to transients and which has at least 30 guest rooms and a dining room in the same or connecting buildings. (26) "Interest" includes the ownership or other share of the operation, management, or profits of a licensed establishment. The term "interest" shall not include an agreement for the lease of real property. (27) "Keg" means a container which is capable of holding 4 gallons or more of beer, wine, or spirits and which is designed to dispense beer, wine, or spirits directly from the container. (28) "Land Disposition Lease" means the Land Disposition Agreement-Ground Lease By and Among the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency, the District of Columbia, and DC Arena L.P., dated December 29, 1995. (29) "Legal drinking age" means 21 years of age. (30) "Legitimate theater" means premises in which the principal business shall be the operation of live theatrical, operatic, or dance performances, or such other lawful adult entertainment or recreational facilities as the Board, giving due regard to the convenience of the public and the strict avoidance of sales prohibited by this title, shall, by regulation, classify as legitimate theater. The term "legitimate theater" shall not mean a motion picture theater. (31) "Locality" means the neighborhood within 600 feet of an establishment. (32) "Manufacture" includes any purification or repeat distillation processes or rectification. (33) "Nightclub" means a space in a building, and the adjoining space outside of the building, regularly used and kept open as a place that serves food and alcoholic beverages and provides music and facilities for dancing. (34) "Nude performance" means dancing or other entertainment by a person whose genitals, pubic region, or buttocks are less than completely and opaquely covered and, in the case of a female, whose breasts are less than completely and opaquely covered below a point immediately above the top of the areola. (35) "Open container" means a bottle, can, or other container that is open or from which the top, cap, cork, seal, or tab seal has at some time been removed. (36) "Parking" means that area of public space which lies between the property line and the edge of the actual or planned sidewalk which is nearer to such property line, as such property line and sidewalk are shown on the records of the District. (37) "Person" includes an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, and an unincorporated association. (38) "Portion" means the neighborhood within 1800 feet of an establishment. (39) "Protest" means a written statement in opposition to the issuance of a license. (40) "Protest hearing" means the adjudicatory proceeding held by the Board, after receipt of a protest, to hear persons objecting to, or in support of, the issuance of a license. (41) "Protest period" means a 45-day period during which an objection to the issuance or renewal, substantial change in operation under § 25-404, or transfer to new location, may be filed. (42) "Residential districts" means those districts identified as residential by the zoning regulations and the official atlases of the Zoning Commission for the District of Columbia. (43) "Restaurant" means a space in a building which:
(44) "RLA" means the District of Columbia Redevelopment Land Agency. (45) "Sale" or "sell" includes offering for sale, keeping for sale, manufacturing for sale, soliciting orders for sale, trafficking in, importing, exporting, bartering, delivering for value or in any way other than by purely gratuitously transferring. Every delivery of any alcoholic beverage made otherwise than purely gratuitously shall constitute a sale. (46) "Section" means the neighborhood within 1,200 feet of an establishment. (47) "Settlement conference" means a meeting between the applicant and the protestants held for the purpose of discussing and resolving, where possible, the objections raised by the protestants. (48) "Sign" shall have the same meaning as defined in Chapter 31 of Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. (49) "Spirits" means:
(50) "Statement" means a representation by words, design, picture, device, illustration, or other means. (51) "Table" shall not include a counter, bar, or similar contrivance. (52) "Tavern" means a space in a building which:
(53) "Valid identification document" means an official identification issued by an agency of government (local, state, federal, or foreign) containing, at a minimum, the name, date of birth, signature, and photograph of the bearer. (54) "Voluntary agreement" means a settlement agreement which becomes part of a license. (55) "Washington Convention Center" means the Washington Convention Center and the Convention Center Board of Directors, as established by § 9-602, and the Washington Convention Center Authority and the Washington Convention Center Authority Board of Directors, as established by § 9-803 and § 9-806. (56) "Wine" means an alcoholic beverage containing not more than 14% alcohol by volume obtained by the fermentation of the natural sugar content of fruits or other agricultural products containing sugar whether or not other ingredients are added. § 25-102. Sale of alcoholic beverages without a license prohibited. (a) No person shall sell any alcoholic beverage in the District without having first obtained an appropriate license as required by this title. (b) No wholesaler or manufacturer located within the District shall offer any alcoholic beverage for sale to, or solicit orders for the sale of any alcoholic beverage from, any person not licensed under this title, irrespective of whether the sale is to be made inside or outside the District. (c) No person located outside the District shall ship, import, or cause to be shipped or imported into the District, any alcoholic beverage without having first obtained an importation permit under this title for such shipment or importation. (d) No person operating any premises where food, nonalcoholic beverages, or entertainment are sold or provided for compensation or where facilities are especially provided and service is rendered for the consumption of alcoholic beverages who does not possess a license under this title shall permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises. § 25-103. Exceptions to license requirement. (a) A physician, dentist, veterinarian, or person in charge of an institution regularly conducted as a hospital or sanatorium for the care of persons in ill health, or as a home devoted exclusively to the care of aged people, may administer alcoholic beverages to a patient in their care receiving treatment. (b) This title shall not apply to alcohol sold for use in the manufacture and sale of any of the following if they are unfit for beverage purposes:
§ 25-104. Board authority to grant licenses. (a) The Board may issue licenses to persons who meet the requirements set forth in this title. (b) All licenses issued under this title, except for a temporary license issued under § 25- 115, shall be valid for a term of 2 years and may be renewed upon completion of the procedures set forth in this title and payment of the required fees. (c) A license to sell alcoholic beverages in the District can be granted only by the Board upon completion of the application and review process as contained in this title. (d) Except as set forth in Subchapter II of this Chapter, each license or permit shall particularly describe the place where the rights of the license are to be exercised. (e) The Board, in issuing licenses, may require that certain conditions be met if it determines that the inclusion of the conditions will be in the best interest of the locality, section, or portion of the District where the licensed establishment is to be located. The Board, in setting the conditions, shall state, in writing, the rationale for the determination. (f) Unincorporated associations shall be not be issued a license. Subchapter II. Classification of Licenses.§ 25-110. Manufacturer's licenses. (a) The following licenses shall be issued to manufacturers of alcoholic beverages:
(b) A separate license shall be required for each establishment under subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) of this section. § 25-111. Wholesaler's licenses. (a) A wholesaler's license shall authorize the licensee to sell beverages from the establishment described to (1) another licensee under this title for resale; (2) a dealer licensed under the law of any state or territory of the United States for resale; and (3) in the case of beer or wine, to a consumer. The licensee shall sell beer to the consumer only in barrels, kegs, sealed bottles, and other closed containers, which shall not be opened after sale, or the contents consumed, on the premises where sold. (b) No licensee, except a wholesale druggist or a wholesale grocer, shall be engaged in a business on the premises for which the license is issued other than the sale of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. (c) There shall be 2 classes of wholesalers licenses:
§ 25-112. Off-premises retailer's licenses. (a) An off-premises retailer's license shall authorize the licensee to sell alcoholic beverages from the place described and to deliver the same in the barrel, keg, sealed bottle, or other closed container in which the same was received by the licensee. (b) The barrel, keg, sealed bottle, or other closed container shall not be opened, or the contents consumed, at the licensed establishment. (c) The license shall not authorize the licensee to sell to other licensees for resale; provided, that the licensee under an off-premises retailer's license, class A, may sell to:
(d) There shall be 2 classes of off-premises retailer's licenses:
(e) The licensee under an off-premises retailers license, class B, who qualifies for the license as a result of the application of § 25-303(c), § 25-331(d), § 25-332(c), or § 25-333(c), shall:
§ 25-113. On-premises retailer's licenses. (a)(1) On-premises retailer's licenses shall be classified by the type of establishment licensed, as follows: restaurant, tavern, nightclub, hotel, club, multipurpose facility, and common carrier.
(b)(1) A restaurant license (R) shall be issued only for a restaurant.
(c)(1) A tavern license (T) shall be issued only for a tavern.
(d)(1) A nightclub license (N) shall be issued only for a nightclub.
(e)(1) A hotel license (H) shall be issued only for a hotel. Sales of food in a hotel dining room shall account for at least 45% of gross annual receipts from the operation of the dining room; provided, that in the case of a hotel that has 200 or fewer rooms and was built before January 1, 1940, sales of food shall account for at least 25% of gross annual receipts from the operation of the dining room.
(f)(1) A club license shall be issued only for a club.
(g)(1) A multipurpose facility license shall be issued only for a legitimate theater or a facility (such as the Washington Convention Center, the Lincoln Theatre, or the DC Arena) for the performance of sports, cultural, or tourism-related activities.
(h)(1) A common carrier license shall be issued only for a passenger-carrying marine vessel serving food or a railroad club or dining car.
(i)(1) A caterers license shall be issued only to a caterer.
§ 25-114. Arena C/X license requirements and qualifications; special provisions for on- premises retail licenses, class C, at DC Arena. (a) A retailer's license, class Arena C/X, shall be issued only for the DC Arena and shall permit the storage and sale of spirits, wine, and beer for consumption on the premises of the DC Arena. The license shall not permit the sale or dispensing of alcoholic beverages in unbroken packages for the purpose of permitting the packages to be carried off the premises. (b)(1) Upon application by an applicant as set forth in Chapter 4, the Board shall issue one or more retailer's licenses, class Arena C/X, to the lessee under the Land Disposition Lease.
(d) One or more retailer's licenses, class Arena C/X, shall be issued either as the license for all alcoholic beverage operations at the DC Arena or individually for concession stands, portable bars, and other non-fixed locations, and suite and club suite service. (e) One or more on-premises retailer's licenses, class C, may be issued to concessionaires or tenants of the DC Arena for suitable locations within the DC Arena, approved by the Board, where food and alcoholic beverages are served. § 25-115. Temporary license requirements and qualifications. (a) A temporary license shall authorize the licensee temporarily to sell or permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the specific premises described for consumption on the premises where sold. The license may be issued for a banquet, picnic, bazaar, fair, or similar public gathering where food is served for consumption on the premises. No alcoholic beverages shall be sold or served to a customer in an unopened container. (b) A temporary license may be issued for no more than 2 consecutive days. (c) The issuance of a temporary license shall be solely in the discretion of the Board. (d) If the applicant has failed to control the environment of a previous event associated with a temporary license or has sustained community complaints or police action, the Board may deny the license application. (e) There shall be 2 classes of temporary licenses:
§ 25-116. Solicitor's license requirements and qualifications. A solicitor's license shall authorize the licensee to sell any alcoholic beverage on behalf of the vendor whose name appears upon the license and whom the solicitor represents. A license shall be issued for only one vendor and a license shall be issued to the solicitor for each vendor whom the solicitor represents. § 25-117. Brew pub permit requirements and qualifications. (a) A brew pub permit shall authorize the licensee to brew malt beverages at one location for consumption at a licensed restaurant or tavern and for sale to licensed wholesalers for the purpose of resale to other licensees. The location used to brew malt beverages shall be on or immediately adjacent to the restaurant or tavern licensed to the brew pub owner in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. (b) A brew pub permit shall be issued only to the licensee under an on-premises restaurant or tavern retailer's license, class C or D, or in conjunction with the issuance of an on- premises restaurant or tavern retailer's license, class C or D. (c) A brew pub permit shall be void if:
(d) A brew pub permit shall be automatically suspended whenever and for the same period of time that the licensee's retailers license, class C or D, is suspended. § 25-118. Tasting permit requirements and qualifications. (a) A tasting permit shall be issued only to a licensee under a retailers license, class A, to utilize a portion of their licensed premises for the tasting of products as listed in subsection (c) of this section. (b) Containers of alcoholic beverages used for sampling purposes shall be labeled as such and may not be sold. (c) A licensee shall not provide to a customer, in one day, samples greater than the following quantities:
§ 25-119. Importation permit requirements and qualifications. (a) An importation permit shall authorize the licensee to import, transport, or cause to be imported or transported, alcoholic beverages into the District. An importation permit shall be issued to the licensee under a retailer's license, class A, B, C, or D, if the Board is satisfied that the alcoholic beverages bearing the same brand or trade name are not obtainable by the licensee from a licensed manufacturer or wholesaler in the District in sufficient quantity to reasonably satisfy the immediate needs of the licensee and when the licensee has paid the appropriate taxes as imposed by Chapter 9. (b) The permit shall specifically set forth the quantity, character, and brand or trade name of the alcoholic beverage to be transported and the names and addresses of the seller and the licensee. (c) The permit shall accompany the alcoholic beverages during transportation in the District to the licensed premises of the licensee and shall be exhibited upon the demand of any police officer or duly authorized inspector of the Board. (d) The permit shall, immediately upon receipt of the alcoholic beverages by the retail licensee, be marked "canceled" by the licensee. § 25-120. Manager's license requirements and qualifications (a) A manager's license shall authorize the licensee to manage a licensed business. (b) A licensee may be employed by one or more licensed businesses without further investigation, subject to compliance by the licensed businesses. (c) A manager's license shall be valid for 2 years or until surrendered, suspended, or revoked. The license fee shall be paid as provided under Chapter 5. (d) A manager shall complete an alcohol training and education certification program conducted by a Board-approved provider. The manager shall be recertified every 2 years from the date of the initial certification. (e) A manager who is licensed on or before the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449), shall complete a certification program within 6 months of the effective date of such Act. (f) A manager licensed under this section after the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449), shall complete the certification program within 90 days after receiving his or her managers license. (g) Subsection (e) of this section shall not apply to a manager licensed on or before the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449), who provides proof of his or her prior certification within 2 years prior to the effective date of such Act. (h) A manager required to complete an alcohol training and education certification program under this section shall submit proof of certification to the Board on a form supplied by a Board-approved training provider. § 25-121. Alcohol training and education certification providers. The Board shall approve providers of alcohol training and education certification programs for the purposes of:
CHAPTER 2. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE REGULATION ADMINISTRATION.Sec. § 25-201. Establishment of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board -- appointment and responsibilities. (a) There is established an Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The Board shall be composed of 7 members. The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council and according to the requirements set forth in § 25-206, shall nominate persons to serve on the Board. A nomination shall be submitted to the Council for a 90-day period of review, excluding days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the nomination by resolution within this 90-day review period, the nomination shall be deemed approved. (b) The Board shall administer and enforce the provisions of this title and regulations issued under this title. (c) The Board shall:
§ 25-202. Establishment of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration. There is established an Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration ("ABRA") as an independent agency of the District to provide professional, technical, and administrative staff assistance to the Board in the performance of its functions. ABRA shall carry out its functions under the supervision of the Board. § 25-203. Transfer of functions of Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. All positions, property, records, and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations, assessments, and other funds available or to be made available to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs relating to the duties and functions assigned herein are transferred to ABRA. § 25-204. Board -- functions and duties. All duties and responsibilities in respect to the regulation of alcoholic beverage control establishments that previously have been given to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, established by Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1983, shall be assumed by the Board. § 25-205. Board record-keeping responsibilities. (a) The Board shall maintain complete and accurate records of all action taken on:
(b) The Board shall maintain the records in a manner readily accessible for inspection by the public during normal business hours. (c) The Board shall provide to the Director and the Council annual reports detailing the activities of the Board for the previous year regarding the following items:
(d) The Board shall provide to each ANC office, on a quarterly basis, a list of licenses due to expire in the areas that the ANC will represent during the ensuing 6 months. § 25-206. Board member qualifications; term of office; chairperson; conflict of interest. (a) Each member of the Board shall be a resident of the District for at least 3 years immediately preceding his or her appointment and, during that period, have claimed a principal residence nowhere else. (b) No member of the Board shall hold any other full-time employment with the District government during his or her term of service on the Board. (c) Each member of the Board shall have a demonstrated record of substantial involvement in issues related to the community impact of licensed establishments before his or her appointment to the Board. (d) All appointments shall be for a term of 4 years, except appointments made for the remainder of unexpired terms. Vacancies caused by death, resignation, or otherwise shall be filled by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council, under § 25-201. The Mayor may remove a board member for just and reasonable cause. (e) Board members may be reappointed. (f)(1) The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council as provided by § 25-201, shall appoint one member of the Board as chairperson.
(g) No member or employee of the Board, directly or indirectly, individually, or as a member of a partnership, association, or limited liability company, or a shareholder in a corporation, shall have any interest in selling, transporting, or storing alcoholic beverages, or receive a commission or profit from any person licensed under this title to sell alcoholic beverages; provided, that a Board member or employee may purchase, transport, or keep in his or her possession an alcoholic beverage for his or her personal use or the use of the members of his or her family or guests. (h) Former board members may not represent a client before the Board for a period of one year following their service on the Board. Former board members may appear before the Board as an applicant for licensure, a protestant, or a witness during a protest hearing during this time period. This provision shall be applicable to future board members and for board members who are serving on the Board on the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449). §25-207. ABRA Director and staff. (a) The Board, with the advice and consent of the Council, shall appoint a Director of ABRA for a renewable 4-year term. The Director shall be removed by the Board for just and reasonable cause. (b) The Director shall organize the personnel and property transferred by § 25-203 and, within the limits provided in this chapter and annual appropriations, shall employ staff as needed to carry out the function of ABRA. § 25-208. Office of the General Counsel. There shall be established within ABRA an Office of the General Counsel. The head of the office shall be the General Counsel, who shall be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in the District and who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Mayor. The General Counsel shall advise the Board regarding all legal matters. The Office of the General Counsel shall also be available to provide mediation services or a professional mediator, as a delegate, if the parties to a settlement conference require or request assistance. § 25-209. Community resource officer. The Director shall appoint an employee to be a community resource officer, who shall serve as the primary contact for members of the community, both residents and businesses, wishing to submit complaints or to protest a license. The community resource officer shall provide information to citizens and the business community about the license application process, qualifications, complaint or protest process, and the citizen's or businesses' responsibilities and options in each step of the process. § 25-210. ABRA funding. (a) There is established within the General Fund of the District of Columbia an account designated as the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration Account, to which all funds obtained from alcoholic beverage taxes and licensing and permitting fees shall be credited. Any monies deposited in the ABRA Account but not expended in a fiscal year shall be returned to the General Fund. Subject to the applicable laws relating to the appropriation of District funds, monies received and credited to the ABRA Account shall be used to fund the expenses of ABRA in the discharge of its administrative and regulatory duties. Funds obtained from penalties and fines, as prescribed by Chapter 8, shall be credited to the General Fund. (b) The Mayor shall submit to the Council, as part of the annual budget, a budget for ABRA and a request for an appropriation for expenditures from the ABRA Account. This estimate shall include expenditures for salaries, fringe benefits, overhead charges, training, supplies, technical, professional, and any and all other services necessary to discharge the duties and responsibilities of ABRA. § 25-211. Regulations. (a)(1) Within 180 days after the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449), the Mayor shall issue conforming regulations necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this title.
(b)(1) The Mayor shall submit other proposed regulations to the Council for a 45-day period of review.
(c) The Mayor may in any time of public emergency, without previous notice or advertisement, prohibit the sale of any or all alcoholic beverages. (d)(1) Any regulations promulgated under this section shall become effective 5 days after being published in the District of Columbia Register.
(e) Within 180 days after the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment Act of 2000, the Board shall implement a process to provide additional notification, via electronic media, to the public and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions of the publication of proposed and adopted regulations. (f) The Board shall establish, under subsection (b) of this section, procedures to implement § 25-601 to:
CHAPTER 3. REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR LICENSE.Subchapter I. Applicant Qualifications. Sec. Subchapter II. Qualification of Establishment. Subchapter III. Denial of License. Subchapter IV. Board-created Moratoria. Subchapter V. Involuntary Transfer. Subchapter I. Applicant Qualifications.§ 25-301. General qualifications for all applicants. Before issuing, transferring to a new owner, or renewing a license, the Board shall determine that the applicant meets all of the following criteria:
§ 25-302. Special qualifications for wholesaler's or retailer's licenses. In the case of an application for a wholesaler's license or for a retailer's license of any class, except a temporary license, before issuing, transferring to a new owner, or renewing a license, the Board shall further determine that:
§ 25-303. Restrictions on holding a conflicting interest. (a) Before issuing, transferring to a new owner, or renewing a license, the Board shall determine that the applicant is not disqualified because of a conflicting interest in another license, as follows:
(b) The Board shall not reject, solely on the basis of this section, the application of a franchisee who controls, or will control, the entire interest in the receipts, profits, inventory, purchases, pricing, and sales of beverages under the license, if the franchisee held a license, or had an application for a license pending, on June 22, 1982. (c) The requirements of this section shall not apply to an applicant for an off-premises retailer's license, class B, for the sale of alcoholic beverages in an establishment if:
Subchapter II. Qualification of Establishment.§ 25-311. General provisions -- qualification of establishment. (a) Unless expressly stated otherwise in this chapter, the applicant shall bear the burden of proving to the satisfaction of the Board that the establishment for which the license is sought is appropriate for the locality, section, or portion of the District where it is to be located; provided, that if proper notice has been given under Subchapter II of Chapter 4, and no objection to the appropriateness of the establishment is filed with the Board, the establishment shall be presumed to be appropriate for the locality, section, or portion of the District where it is located. (b) Before evaluating the appropriateness of the establishment for which the license is sought, the Board shall ensure that the applicant has complied fully with the notification requirements set forth in § 25-422. (c) No license, except a solicitor's license or a temporary license, shall be issued to an applicant unless the applicant has a valid certificate of occupancy for the premises in which the establishment is located and has all other licenses and permits required by law or regulation for its business. § 25-312. Defining size of areas relevant to determination of appropriateness. (a) The Board shall determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether the locality, section, or portion proposed by the applicant is a competent measure for determining the appropriateness of the establishment and, if not, shall identify the proper boundaries of the locality, section, or portion for evaluating the application. In making this determination, the Board shall consider the overall characteristics of the area, including population, density, and general commercial and residential activities. (b) In establishing any geographic boundaries required by this title, the Board shall measure the specified distance in an arc from each corner of the lot or parcel on which the establishment is located, connecting the arcs by tangent lines. (c) If the Board is required to state the distance between one or more places, (such as the actual distance of one licensed establishment from another or the actual distance of a licensed establishment from a school), the distance shall be measured linearly and shall be the shortest distance between the property lines of the places. (d) If a boundary line measured by the Board touches upon any portion of a parcel or lot, the parcel or lot shall be within the area being identified by the Board. (e) In submitting evidence of appropriateness, the applicant shall propose the boundaries of the locality, section, or portion to be considered. (f) Any person may submit written objections to the boundaries proposed by the applicant or a written proposal listing alternative boundaries for consideration by the Board. § 25-313. Appropriateness standard. (a) To qualify for issuance, renewal of a license, new owner license renewal, or an application for the approval of a substantial change in operation as determined by the Board under § 25-404, an applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that the establishment is appropriate for the locality, section, or portion of the District where it is to be located. (b) In determining the appropriateness of an establishment, the Board shall consider all relevant evidence of record, including:
(c) The requirements of this section shall not apply to applicants for a solicitor's license or a temporary license. (d) No license shall be issued for an outlet, property, establishment, or business which sells motor vehicle gasoline or which holds a Motor Vehicle Sales, Service, and Repair endorsement under § 47-2851.3(c)(9) or an Environmental Materials endorsement under § 47- 2851.3(c)(4) to its master business license. § 25-314. Additional considerations for new license application or transfer of a license to a new location. (a) In determining the appropriateness of an establishment for initial issuance of a license or a transfer of a license to a new location, the Board shall also consider the following:
(b)(1) No license shall be issued for any establishment within 400 feet of a public, private, or parochial primary, elementary, or high school; college or university; or recreation area operated by the D.C. Department of Recreation.
(c) In the case of applications for nightclub or tavern licenses, the Board shall consider whether the proximity of the establishment to a residence district, as identified in the zoning regulations of the District and shown in the official atlases of the Zoning Commission for the District, would generate a substantial adverse impact on the residents of the District. § 25-315. Additional considerations for renewal of licenses. (a) If proper notice has been given, as provided in Subchapter II of Chapter 4, and no objection to the appropriateness of the establishment is filed, the establishment shall be presumed to be appropriate for the locality, section, or portion of the District where it is located. (b)(1) The Board shall consider the licensee's record of compliance with this title and the regulations promulgated under this title and any conditions placed on the license during the period of licensure, including the terms of a voluntary agreement.
(c) If an application for license renewal is made the subject of contested proceedings and the license expires before the Board's decision on the renewal application, the Board may extend the expiration date during the pendency of the decision on the renewal application. § 25-316. Additional considerations for transfer of licensed establishment to new owner. (a) In determining the appropriateness of the transfer of a licensed establishment to a new owner, the Board shall consider only the applicant's qualifications as set forth in § 25-301. (b) The Board shall not allow the transfer of the license of an establishment to a person against whom there is pending in the courts or before the Board a charge of keeping a disorderly house or of violating this title or the laws against gambling in the District. (c) When the transferred license comes due for renewal, the Board shall evaluate the appropriateness of the application for renewal according to the standards set forth in §§ 25-313 and 25-315. (d) If the transfer of ownership, as defined in § 25-405, includes a proposed substantial change in the operation of the establishment, the Board shall evaluate this transfer of ownership in accordance with § 25-404. § 25-317. Transfer of licensed establishment to new location. The Board shall consider an application to transfer a license to a new location according to the same standards and procedures as an application for an initial license and shall not presume appropriateness if a protest to the application is filed as set forth in Chapter 6. Subchapter III. Denial of License.§ 25-331. Quotas -- off-premises retail licenses. (a) The number of off-premises retailer's licenses, class A, shall be no more than 250. (b) The number of off-premises retailer's licenses, class B, shall be no more than 300. (c) The quotas set forth in this section shall have a prospective effect. (d) The quotas set forth in subsection (b) of this section shall not prohibit the issuance of a license for an off-premises retailer's license, Class B, for the sale of alcoholic beverages in an establishment if:
§ 25-332. Moratorium on class B licenses. (a) No new off-premises retailer's license, class B, shall be issued. (b) The moratorium shall have a prospective effect. (c) This moratorium shall not apply to an applicant for an off-premises retailer's license, class B, for the sale of alcoholic beverages in an establishment if:
(d) An exception to the moratorium shall be granted for 4 new class B licenses on Connecticut Avenue, N.W., between N Street and Florida Avenue, N.W., after October 22, 1999; provided, that no licensee shall devote more than 3,000 square feet to the sale of alcoholic beverages. § 25-333. Limitation on the distance between off-premises retailer's licenses. (a) No new off-premises retailers license, class A, shall be issued for an establishment which is located within 400 feet from another establishment operating under an off-premises retailer's license, class A. (b) No new off-premises retailers license, class B, shall be issued for an establishment which is located within 400 feet from another establishment operating under an off-premises retailer's license, class B. (c) This section shall not prohibit the issuance of a license for an off-premises retailer's license, Class B, for the sale of alcoholic beverages in an establishment if:
§ 25-334. Denial -- Board-certified referendum. If a Board-certified referendum, as conducted under Chapter 6, demonstrates that a majority of the eligible registered voters object to the granting of the license sought, the Board shall deny the license. § 25-335. Denial -- public health and safety restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Board shall deny a license if the evidence reasonably shows that:
§ 25-336. Retail license prohibited in residential-use district. (a) No retailer's license shall be issued for, or transferred to, a business operated in a residential-use district as defined in the zoning regulations and shown in the official atlases of the Zoning Commission for the District, except for a restaurant or tavern operated in a hotel or apartment house, if the entrance to the restaurant or tavern is entirely inside the hotel or apartment house and no sign or display is visible from the outside of the building. (b) A nightclub license may be issued on the premises of a hotel that was legally located in a residential-use district and was operating a nightclub on the licensed premises on September 30, 1986. (c) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply if, at the time the application for a new license is submitted to the Board, a license of the same type and class is operating an establishment within 400 feet of the applicant. (d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
§ 25-337. Wholesaler's license prohibited in residential use district. No wholesaler's license shall be issued for an establishment in a residential-use district as defined in the zoning regulations and shown in the official atlases of the Zoning Commission for the District. § 25-338. Limitation on successive applications after denial. (a) A second and each subsequent application for the same class of license for the same person or persons shall not be considered within 5 years of a denial. (b) If an application is withdrawn for good cause, as determined by the Board, before the timely filing of a protest, or if the first application was denied for purely technical or procedural reasons, as determined by the Board, another application by the same applicant for a license of the same class at the same premises may be made at any time. § 25-339. Special restrictions for the Georgetown historic district. (a) The number of nightclub or tavern license holders, class C or D, within the Georgetown historic district shall not exceed 6. No new nightclub or tavern license shall be issued, and no existing nightclub or tavern license shall be transferred, to any other person or to any other location within the Georgetown historic district, except when the number of such licensed establishments in the Georgetown historic district is less than 6. (b) A licensee of a nightclub license, or a tavern license, class C, within the Georgetown historic district as of May 24, 1994, may apply for a conversion to a restaurant license, class C or D, for its present location, present owner, and for the duration of its present license. The application shall not require a public hearing or the assessment of fees. Subchapter IV. Board-created Moratoria.§ 25-351. Board-created moratoria. (a) If the Board reasonably determines that it is in the public interest to do so based on the appropriateness standard set forth in Subchapter II of this Chapter, the Board may, by rule, (1) limit the number of licenses of any class to be issued; (2) declare a moratorium on the issuance of licenses of any class, or the issuance of amended licenses that constitute a substantial change, in any locality, section, or portion of the District, or (3) declare a moratorium in any locality, section, or portion of the District to limit the sale of products by licensees under off-premises retailer classes A and B. (b) Any group with standing under § 25-601 may request the Board to issue regulations establishing the limit or declaring the moratorium. A moratorium issued by the Board under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section shall have a prospective effect and shall not apply to existing licenses. (c) A moratorium on the issuance of an amended license that constitutes a substantial change, in accordance with § 25-762, shall only be allowed in those geographical areas for which a limit or moratorium on the number of licenses in any class is in effect and shall apply to any application filed after the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449), for an amended license that would constitute a substantial change. (d) No licensee or agent of any licensee shall be entitled to make a request under subsection (b) of this section. (e) A moratorium shall be effective for 5 years from the date of final rulemaking, or for a lesser period as determined by the Board. (f) If the Board acts on a moratorium request, a moratorium request for the same area, or an area covering substantially the same area, shall not be considered for 2 years from the date of the Board's action. § 25-352. Procedures to request a moratorium. (a) The moratorium request shall be made to the Board in writing, stating:
(b) For the purposes of subsection (a)(2) of this section, the individual, group, or business entity seeking the moratorium shall identify one licensed establishment. The area to be covered by the moratorium shall be measured from the property lines of that establishment. The entire area to be covered under a moratorium shall be either a locality, section, or portion. (c) For the purposes of subsection (a)(3) of this section, a moratorium may be sought for a single class of license or for any combination of the classes of licenses. (d) No moratorium request shall be considered by the Board unless all of the requirements of subsection (a) of this section have been met and the following conditions are satisfied:
§ 25-353. Notice requirements for moratorium proceedings. If a moratorium request meets all of the requirements set forth in § 25-352, the Board shall provide notice to the public according to the same procedures as required by §§ 25-421 and 25-422; provided, that, for the purposes of this section, the responsibilities of the applicant prescribed in § 25-422 shall be assumed by the Board. § 25-354. Board review of moratorium request. (a) The Board shall hold a public hearing to review a proposed moratorium. The public hearing shall be in the nature of a rulemaking hearing under § 1-1506 and not in the nature of a contested case under § 1-1509. (b) At the public hearing, any interested person may appear to give oral or written testimony in support of, or in opposition to, the moratorium request. (c) In addition to receiving testimony from the public, the Board shall request formal comments from the following persons or agencies:
(d) In deciding on a moratorium request, the Board shall consider the extent to which the testimony and comments show that the requested moratorium is appropriate under at least 2 of the appropriateness standards set forth in Subchapter II of this Chapter. (e) The Board may grant the moratorium request in one or more of the following ways:
(f) The Board may deny the moratorium request in its entirety. (g) The decision of the Board shall be final and shall be issued in writing, including each members vote. Subchapter V. Involuntary Transfer.§ 25-361. Involuntary transfer. (a) The Board may transfer a license upon the request of a bona fide purchaser of the license who made the purchase at any of the following:
(b) Except as provided in this section, transfers made under this section may, because of their involuntary nature, be approved by the Board without an initial inquiry, as required by §§ 25-311 through 25-314, as to the appropriateness of the establishment, and without the notice provisions contained in Subchapter II of Chapter 4. (c) Bona fide purchasers whose transfers are approved under this section shall, at the time for renewal of the license, meet all of the requirements of § 25-313 regarding the appropriateness of the establishment and shall at that time have notice of their renewal application given under Subchapter II of Chapter 4. (d) Bona fide purchasers shall, before an approval of the transfer, submit to the Board an affidavit stating that no change which could be considered a substantial change to the business under § 25-762 will occur before the expiration of the license period during which the transfer takes place. (e) If a change which could be considered a substantial change will occur before the expiration of the license period, the transfer application shall be considered under §§ 25-404 and 25-762. CHAPTER 4. APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCESSES.Subchapter I. Application Requirements. Subchapter II. Notice of Application Proceedings. Subchapter III. Review of License Applications. Subchapter IV. Review and Resolution Procedures. Subchapter I. Application Requirements.§ 25-401. Form of application. (a) A person applying for issuance, transfer to a new owner, or renewal of a license, or for approval of substantial changes in operation or change in license class, shall file with the Board an application in the form prescribed by the Board. The application shall contain the information set forth in this chapter and any additional information that the Board may require. (b) A separate application shall be filed for each establishment for which a license is sought; provided, that a railroad company may file one application for all of its dining cars and club cars and a passenger-carrying marine vessel line may file one application for all of its passenger-carrying marine vessels and dockside waiting areas. (c) An individual applicant, all of the general partners of an applicant partnership, all of the members of a limited liability company, or the president or vice-president of an applicant corporation shall sign a notarized statement certifying that the application is complete and accurate. Any person who knowingly makes a false statement on an application, or in any accompanying statement under oath that the Mayor or the Board may require, shall be guilty of the offense of making false statements. The making of a false statement, whether made with or without the knowledge or consent of the applicant, shall, in the discretion of the Board, constitute sufficient cause for denial of the application or revocation of the license. § 25-402. New license application for manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer. (a) The application of a person applying for a manufacturer's, wholesaler's, or retailer's license shall include:
(b) The applicant for a restaurant or hotel license shall attest that it will receive at least 45% of its gross annual receipts from the sale of food during each year of the license period. (c) The Board shall establish application procedures for the issuance of a caterers license under § 25-211(b). § 25-403. License renewal application for manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer. (a) An applicant for license renewal shall verify, by affidavit, the accuracy of its application, including all documents and submissions constituting a part of the application for its initial license or, if appropriate, at the time of a Board-approved substantial change in operation. (b) In the case of an application for renewal of a restaurant or hotel license, the applicant shall present evidence establishing that the sale of food accounted for at least 45% of gross annual receipts from the operation of the restaurant or of the dining room of the hotel during the current license period. (c) The applicant shall submit documents or other written evidence establishing to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant has complied with the requirements of § 25-423. (d) The Board shall establish application procedures for the renewal of a caterers license under § 25-211(b). § 25-404. Application for approval of substantial change in operation. (a) Before making a substantial change in the nature of the operation of the licensed establishment, an applicant shall file with the Board an amendment to its application or last application, providing the information required on an application under § 25-402(a). (b)(1) If the Board determines that the proposed change to the nature of the operation is substantial:
(c) If proper notice has been given as provided under Subchapter II of this Chapter, and no objection to the appropriateness of the proposed substantial change in the nature of the operation of the establishment is filed with the Board during the protest period, the proposed change shall be presumed appropriate for the locality, section, or portion of the District where it is located. § 25-405. Application for transfer to new owner. (a) A voluntary transaction which results in (1) the transfer to an individual of 50% or more of the legal or beneficial ownership of (A) the licensed establishment, or (B) the entity owning or controlling the licensed establishment, or (2) a change in stock ownership or partnership interest of 50 % or more, within any 12 month period, shall require application for transfer of the license to new owners from the Board. (b) An application to transfer a license to a new owner shall be filed by the transferee and approved by the Board before the consummation of the transfer. (c) An applicant requesting the transfer of a license to a new owner shall submit documents and other written statements and evidence requesting written approval of the transfer and establishing to the satisfaction of the Board that the new owner meets all of the qualifications set forth in § 25-301. (d) The current licensee shall submit an affidavit which complies with § 47-2863(b). (e) If the Board finds that the licensee is in violation of this title or regulations promulgated under this title, the Board shall deny the application for transfer. § 25-406. Application for a solicitor's license. The application for the issuance or renewal of a solicitor's license shall include:
§ 25-407. Application for brew pub permit. The application for issuance or renewal of a brew pub permit shall include:
§ 25-408. Application for a tasting permit for a class A licensee. The application for issuance or renewal of a tasting permit for off-premises retailer's license, class A, shall include:
§ 25-409. Application for importation permit. The application for issuance or renewal of a importation permit shall include:
§ 25-410. Application for manager's license. The application for a manager's license shall include:
Subchapter II. Notice of Application Proceedings.§ 25-421. Notice by Board. (a) Upon the receipt of an application for the issuance or renewal, for a substantial change in operation as determined by the Board under § 25-404, or for the transfer of a license to a new location, of a retailers license, the Board shall give notice of the application to the following parties:
(b) The notice shall contain the legal name and trade name of the applicant, the street address of the establishment for which the license is sought, the class of license sought, and a description of the nature of the operation the applicant has proposed or the proposed change in operation. The description shall include the hours of sales or service of alcoholic beverages. (c) The notice to the Board of Education shall state the proximity of the establishment to the nearest public school of the District and the name of the nearest public school. (d) The notice shall state that persons objecting to approval of the application are entitled to be heard before the granting of the license, and shall inform the recipient of the final day of the protest period and the date, time, and place of the administrative review in accordance with Subchapter III of this Chapter. (e) The Board shall give notice to the ANC by first-class mail, postmarked not more than 7 days after the date of submission, and addressed to the following persons:
(f) The Board shall publish the notices required under this section in the District of Columbia Register. (g) Within 180 days after the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449), the Board shall implement a procedure by which it will provide additional notification, via electronic media, to the public and ANCs, of these notification requirements, and the publication of proposed and adopted regulations. § 25-422. Notice by applicant. For applications described in § 25-421(a), the applicant shall give notice by an advertisement published once during the first 7 days of the protest period following the submission of the application in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in the District. The text of this advertisement shall be approved by ABRA and shall contain the same information required by § 25-421(b), the final day of the protest period, and the date, time, and place of the administrative review. The applicant shall submit a copy of the notice and receipt from the newspaper showing the date on which the notice appeared to the Board within 7 days of the publication of the notice. § 25-423. Posted notice required after submission of application and for the duration of the protest period. (a) The applicant shall post 2 notices, furnished by ABRA, of the application in conspicuous places on the outside of the establishment for the duration of the protest period. (b) The notices shall state:
(c) Any person wilfully removing, obliterating, or defacing the notices shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter. (d) An applicant who fails to maintain the posted notices continuously during the protest period shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter. (e) If the Board determines that the notices posted at an applicant's establishment have not remained visible to the public for a full 45 days, the Board shall require the reposting of the notices and shall reschedule the administrative review for a date at least 45 days after the originally scheduled review, unless the applicant has fully performed all other notice requirements and the Board determines that it is in the best interests, of the parties to proceed at an earlier date. Subchapter III. Review of License Applications.§ 25-431. Review procedures -- general provisions. (a) Except as otherwise provided herein, Board actions and procedures shall be governed by Chapter 15 of Title I. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Board may meet in panels of at least 3 members for the purpose of conducting hearings and taking official actions. Three members shall constitute a quorum. (c) The Board may establish alternate procedures for uncontested, interim administrative proceedings or issuing stipulated licenses. Such procedures shall be submitted to the Council for approval as provided under § 25-211(b). (d) The Chair of the Board may appoint a Vice-Chair for the purposes of leading panels as provided for in this section. (e) For the purposes of this chapter, the Board may permit the Board of Directors of a licensee under a club license to designate a representative to represent it during proceedings before the Board. (f) Upon receipt of a complete application, the Board shall schedule an administrative review on the application. The administrative review shall not take place until after the close of the 45-day protest period. This administrative review may be conducted by a panel of 3 Board members. (g) Before any license is issued or renewed, and before any substantial change in the operation of a licensed establishment as determined by the Board under § 25-404, the Board shall ensure that proper notice has been provided to the public and that the public has been given at least 45 days in which to protest the license and that an administrative review has been conducted. (h) The administrative review shall be a non-adversarial proceeding held by the Board, at which hearing a list of applications for a new or renewed license or approval of substantial change in operation as under § 25-404, and the protestants thereto, shall be read to the public. § 25-432. Standard review procedures. (a) If no protest has been received by the Board during the protest period, the Board shall schedule an administrative review to consider the application within 10 days after the end of the protest period. (b) If a protest has been received by the Board during the protest period, the Board shall take the following actions:
§ 25-433. Decisions of the board; petition for reconsideration. (a) No application shall be approved until the Board has determined that the applicant has complied with § 25-402(a)(8) through (10) (and § 25-402(b) if the applicant is a restaurant or hotel) or, in the case of a renewal, has fulfilled the license requirements of this title. The Board shall make findings of fact with respect to each requirement, including the appropriateness standards set forth in §§ 25-313, 25-314, and 25-315, and the food sales requirements for restaurants and hotels. (b) For the purposes of this section, the record shall close when a hearing is concluded. Parties shall have 10 days after the conclusion of the hearing to submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the Board. (c) Within 90 days after the close of the record, the Board shall issue its written decision accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law. The Board shall publish and maintain a compilation of its decisions and orders. (d)(1) A petition for reconsideration, rehearing, reargument, or stay of a decision or order of the Board may be filed by a party within 10 days after the date of receipt of the Board's final order.
(e) The Board may establish procedures under § 25-211(b) to consider an application which is not protested during the protest period. § 25-434. Influencing the application process. (a) A person shall not provide, offer to provide, request, or receive anything of value for the personal use, enjoyment, or profit of an individual in exchange for the individual's promise not to exercise his or her rights provided under this title to object to, or petition against, a license application. (b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a criminal misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or fined not more than $300, or both. Subchapter IV. Review and Resolution Procedures.§ 25-441. Hearings -- continuances. (a) A hearing may be continued for good cause. A written motion for a continuance shall be filed with the Board at least 6 days before the scheduled hearing date and served upon all parties at least 6 calendar days before the hearing. To be granted, the motion shall, in the opinion of the Board, set forth good and sufficient cause for continuance or demonstrate that an extreme emergency exists. (b) A continuance shall not waive the requirements of this chapter governing the time in which to file objections, petitions, or other pleadings. (c) The Board may, on motion of any party or on its own motion, continue a hearing in order to permit an ANC to vote on a material issue in the hearing. (d) The Board may waive the provisions of this section if all parties agree to a continuance. § 25-442. Hearings -- witnesses. (a) A party shall have the right to call and examine witnesses. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, at any proceeding before the Board in a contested case, the Board shall hear as witnesses all persons residing within and outside the neighborhood who desire to be heard. (c) The Board may exclude any irrelevant or unduly repetitious evidence or testimony. (d) A witness who shall willfully give false testimony in a proceeding or hearing before the Board shall be guilty of perjury. § 25-443. Subpoena of witnesses. (a) Subpoenas issued by the Board shall be served:
(b) Witnesses, other than those employed by the District or by the United States, shall be entitled to the same fees as are paid witnesses for attendance before the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. (c) In the case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, upon written request by the Board, shall issue an order requiring the contumacious person to appear and testify before the Board or to produce evidence if so ordered. § 25-444. Protest hearings; parties identified. (a) If a protest is filed in a contested case, the Board shall hold a protest hearing for the purpose of receiving evidence and testimony regarding the appropriateness of the licensing action. (b) The parties to the protest hearing shall be the applicant and the protestants as identified at the administrative review. (c) If there is more than one protestant, the Board, in its discretion, may require the protestants to confer among themselves and designate one person to conduct the protestants' case. § 25-445. Settlement conference. (a) A settlement conference among the parties shall be held to discuss and resolve, if possible, the objections raised by the protestants. (b) If the date of the settlement conference is not arranged on or before the date of the administrative review, the applicant shall contact the protestants to arrange the conference. (c) If the applicant fails to make a good faith effort to contact the protestants timely, the Board shall deny the license application unless, in the judgment of the Board, the applicant shows good cause for his or her failure to act. (d) No protestant shall unreasonably refuse to make himself or herself available to attend a settlement conference. (e) If the protestant unreasonably refuses to make himself or herself available to attend a settlement conference, the Board shall consider the protest withdrawn unless, in the judgment of the Board, the protestant shows good cause for refusing to be available. (f) At the request of any party, the Board may designate a member of its staff to attend the settlement conference. (g) If the parties fail to reach an agreement on one or more of the protest issues they shall so state at the scheduled protest hearing. (h) A party may be represented at a settlement conference by an attorney or a designated representative who has been authorized to act on the party's behalf. § 25-446. Voluntary agreements; approval process; show cause hearing for violation. (a) The applicant and any protestant may, at any time, negotiate a settlement and enter into a written voluntary agreement setting forth the terms of the settlement. (b) The signatories to the agreement shall submit the agreement to the Board for approval. (c) If it determines that the voluntary agreement complies with all applicable laws and regulations and the applicant otherwise qualifies for licensure, the Board shall approve the license application, conditioned upon the licensee's compliance with the terms of the voluntary agreement. The Board shall incorporate the text of the voluntary agreement in its order and the voluntary agreement shall be enforceable by the Board. (d) A voluntary agreement shall run for the term of a license, including renewal periods, unless it is terminated or amended in writing by the parties and the termination or amendment is approved by the Board. (e) The Board shall initiate a show cause hearing upon evidence that a licensee has violated a voluntary agreement. Upon a determination that the licensee has violated the voluntary agreement, the Board shall penalize the licensee according to the provisions set forth for violations of a license in Chapter 8. § 25-447. Show cause hearing. (a) The Board shall receive, at any time during the license period, complaints from any person, or the ANC representing the area in which the licensee exists, alleging a violation by a licensee of the terms of its license. Complaints shall be in writing and set forth enough information to allow the Board or its staff to investigate the matter. (b) In addition to written complaints identifying the complainant, any person may make an anonymous complaint in writing to the Board or orally to any ABRA investigator. Anonymous complaints shall be investigated to the best of the Board's ability, but may result in no action being taken if the anonymous complainant fails to provide the Board or the investigator with adequate information. (c) Within 30 days of receiving evidence supporting a reasonable belief that any licensee or permittee is in violation of the provision of this title or the regulations issued under it, the Board shall order the licensee or permittee, by personal service or certified mail, to appear before the Board not less than 30 days thereafter to show cause why the license or permit should not be revoked or suspended, or the licensee or permittee penalized, as provided by Subchapter II of Chapter 8. The notice shall state the time and place set by the Board for the hearing. (d) The licensee or permittee (or in the case of an entity, all members, partners, or officers) shall appear in person, may be represented by counsel, and shall be entitled to offer evidence in his, her, or its defense. (e) If the licensee or permittee waives the hearing or fails to appear, the Board shall proceed ex parte, unless the Board extends the time for the hearing for good and sufficient cause. (f) If the Board holds a show cause hearing on a complaint made under subsection (a) of this section, the Board, in issuing its order, may place certain conditions on the license if it determines that the inclusion of the conditions would be in the best interests of the locality, section, or portion of the District in which the establishment is licensed. The Board, in placing the conditions, shall state, in writing, the rationale for its decision. (g) All written complaints as set forth under subsection (a) of this section, which identify the complainant by name and address, shall be responded to by the Board or its staff within 90 days of receipt of the complaint, and shall advise the complainant of the action that the Board or its staff has taken on the matter. (h) The Board shall maintain records documenting complaints received and the action taken in response to the complaint. CHAPTER 5. ANNUAL FEES.Sec. § 25-501. Annual fees. (a) License fees shall be paid annually. The fee for the first year shall be paid at the time of application and the renewal fee shall be paid on or before the anniversary date of issuance of the license. (b) The applicant shall pay the initial license fee to the D.C. Treasurer. The applicant's duplicate receipt shall accompany the application for license. If the application for the license is denied, the fee shall be returned. This subsection shall not apply to an application for a temporary license. (c) A licensee's failure to timely remit the annual fee shall be cause for the Board to suspend the license until the licensee pays the fee and any fines imposed by the Board for late payment. If a licensee is 90 days delinquent on payment of the renewal fee, the Board shall give notice to the licensee of its intent to revoke the license. The licensee shall have 14 days to respond to the notice. If the Board thereafter determines that the failure to pay the fees and fines is not for good cause, the Board shall revoke the license. (d) The Board may establish license periods at intervals necessary to facilitate efficient processing of applications. If the Board changes a license period, the licensee shall pay the proportionate amount of the annual license fee. If the Board issues a license for less than one year, the licensee shall pay a fee reduced by the proportionate amount of the annual fee. (e) The fee for a temporary license shall be assessed according to the number of days for which the license is issued and shall be paid at the time of the application. § 25-502. Mayor may propose alteration in license fees. The Mayor may propose regulations, subject to approval in accordance with § 25- 211(b), to alter the license fees established by this chapter or to create additional license categories. § 25-503. Minimum annual fees for manufacturer's, wholesaler's, and off-premises retailer's licenses. The minimum annual fees for a manufacturer's, wholesaler's, and off-premises retailer's licenses shall be as set forth on the following:
§ 25-504. Minimum annual fees for on-premises retail licenses, class C and D. The minimum annual fees for an on-premises retailer's licenses, class C and D, shall be as set forth on the following schedule. Capacity shall be the posted level of occupancy approved under the Construction Codes, as defined under § 5-1301 and as set forth in Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
§ 25-505. Fees for Arena C/X and Washington Convention Center by Mayor. The annual license fee for the retailer's licenses, class Arena C/X, for the DC Arena and for the Washington Convention Center shall be established by the Mayor. 25-506. Minimum fees for temporary licenses. (a) The minimum fee for the issuance of a temporary license shall be the following:
(b) Upon request, the Board has the authority to reduce the fee to $150 per day, for a temporary license, class G, or to $50 per day, for a temporary license, class F, for nonprofit organizations. This reduction shall only be available once each calendar year to any single organization. (c) The Board may create regulations and fees, in accordance with §§ 25-211(b) and 25- 502, to permit an on-premises retailer under a restaurant license to apply for a one-day substantial change to the size of their licensed premises to expand the establishment's interior or exterior space in order to facilitate participation in community or street festivals. The Board shall not grant permission for this change more than twice in any calendar year for any establishment. § 25-507. Minimum annual fee for solicitor's licenses. The minimum annual fee for a solicitor's license shall be $250. § 25-508. Minimum fee for permits and managers license. The minimum fees for permits and managers license shall be as follows:
§ 25-509. Minimum fee for transfer of a license to new owner. The minimum fee for transfer of a license to a new owner shall be $150. § 25-510. Minimum fee for amendment to license. The minimum fee for an amendment to a license which results in an inspection of the licensed premises shall be $25. CHAPTER 6. PROTESTS, REFERENDUM, AND COMPLAINTS.Sec. § 25-601. Standing to file protest against a license. The following persons may protest the issuance or renewal of a license, the approval of a substantial change in the nature of operation as determined by the Board under § 25-404, a new owner license renewal, the transfer of a license to a new location, or initiate a referendum as set forth in § 25-604:
§ 25-602. Filing a protest -- timing and requirements. (a) Any person objecting, under § 25-601, to the approval of an application shall notify the Board in writing of his or her intention to object and the grounds for the objection within the protest period. (b) If the Board has reason to believe that the applicant did not comply fully with the notice requirements set forth in Subchapter II of Chapter 4, it shall extend the protest period as needed to ensure that the public has been given notice and has had adequate opportunity to respond. § 25-603. Referendum process -- general provisions. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Board shall deny an application for a new license, a change of license class, or the transfer of a license to a new location upon receiving valid written objections from the majority of registered voters residing within a 600- foot radius of the establishment to be licensed; provided, that an application to transfer a license to a new location that is within 600 feet of the former location of the licensed establishment, shall be excepted from this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the Board also shall deny an application for nude performance entertainment at a new location upon receiving valid written objections from the majority of registered voters residing within a 1200- foot radius of the establishment. (b) A majority shall be more than 1/2 of the total number of persons registered to vote in the District on the date of the license application and whose voter registration is at an address within the 600-foot radius (or 1200-foot radius in the case of an application for nude performance entertainment) delineated by the Board as stipulated in § 25-606. Each person shall be entitled to one vote on the referendum. (c) Any person who holds a license issued under this title shall be ineligible to vote on the referendum and shall not be counted in calculating a majority. (d) Objections shall be submitted on petition forms prescribed by the Board and shall be signed by the objectors. § 25-604. Application to initiate a referendum process (a) To initiate the referendum process, an eligible protestant, as set forth in § 25-601, shall submit to the Board a petition proposal, on a form prescribed by the Board, and a statement of no more than 100 words identifying the basis for the objection. The basis for the objection shall be the reason that the issuance of the license does not meet one or more of the appropriateness standards as set forth in §§ 25-313, 25-314, 25-315, and 25-316. The eligible objector shall at the same time submit the petition proposal and the statement to the ANC representing the area in which the applicant requests the license. (b) A petition form that does not contain a Board-approved statement shall be inadmissible and the persons signing an inadmissible form shall not be counted as objecting to the license application. (c) Within 10 business days from the date of receiving the proposed statement, the Board shall determine whether the proposed statement is nondiscriminatory in effect or intent according to the standards established by Chapter 25 of Title 1, and whether it complies with the requirements of this title, the regulations issued under this title, and any other applicable law and regulations of the District. The Board may revise the proposed statement, subject to the consent of the objector, or may request the objector to submit a revised statement. Upon determining that the statement complies with the requirements of this section, the Board shall approve the statement. § 25-605. Referendum -- ANC review of petition proposal and statement. (a) Within 45 days after the receipt of the petition proposal and statement, the ANC representing the area shall vote upon the merit of the objection. (b) The ANC shall notify the Board and the member of the Council representing the ward in which the ANC is located of the results of the vote. (c) If the ANC representing the area did not vote on the referendum within the 45 days allotted by this section, the Board shall deem the ANC to have waived its opportunity to comment on the referendum. § 25-606. Circulation of approved statement. (a) Within 30 days after the date of approval of the petition statement, the Board shall:
(b) The petition forms circulated to obtain the signatures of eligible objectors shall state whether the ANC voted in support of, or in opposition to, the license. (c) The period for collecting signatures on a petition shall be 45 days from the date that the Board completes the notifications required by subsection (a) of this section. § 25-607. Approval of petitions submitted to the Board. (a) Upon receiving completed petitions, the Board shall establish a period of 15 days during which the applicant or any other person may challenge the validity of the signatures. The Board shall provide the applicant with timely notification of the challenge period. (b) Within 15 days after the expiration of the challenge period, the Board shall determine whether the referendum meets the requirements of this subchapter for denial of the license application, and, if so, shall deny the license application. (c) If the Board determines at any time that proponents, circulators, or signers of a petition acted due to motives that are inconsistent with the limitations set forth in § 25-604 or any other provision of law, the Board shall declare the petition void. § 25-608. Licenses exempt from referendum process. Applications for a solicitor's license or a temporary license shall be exempt from the referendum process. § 25-609. ANC comments. The affected ANC shall notify the Board in writing of its recommendations, if any, not less than 7 calendar days before the date of the hearing. Whether or not the ANC participates as a protestant, the Board shall give great weight to the ANC recommendations as required by Subchapter V of Chapter 2 of Title 1. The applicant shall have the opportunity to respond to the ANC recommendations in a manner to be prescribed in the rules adopted by the Board. CHAPTER 7. STANDARDS OF OPERATION.Sec.Subchapter I. Staff Requirements. Subchapter II. Posting of Signs. Subchapter III. Hours; Noise Restrictions; Control of Litter. Subchapter IV. Sale on Credit, Gifts, and Loans. Subchapter V. Restrictions on Sales, Promotions, and Service. Subchapter VI. Limitations on Container Number, Size, Labeling, and Storage. Subchapter VII. Physical Space and Advertising. Subchapter VIII. Reporting, Importation. Subchapter IX. Minors and Intoxicated Persons. Subchapter XI. Temporary Surrender of License -- Safekeeping. Subchapter XII. Valet Parking. Subchapter I. Staff Requirements.§ 25-701. Board-approved manager required. (a) A person designated to manage an establishment shall possess a manager's license. (b) A licensee shall notify the Board within 7 calendar days of a manager's conviction for other than a minor traffic violation. (c) This section shall not apply to licensees who personally superintend the establishment during licensed hours of sale. § 25 -702. Employees -- notice of employee's criminal conviction.A licensee shall immediately notify the Board in writing if the licensee discovers that a employee who sells or serves any alcoholic beverage has, at any time up to 5 years before or during her or his employment, been convicted for other than minor traffic violations. Subchapter II. Posting of Signs.§ 25-711. Posting and carrying of licenses. (a) A person receiving a license to manufacture, sell, or permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages shall frame the license under glass and post it conspicuously in the licensed establishment. If a voluntary agreement is a part of the license, the license shall be marked "voluntary agreement on file" by the Board, and the licensee shall make a copy of the voluntary agreement immediately accessible to any member of the public, official of ABRA, or officer of the Metropolitan Police Department upon request. (b) The licensee under a retail license or a club license, shall post, in a conspicuous place on the front window or front door of the licensee's premises, the correct name or names of the licensee or licensees and the class and number of the license in plain and legible lettering not less than one inch nor more than 1.25 inches in height. (c) A licensee under a temporary license shall have the license available for inspection by any member of the Board, employee of the Board, or member of the Metropolitan Police Department during the event for which the license was issued. (d) A licensee under a solicitor's license shall, while soliciting orders, carry the license upon his or her person and shall exhibit the license, upon request, to any member of the Board, employee of the Board, or member of the Metropolitan Police Department. (e) A licensee under a manager's license shall, while managing a licensed establishment, carry the license upon his or her person and shall exhibit the license, upon request, to any member of the Board, employee of the Board, or member of the Metropolitan Police Department. § 25-712. Warning signs regarding dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy required. (a) A licensees shall post in a conspicuous place, in accordance with regulations, a sign which reads: "Warning: Drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can cause birth defects". (b) If the Board determines that action in addition to that required by subsection (a) of this section is necessary to accomplish the objectives of this title, the Board may require additional warnings. (c) The Board shall prepare the signs and make them available at no charge to licensees. (d) Each day of noncompliance shall constitute a separate violation of this section. (e) A violation of this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100. § 25-713. Retail licensee required to post current legal drinking age and notice of requirement to produce valid identification displaying proof of age. A retail licensee shall post a notice, maintained in good repair and in a place clearly visible from the point of entry to the establishment, stating: (1) The minimum age required for the purchases of an alcoholic beverage; and (2) The obligation of the patron to produce a valid identification document displaying proof of legal drinking age. Subchapter III. Hours; Noise Restrictions; Control of Litter.§ 25-721. Hours of sale and delivery for manufacturers and wholesalers. (a) A licensee under a manufacturer's license or a wholesaler's license shall sell and deliver alcoholic beverages only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday; provided, that licensees may also make deliveries between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday. (b) In addition to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the licensee under a manufacturer's license, class A or B, or a wholesaler's license, class A or B, may deliver alcoholic beverages to a license under a temporary license, class F or G, license between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. § 25-722. Hours of sale and delivery for off-premises retail licensees. (a) A licensee under an off-premises retailer's license, class A or B, may sell and deliver alcoholic beverages only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and during those same hours on December 24 and 31 of each year. (b) The Board may also permit a licensee under an off-premises retailer's license, class B, to sell or deliver alcoholic beverages between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. (c) This section shall apply 90 days after the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449). § 25-723. Hours of sale and service for on-premises retail licensees and temporary licensees. (a) The licensee under a hotel license may make available in the room of a registered adult guest, and charge to the registered guest if consumed, closed miniature containers of alcoholic beverages at all hours on any day of the week. (b) Except as provided in § 25-724, the licensee under a on-premises retailer's license or a temporary license may sell or serve alcoholic beverages on any day and at any time except between the following hours:
(c) On each January 1st, the licensee under an on-premises retailer's license or a temporary license may sell or serve alcoholic beverages until 4:00 a.m. § 25-724. Board authorized to further restrict hours of operation. At the time of initial application or renewal of any class of license, the Board may further limit the hours of sale and delivery for a particular applicant (1) based on the Board's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order following a protest hearing, or (2) under the terms of a voluntary agreement. § 25-725. Noise from licensed premises. (a) The licensee under an on-premises retailer's license shall not produce any sound, noise, or music of such intensity that it may be heard in any premises other than the licensed establishment by the use of any:
(b) This section shall not apply to:
(c) The licensees under this subchapter shall comply with the noise level requirements set forth in Chapter 27 of Title 20 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. § 25-726. Control of litter. (a) The licensee under a retailer's license shall take reasonable measures to ensure that the immediate environs of the establishment, including adjacent alleys, sidewalks, or other public property immediately adjacent to the establishment, or other property used by the licensee to conduct its business, are kept free of litter. (b) The licensee under a retailer's license shall comply with the Litter Control Expansion Amendment Act of 1987, effective October 9, 1987 (D.C. Law 7-38; 23 DCMR § 720). Subchapter IV. Sale on Credit, Gifts, and Loans.§ 25-731. Credit and delinquency. (a) For the purposes of this section, the term "payment" means the delivery to the manufacturer or wholesaler of cash or a check, draft, or other order for payment; provided, that the check, draft, or other order of payment is drawn only on the bank account of the retailer. (b) No alcoholic beverage shall be sold by a manufacturer or wholesaler to a retailer, or purchased by a retailer, except on the following terms: (1) full payment in cash on delivery, or (2) full payment in cash before the 16th day of the month following the month of purchase or delivery. (c) A retailer who fails to make payment in full in accordance with the terms of purchase shall not, during the period of delinquency, make any further purchases except for cash on delivery, and, during the period of delinquency, a manufacturer or wholesaler who has knowledge of such delinquency shall not sell any alcoholic beverages to the retailer except for cash on delivery. (d) Subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall constitute a reasonable extension of credit and no enlargement or extension of such terms, whether cash or credit, shall be granted by the manufacturer or wholesaler or accepted by the retailer. (e) The failure of a retailer who contracts to purchase an alcoholic beverage for full payment in cash on delivery to make full payment upon delivery shall constitute a violation of this chapter. (f) A retailer shall not satisfy the obligation to pay for an alcoholic beverage unless the payment is dated on or before the date payment is due and is, upon presentation, promptly honored by the bank on which it is drawn. (g) The failure of a manufacturer or wholesaler to deposit the payment in the manufacturers or wholesalers bank for credit or collection, or present the payment to the bank on which it is drawn, within 5 days from the receipt of a payment shall constitute a violation of this chapter. Each day that the failure continues shall constitute a separate violation. § 25-732. Payment plan for use in extenuating circumstances. (a) A retailer whose business has suffered major damage or loss due to arson, burglary, or other major disaster shall, upon approval of a payment plan by the Board, not be subject to § 25-731 for credit extended to the retailer before the occurrence of the major damage or loss. (b) A payment plan shall not extend for more than 12 months from the date of approval of the plan. (c) In approving a payment plan, the Board shall consider factors including the circumstances under which the loss or damage occurred; the amount of loss or damage; and whether the plan has been accepted by the wholesalers to whom the money is owed. (d) For good cause shown, the Board may modify an approved plan, including the extension of the one year payment period, for a limited period of time. (e) The failure of a retailer to make payment in accordance with the approved plan shall constitute a violation of this chapter. § 25-733. Delivery and payment records and reports. (a) A delivery of an alcoholic beverage to a licensee shall be accompanied by an invoice of sale or delivery which shall bear the date of delivery of the alcoholic beverages. (b) Before the 26th day of each month, each manufacturer and wholesaler shall file with each other manufacturer or wholesaler within the District, on a form prescribed by the Board, a statement under penalties of perjury showing the following:
(c) A manufacturer or wholesaler who, after receiving notification of delinquency by a retailer under § 25-731(c), extends credit to any retailer, shall be deemed to have violated § 25- 731(b). (d) Before March 2, June 2, September 2, and January 2 of each year, each manufacturer and wholesaler shall submit to the Board, on a form prescribed by the Board, a list of the following:
(e) Each manufacturer and wholesaler shall, within 24 hours of receipt from the bank or other depository of notice of dishonor of a check, draft, or other order for payment which the manufacturer or wholesaler received from a retailer, notify in writing the Board of the notice of dishonor. (f) Failure to file timely a report required by this section shall constitute a violation of this chapter. § 25-734. Sale by retailer of beverages on credit prohibited. (a) A licensee under a retailer's license shall not sell on credit any alcoholic beverages except as provided in this section. (b) For purposes of this section, the extension of credit by the licensee under an off- premises retailer's license in connection with the sale of an alcoholic beverage through a document, device, or plan intended or adapted for the purpose of establishing credit, except through the use of a credit card, shall be considered a sale on credit. (c) This section shall not prohibit a club from extending credit to its members or the guests of members or a hotel from extending credit to its registered guests. (d) This section shall not prohibit the licensee under an on-premises retailer's license from accepting payment by credit card for sales of alcoholic beverages to customers. § 25-735. Gifts and loans from manufacturer prohibited. (a) A manufacturer, whether or not licensed under this title, shall not engage in the following transactions with a wholesale or retail licensee:
(b) A wholesale or retail licensee shall not engage in the following transactions with a manufacturer, whether or not licensed under this title:
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, with the prior approval of the Board, a manufacturer may sell, give, rent, or loan to a wholesale or retail licensee any service or article of property costing the manufacturer not more than $500 and a wholesale or retail licensee may purchase from, rent from, borrow, or receive by gift from a manufacturer any service or article of property costing the manufacturer not more than $500. § 25-736. Gifts and loans from wholesaler prohibited. (a) A licensed wholesaler of alcoholic beverages, whether or not licensed under this title, shall not engage in the following transactions with a retail licensee:
(b) A retail licensee shall not engage in the following transactions with a wholesaler:
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of this section, with the prior approval of the Board, a wholesaler may sell, give, rent, or loan to a retail licensee any service or article of property costing the wholesaler not more than $500 and a retail licensee may purchase from, rent from, borrow, or receive by gift from a wholesaler any service or article of property costing the wholesaler not more than $500. Subchapter V. Restrictions on Sales, Promotions, and Service.§ 25-741. Go-cups and back-up drinks prohibited. (a) The licensee under an off-premises retailer's license, class A or B, shall not provide go-cups to customers. (b) The licensee under an on-premises retailer's license shall not serve back-up drinks to customers. § 25-742. Solicitation of drinks prohibited. The licensee under an on-premises retailer's license shall not:
§ 25-743. Tie-in purchases prohibited. (a) A manufacturer or wholesaler shall not require, directly or indirectly, a retailer to purchase any type of alcoholic beverage or other commodity in order to purchase any other alcoholic beverage. (b) A licensee under an off-premises retailer's license shall not require, directly or indirectly, a consumer to purchase any type of alcoholic beverage or other commodity in order to purchase any other alcoholic beverage. Subchapter VI. Limitations on Container Number, Size, Labeling, and Storage.§ 25-751. Limitations on container size. (a) The licensee under an off-premises retailer's license, class A, may sell and deliver no fewer than 6 miniatures of spirits or wine per purchase. (b) The licensee under a manufacturer's license, wholesaler's license, or an off-premises retailer's license shall not sell an alcoholic beverage in any container which does not comply with the standards of fill set forth in the most recent regulations issued under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, approved August 29, 1935 (49 Stat. 977; 27 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.). (c) No person shall sell or deliver in the District alcoholic beverages in containers of a capacity of 1/10 gallon, except the following:
§ 25-752. Containers to be labeled. No rectified or blended spirits shall be sold unless the container in which it is sold shall bear a legible label, firmly affixed, stating the nature and percentage of each ingredient (except water), the age of the ingredient, and the alcoholic content by volume. § 25-753. Keg registration required; procedures specified. (a) A licensee under an off-premises retailers or wholesalers license shall not sell any alcoholic beverage in a keg to a consumer without having affixed a registration seal on the keg at the time of sale. (b) A keg registration seal is a seal, decal, sticker, or other device approved by the Board which is designed to be affixed to kegs and which displays a registration number, name of the licensee offering the keg for sale to the consumer, and any other information required by the Board. (c) At the point of sale of an alcoholic beverage in a keg, the licensee shall complete a keg declaration of receipt on a form provided by the Board receipt, which receipt shall contain the following information:
(e) Upon return of a registered keg from a consumer, the licensee shall remove or obliterate the keg registration seal and note the removal or obliteration on the keg declaration of receipt form to be retained by the licensee at the licensed establishment. If a keg is made of disposable packaging that does not have to be returned by the consumer to the licensee, the licensee shall indicate on the keg declaration of receipt form that the keg is disposable. (f) A licensee shall maintain the keg declaration of receipt form on the licensed establishment for 2 years following the date of purchase. These records shall be open at all reasonable times for inspection by the Board, or its authorized representatives, and other law enforcement officers. (g) This section shall not apply to the wholesale sale of any keg between a wholesaler and a retailer or to the import of any keg by a retailer under this title or regulations promulgated hereunder. § 25-754. Restrictions on storage of beverages. (a) Alcoholic beverages shall not be manufactured, kept for sale, or sold by any licensee other than at the licensed establishment; provided, that the Board may permit the storing of beverages upon premises other than the licensed establishment under the following classes of licenses:
(b) A licensee may not store alcoholic beverages upon premises outside the District. Subchapter VII. Physical Space and Advertising.§ 25-761. Structural requirements. No license shall be issued for the sale or consumption of beverages in any building, a part of which is used as a dwelling or lodging house, unless the applicant files an affidavit stating to the satisfaction of the Board that access from the portion of the building used as a dwelling or lodging house to the portion where the applicant desires to sell alcoholic beverages is effectively closed; provided, that the provisions of this section shall not apply to a hotel or a club licensed under this title. The Board, by regulation, may provide for waiver of the provisions of this section upon application of a licensee. § 25-762. Substantial change in operation must be approved. (a) Before a licensee may make a change in the interior or exterior, or a change in format, of any licensed establishment, which would substantially change the nature of the operation of the licensed establishment as set forth in the initial application for the license, the licensee shall obtain the approval of the Board in accordance with § 25-404. (b) In determining whether the proposed changes are substantial, the Board shall consider whether they are potentially of concern to the residents of the area surrounding the establishment, including changes which would:
(c) A temporary or permanent reduction in the hours of operation of a licensed establishment shall not constitute a substantial change. § 25-763. Restrictions on use of signs. (a) Exterior signs advertising alcoholic beverages, which signs have a total cumulative area in the aggregate in excess of 10 square feet, shall be prohibited. (b) No sign advertising alcoholic beverages on the exterior of, or visible from the exterior of, any licensed establishment or elsewhere in the District shall be illuminated at any time when the sale of alcoholic beverages at the licensed premises is prohibited. (c) A sign advertising alcoholic beverages on the exterior of, or visible from the exterior of, any licensed establishment, which is illuminated with intermittent flashes of light shall be prohibited. (d) A retail licensee shall not erect or maintain at the licensed establishment, except to the extent required by federal law, a sign or lettering using the words "Wholesale," "Wholesaler," "Wholesale department," or any other word or words designed or intended to mislead or deceive the general public into believing that the licensee is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages as a wholesaler. (e) A sign which does not conform to this section shall be removed. (f) In addition to the provisions of this section, signage shall be subject to the regulations contained in Chapter 31 of Title 12 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. § 25-764. Advertisements related to alcoholic beverages in general. No person shall publish or disseminate, or cause to be published or disseminated, directly or indirectly, through any radio or television broadcast, in any newspaper, magazine, periodical, or other publication, or by any sign, placard, or any printed matter, an advertisement of alcoholic beverages which is not in conformity with this title. § 25-765. Advertisement on windows and doors of licensed establishment. (a) Advertisements relating to the prices of alcoholic beverages shall only be displayed in the window of a licensed establishment if the total area covered by the advertisements does not exceed 25% of the window space. (b) Advertisements relating to alcoholic beverages shall not be displayed on the exterior of any window or on the exterior or interior of any door. § 25-766. Prohibited statements. A statement that is false or misleading with respect to any material fact shall be prohibited. Subchapter VIII. Reporting, Importation.§ 25-771. Reporting. (a) Before the 21st day of each month, a licensee under a manufacturer's license shall furnish to the Board, on a form to be prescribed by the Mayor, a statement, under penalties of perjury, showing the quantity of each kind of alcoholic beverage, except beer, manufactured during the preceding month. For the purposes of this section, alcoholic beverages shall not be considered as manufactured until they are ready for sale. (b) Twice a year, a licensee under a wholesaler's or retailer's license shall furnish to the Board, on a form to be prescribed by the Mayor, a statement, under penalties of perjury, showing:
§ 25-772. Unlawful importation of beverages. (a) Only a licensee under a manufacturer's, wholesaler's, or common carriers license, or retailer's license under a validly issued import permit shall transport, import, bring, or ship or cause to be transported, imported, brought, or shipped into the District from outside the District any wines, spirits, or beer in a quantity in excess of one gallon at any one time. (b) No public or common carrier shall transport or bring into the District wine, spirits, or beer in a quantity in excess of one quart in any one calendar month for delivery to any one person in the District other than the licensee under a manufacturer's, wholesaler's, or retailer's license. (c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons possessing old stocks who are moving into the District, to embassies or diplomatic representatives of foreign countries, nor to wines imported for religious or sacramental purposes, or to wine, spirits, and beer to be delivered to the licensee under a manufacturer's, wholesaler's, or retailer's license. (d) The penalty for violation of this section shall consist of (1) the forfeiture of the beverages transported, imported, brought, or shipped, or caused to be transported, imported, brought, or shipped in violation of this section, and (2) a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months. (e) In addition to other penalties provided in this section, any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be liable for any tax, penalties, and interest provided for in this title. Subchapter IX. Minors and Intoxicated Persons.§ 25-781. Sale to minors or intoxicated persons prohibited. (a) The sale or delivery of alcoholic beverages to the following persons is prohibited:
(b) A retail licensee shall not permit at the licensed establishment the consumption of an alcoholic beverage by any of the following persons:
(c) A licensee or other person shall not, at a licensed establishment, give, serve, deliver, or in any manner dispense an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age, except as provided in § 25-784(b). (d) A licensee shall not be liable to any person for damages claimed to arise from refusal to sell an alcoholic beverage or refusal to permit the consumption of an alcoholic beverage in its establishment under the authority of this section. § 25-782. Restrictions on minor's entrance into licensed premises. (a) The licensee under an off-premises retailer's license, class A, shall not permit a person under 18 years of age to enter the licensed establishment between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on any day in which the public schools of the District are in session during the regular school year. (b) It shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of violating subsection (a) of this section that the licensee or a licensee's employee was shown a valid identification document indicating that the minor was 18 years of age or older, which document the licensee or the licensee's employee reasonably believed to be valid, and that the licensee or the licensees employee reasonably believed that the person was 18 years of age or older or was not truant or unlawfully absent from school. (c) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to a licensee under a retailer's license, class A, for a supermarket if its primary business and purpose is the sale of a full range of fresh, canned, and frozen food items, and if the sale of alcoholic beverages is incidental to the primary purpose and constitutes no more than 25% of total volume of gross receipts on an annual basis. (d) Except as otherwise permitted, a licensee shall not deny admittance to a person displaying a valid identification document displaying proof of legal drinking age. (e) The provisions of this section notwithstanding, a licensee not shall discriminate on any basis prohibited by Chapter 25 of Title 1. § 25-783. Production of valid identification document required; penalty. (a) A licensee shall refuse to sell, serve, or deliver an alcoholic beverage to any person who, upon request of the licensee, fails to produce a valid identification document. (b) A licensee or his agent or employee shall take steps reasonably necessary to ascertain whether any person to whom the licensee sells, delivers, or serves an alcoholic beverage is of legal drinking age. Any person who supplies a valid identification document showing his or her age to be the legal drinking age shall be deemed to be of legal drinking age. (c) Upon finding that a licensee has violated subsection (a) or (b) of this section in the preceding 2 years:
(d) The provisions of this section notwithstanding, no licensee shall discriminate on any basis prohibited by Chapter 25 of Title 1. § 25-784. Sale or distribution of beverages by minor prohibited. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a licensee shall not allow any person under 21 years of age to sell, give, furnish, or distribute an alcoholic beverage. (b) A licensee may allow an employee who is 18 years of age or older to sell, serve, or deliver an alcoholic beverage on the licensed premises; provided, that no employee under 21 years of age shall serve as a bartender. § 25-785. Delivery, offer, or otherwise making available to persons under 21; penalties. (a) A person who is not a licensee shall not, within the District, purchase an alcoholic beverage for the purpose of delivering the alcoholic beverage to a person who is under 21 years of age. (b) A person who is a licensee shall not, within the District, offer, give, provide, or otherwise make available an alcoholic beverage to a person who is under 21 years of age, except if necessary to allow the person to perform lawful employment responsibilities that require the person to have temporary possession of alcoholic beverages. (c) A person who violates any provision of this section shall:
(d) A person alleged to have violated this section may be issued a citation under § 23- 1110(b)(1). The person shall not be eligible to forfeit collateral. Subchapter XI. Temporary Surrender of License -- Safekeeping.§ 25-791. Temporary surrender of license -- safekeeping. (a) A license which is discontinued for any reason shall be surrendered by the licensee to the Board for safekeeping. The Board shall hold the license until the licensee resumes business at the licensed establishment or the license is transferred to a new owner. If the licensee has not initiated proceedings to resume operations or transfer the license within 60 days after suspension, the Board may deem this license abandoned after giving notice to the licensee. The licensee has 14 days to respond to the Board's notice to request continued safekeeping. (b) The Board may extend the period of safekeeping beyond 60 days for reasonable cause, such as fire, flood, other natural disaster; rebuilding or reconstruction; or to complete the sale of the establishment. (c) Licenses in safekeeping beyond 60 days, as extended by the Board, shall be reviewed by the Board every 6 months to ensure that the licensee is making reasonable progress on returning to operation. (d) This section shall not relieve a licensee from the responsibility for renewing the license upon its expiration. (e) If a licensee notifies the Board that the licensee has ceased to do business under the license or if the Board cancels the license under this section, the license shall be marked as "canceled." (f) Licenses which are restored after being held in safekeeping for longer than 2 years shall be subject to the license renewal process set forth in Chapter 4. (g) A license suspended by the Board under this title shall be stored at the Board. Subchapter XII. Valet Parking.§ 25-796. Valet parking. (a) If there is a voluntary agreement, or a condition placed by the Board on the granting of a temporary license, which stipulates that valet parking shall be provided to the customers of a licensee, the valet parking service:
(b) A valet parking attendant who enters the street while on duty during the nighttime shall wear a safety vest or other reflective material. CHAPTER 8. ENFORCEMENT, INFRACTIONS, AND PENALTIES.Subchapter I. Enforcement. Subchapter II. Revocation, Suspension, and Civil Penalties. Subchapter I. Enforcement.§ 25-801. Authority of the Board to enforce this title; enforcement responsibilities of ABRA investigators and Metropolitan Police Department. (a) The Board shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this title with respect to licensees and with respect to any person not holding a license and selling alcohol in violation of the provisions of this title. (b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, ABRA investigators and the Metropolitan Police Department shall issue citations for civil violations of this title that are set forth in the schedule of civil penalties established under § 25-830. (c) A citation for any violation for which the penalty includes the suspension of a license shall be issued under the direct authority of the Board as a result of an investigation carried out by ABRA investigators. (d) Prosecutions for misdemeanors under this title shall be prosecuted and initiated by information filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by the Corporation Counsel. Prosecutions for felonies under this title shall be prosecuted by the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. (e) Violations committed by an unlicensed person selling alcohol in violation of the provisions of this title shall be forwarded by the Board to the Corporation Counsel for prosecution. § 25-802. Examination of premises, books, and records. (a) An applicant for a license, and each licensee, shall allow any member of the Board, any ABRA investigator, or any member of the Metropolitan Police Department full opportunity to examine, at any time during business hours:
(b) ABRA investigators shall examine the premises and books and records of each licensed establishment in the District at least once each year. The investigators shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the licensee will know in advance the date of the inspection. § 25-803. Search warrants for illegal alcoholic beverages; disposition of seized beverages. If a search warrant is issued by any judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia or by a United States Magistrate for the District of Columbia for premises where any alcoholic beverages are manufactured for sale, kept for sale, sold, or consumed in violation of this title, the alcoholic beverages and any other property designed for use in connection with the unlawful manufacture for sale, keeping for sale, selling, or consumption may be seized and shall be subject to such disposition as the court may make thereof. § 25-804. Notifications from DCRA, Fire Department, and Metropolitan Police Department. (a) In accordance with procedures that the Mayor shall establish, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the Fire Department shall promptly notify the Board if a licensed establishment is the subject of a citation or other enforcement action for a violation of laws or regulations enforced by these departments. (b) If a licensed establishment is the subject of an incident report by the Metropolitan Police Department, the Metropolitan Police Department shall file a copy of the incident report with the Board. The Board shall make the report available for public inspection upon request. § 25-805. Nuisance. (a) Any building, ground, or premises where an alcoholic beverage is manufactured, sold, kept for sale, or permitted to be consumed in violation of this title shall be a nuisance. (b) An action to enjoin any nuisance defined in subsection (a) of this section may be brought in the name of the District of Columbia by the Corporation Counsel in the Civil Branch of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia against any person conducting or maintaining such nuisance or knowingly permitting such nuisance to be conducted or maintained. Subchapter II. Revocation, Suspension, and Civil Penalties.§ 25-821. Revocation or suspension -- general provisions. (a) Except as provided in § 25-826, the Board shall not revoke or suspend a license until the licensee has been given an opportunity to be heard in his or her defense. (b) If a license is revoked or suspended, no part of the license fee shall be returned. (c) If the Board revokes a license, no license shall be issued to the same person or persons whose license is so revoked for any other location for 5 years following the revocation, except as provided below. (d) If the Board revokes a manager's license, a manager's license shall not be issued to the same person for 2 years. (e) Subsection (c) of this section shall not apply to licenses revoked by the Board for procedural reasons. (f) The remaining alcoholic beverage stock of a licensee whose license has been revoked shall be disposed of only with the approval of the Board. § 25-822. Mandatory revocation. The Board shall revoke the license of a licensee as a result of any of the following events during the period for which the license was issued:
§ 25-823. Revocation or suspension for violations of this title or misuse of licensed premises. The Board may suspend or revoke the license of any licensee during the license period if:
§ 25-824. Revocation when wholesale or retail licensee is subject to undue influence by manufacturer. (a) If a manufacturer of alcoholic beverages, whether licensed by this title or not, shall have such a substantial interest, whether direct or indirect, in the business of a wholesale or retail licensee or in the premises on which the licensee's business is conducted as, in the judgment of the Board, may tend to influence the licensee to purchase alcoholic beverages from the manufacturer, the Board may revoke the license of the licensee. (b) This section shall not apply to the wholesale license held by a person not licensed as a manufacturer in the District owning an establishment for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages outside of the District. § 25-825. Revocation when retail licensee is subject to undue interest by wholesaler. If a wholesaler of alcoholic beverages, whether licensed under this title or not, shall have such a substantial interest, whether direct or indirect, in the business of any retail licensee or in the premises on which the licensee's business is conducted as may tend to influence the licensee to purchase beverages from the wholesaler, the Board may revoke the license of the licensee. § 25-826. Summary revocation or suspension. (a) If the Board determines, after investigation, that the operations of a licensee present an imminent danger to the health and safety of the public, the Board may summarily revoke, suspend, or restrict, without a hearing, the license to sell alcoholic beverages in the District. (b) The Board may summarily revoke, suspend, fine, or restrict the license of a licensee whose establishment has been the scene of an assault on a police officer, government inspector or investigator, or other governmental official, who was acting in his or her official capacity, when such assault occurred by patrons who were within 1,000 feet of the establishment. (c) A licensee may request a hearing within 72 hours after service of notice of the summary revocation, suspension, fine, or restriction of a license. The Board shall hold a hearing within 48 hours of receipt of a timely request and shall issue a decision within 72 hours after the hearing. (d) A person aggrieved by a final summary action may file an appeal in accordance with the procedures set forth in Subchapter I of Chapter 15 of Title 1. § 25-827. Request for suspension or revocation of license by Chief of Police. (a) The Chief of Police may request the suspension or revocation of a license if the Chief of Police determines that there is a correlation between increased incidents of crime within 1,000 feet of the establishment and the operation of the establishment. The determination shall be based on objective criteria, including incident reports, arrests, and reported crime, occurring within the preceding 18 months and within 1,000 feet of the establishment. (b) The Chief of Police may close an establishment for the remainder of the business day if he or she believes that continued operation presents an imminent danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the public. § 25-828. Notice of suspension or revocation. (a) If the Board orders the suspension or revocation of a license, the Board shall post a notice in a conspicuous place at or near the main street entrance of the outside of the establishment. (b) The posted notice shall state that the license has been suspended, the period of the suspension, and that the suspension is ordered because of a violation of this title or of the regulations promulgated under this title. § 25-829. Cease and desist orders. (a) If the Board or the Mayor, after investigation but before a hearing, has cause to believe that a person is violating any provision of this title and the violation has caused, or may cause, immediate and irreparable harm to the public, the Board or the Mayor may issue an order requiring the alleged violator to cease and desist immediately from the violation. The order shall be served by certified mail or delivery in person. (b)(1) The alleged violator may, within 15 days after the service of the order, submit a written request to the Board to hold a hearing on the alleged violation.
(c)(1) The alleged violator may, within 10 days after the service of an order, submit a written request to the Board for an expedited hearing on the alleged violation.
(d) If a request for a hearing is not made under subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the order of the Board or the Mayor shall be final. (e) If, after a hearing, the Board determines that the alleged violator is not in violation of this title, the Board shall revoke the order. (f) If a person fails to comply with a lawful order of the Board or the Mayor under this section, the Board may petition the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for an order compelling compliance or take any other action authorized by this subchapter. § 25-830. Civil Penalties. (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of the Title 25, D.C. Code Enactment and Related Amendments Act of 2000, passed on 2nd reading on December 19, 2000 (Enrolled version of Bill 13-449), the Board shall submit proposed regulations setting forth a schedule of civil penalties ("schedule") for violations of this title to the Council for a 60-day period of review, including Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and periods of Council recess. If the Counci does not approve, in whole or in part, the proposed regulations by resolution with the 60-day review period, the regulations shall be deem disapproved. The schedule shall replace all civil penalties, except as expressly provided in this title. (b) The schedule shall be prepared in accordance with the following provisions:
(c)(1) For primary tier violations, the penalties shall be no less than the following:
(d)(1) For secondary tier violations, the penalties shall be no less than the following:
(e) The Board may specify violations for which a licensee may be given a warning before the issuance of a citation for a first violation. (f) The Board or the Council may amend the schedule. An amendment by the Board shall be submitted to the Council for its approval in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. (g) The schedule and any amendments to the schedule shall be published in the District of Columbia Register and promulgated by the procedure adopted under § 25-211(e). (h) Penalties or fines assessed under this chapter shall be credited to the General Fund of the District of Columbia. § 25-831. Penalty for violation where no specific penalty provided; additional penalty for failure to perform certain required acts. (a) A person who violates any of the provisions of this title, or regulations under this title, for which no specific penalty is provided shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. (b) Any person required to file a return or report or perform any act under the provisions of this title who wilfully fails or refuses to file the return or report or perform the act within the time required shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or both. The penalty provided herein shall be in addition to other penalties provided by this title. (c) Violations of this section which are misdemeanors shall be prosecuted on information filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by the Corporation Counsel. Violations of this subsection which are felonies shall be prosecuted by the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. (d) A civil fine may be imposed as an alternative sanction for any violation of this title for which no specific penalty is provided, or any rules or regulations issued under the authority of this title, under Subchapters I through III of Chapter 27 of Title 6. Adjudication of an infraction of this chapter shall be under Subchapters I through III of Chapter 27 of Title 6. CHAPTER 9. TAXES.Sec. § 25-901. Taxes to be levied, collected, and paid on alcoholic beverages except beer. There shall be levied, collected, and paid on all of the following alcoholic beverages (1) manufactured by the licensee under a manufacturer's license, (2) imported or brought into the District by a licensee under a wholesaler's license, except alcoholic beverages as may be sold to a dealer licensed under the laws of any state or territory of the United States and not licensed under this title, and (3) imported or brought into the District by a licensee under a retailer's license, a tax at the following rates to be paid by the licensee in the manner hereinafter provided:
§ 25-902. Taxes to be levied, collected, and paid on beer. (a) There shall be levied, collected, and paid a tax of $2.79 on every barrel of beer containing not more than 31 gallons, and at the same rate for any other quantity or for the fractional parts thereof, on all beer that is:
(b)(1) Taxes shall be determined before the beer is dispensed into a container for consumption. A licensee under a brew pub permit shall have a suitable method for measuring the volume of beer, such as a meter or gauge glass.
§ 25-903. Collection of tax. (a) Taxes on alcoholic beverages shall be collected by, and paid to, the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for Tax and Revenue of the Office of Tax and Revenue, or any successor ("OTR Director") and shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the District. (b) Each licensee identified in §§ 25-901 and 25-902 shall, before the 16th day of each month, furnish to the OTR Director, on a form to be prescribed by the OTR Director, a statement under oath showing the quantity of alcoholic beverage subject to taxation sold by the licensee during the preceding calendar month and shall, before the 16th day of each month, pay to the OTR Director the tax imposed thereon. § 25-904. Importation permit and tax requirements. The Board shall not issue an importation permit until the taxes imposed by this chapter have been paid for the alcoholic beverages for which the permit is requested. § 25-905. Common carrier licenses and tax requirements. (a) In the case of a passenger-carrying marine vessel operating in and beyond the District or a club car or a dining car on a railroad operating in and beyond the District for which a retailer's license has been issued under this title, the tax as specified in § 25-901 shall be paid on all taxable beverages as are sold and served by the licensee while passing through or when at rest in the District, in the following manner:
§ 25-906. Exemption from tax. No tax shall be levied and collected on any alcoholic beverage exempt from tax under the laws of the United States, or on any alcohol sold for nonbeverage purposes by the licensee under a manufacturer's or wholesaler's license in accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Council. § 25-907. Mayor's responsibility in determining, redetermining, assessing, or reassessing any tax. (a) The Mayor shall determine, redetermine, assess, or reassess any tax imposed under this chapter, as follows:
(b)(1) A licensee or other person required to file a return or pay the tax, who fails to file the return, fails to file a correct return, or fails to pay the tax to the District within the time required by this chapter, shall be subject to (A) a penalty of 5% of the tax due for each month or fraction thereof that the failure continues, not to exceed 25% in the aggregate, plus (B) interest at the rate of 1 1/2% per month on the amount of the tax for each month or fraction thereof during which the failure continues.
(c) The tax imposed by this chapter, and interest and penalties thereon, shall become, from the time due and payable, a personal debt of the person liable to pay the same to the District. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "person" shall include any officer, and any employee or former employee, of a corporation responsible for the payment of the tax and any member or former member of a partnership, limited liability company, or association, and any employee or former employee, of a partnership, limited liability company, or association responsible for the payment of the tax. § 25-908. Collection of tax by OTR Director. (a) The taxes imposed by this chapter and penalties and interest thereon shall be collected by the OTR Director in the manner provided by law for the collection of taxes due to the District on personal property in force at the time of such collection. The liens for the taxes imposed by this chapter and penalties and interest thereon may be acquired in the same manner that liens for personal property taxes are acquired. (b) If the OTR Director believes that the collection of a tax imposed by this chapter will be jeopardized by delay, the OTR Director shall, whether or not the time otherwise prescribed by law for filing the return or for paying the tax has expired, immediately assess the tax, plus all interest and penalties, the assessment of which is provided by law. The tax, penalties, and interest shall be immediately due and payable and immediate notice and demand shall be made by the OTR Director for payment. (c) Upon failure or refusal to pay the tax, penalty, or interest, the OTR Director may collect the tax by distraint. § 25-909. Refund of tax erroneously or illegally collected. (a) If any tax has been erroneously or illegally collected by the District, the tax shall be refunded if application under oath is filed with the OTR Director for such refund within 3 years from the payment of the tax. (b) The application shall be made by the person upon whom the tax was imposed and who has actually paid the tax. (c) Application for a refund under this section shall be deemed an application for a revision of tax, penalty, or interest and the OTR Director may receive evidence on the application. After making a determination of whether the refund shall be made, the OTR Director shall notify the applicant of the determination. § 25-910. Judicial review of tax determination or denial of refund claim. A person aggrieved by a final determination of tax or by a denial of a claim for refund (other than a refund of tax finally determined in § 25-909) may, within 6 months from the date of assessment of the deficiency or from the date of the denial of a claim for refund, appeal to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in §§ 47-3303, 47-3304, 47-3306, 47-3307, and 47-3308. § 25-911. Seizure and forfeiture of alcoholic beverages and vehicles for which taxes have not been paid. (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 25-803, if the taxes levied and imposed on alcoholic beverages by this chapter which have not been paid as required by this chapter, such alcoholic beverages shall be declared contraband goods and shall be forfeited to the District in accordance with the procedure set forth in this section. The Mayor may seize any such alcoholic beverages wherever they are found. (b) If the Mayor has knowledge or reason to suspect that a vehicle is carrying alcoholic beverages or contains any alcoholic beverages in violation of the regulations contained in this title concerning the importation of alcoholic beverages, the Mayor may stop the vehicle and inspect it for alcoholic beverages on which the taxes levied and imposed by this chapter have not been paid. If such alcoholic beverages are found, the alcoholic beverages and the vehicle shall be declared contraband goods, shall be seized, and shall be forfeited to the District; provided, that the following vehicles shall not be subject to forfeiture under this section:
(c) All property which is seized under subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be placed under seal or removed to a place designated by the Mayor. A libel action in the name of the District property shall be prosecuted against the property in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by the Corporation Counsel. Unless good cause is shown to the contrary, the property shall be forfeited to the District. (d) The property shall not be subject to replevin, but shall be deemed to be in the custody of the Mayor, subject only to the orders, decrees, and judgments of the court. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the property is subject to seizure and forfeiture on account of failure to comply with the provisions of this title and the Mayor determines that the failure was excusable, the Mayor may return the property to the owner. (f) If the Mayor determines that any property seized is liable to perish or become greatly reduced in price or value by keeping the property until the completion of forfeiture proceedings, the Mayor may:
(g) After the final order, decree, or judgment is made, forfeited property shall be sold in the same manner as personal property seized for the payment of District taxes. The proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the General Fund of the District of Columbia. If there is a bona fide prior lien against the forfeited property, the proceeds of the sale of the property shall be applied in the following priority:
CHAPTER 10. LIMITATIONS ON CONSUMERS.Sec. § 25-1001. Drinking of alcoholic beverage in public place prohibited; intoxication prohibited. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, no person in the District shall drink an alcoholic beverage or possess in an open container an alcoholic beverage in or upon any of the following places:
(b) Subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not apply if drinking or possession of an alcoholic beverage occurs:
(c) No person, whether in or on public or private property, shall be intoxicated and endanger the safety of himself, herself, or any other person or property. (d) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) or (c) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500, or imprisoned for not more than 90 days, or both. [check with Sharon.] (e) Any person in the District who is intoxicated in public and who is not conducting himself or herself in such manner as to endanger the safety of himself, herself, or of any other person or of property shall be treated in accordance with Chapter 5 of Title 24. § 25-1002. Purchase, possession or consumption by persons under 21; misrepresentation of age; penalties. (a) No person who is under 21 years of age shall purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or drink an alcoholic beverage in the District, except as provided under Subchapter IX of Chapter 7. (b)(1) No person shall falsely represent his or her age, or possess or present as proof of age an identification document which is in any way fraudulent, for the purpose of purchasing, possessing, or drinking an alcoholic beverage in the District.
(c) Any person under 21 years of age who falsely represents his or her age for the purpose of purchasing, possessing, or drinking an alcoholic beverage shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined for each offense not more than $300; provided, that in default in the payment of the fine, the person shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding 30 days. (d) In addition to the penalties provided in subsection (c) of this section, any person who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to the following penalties:
(e)(1) As an alternative sanction to the misdemeanor penalties provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person who violates subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be subject to the following civil penalties:
§ 25-1003. Prohibition on beverage storage containers in the DC Arena. (a) No person shall bring, or have in his or her possession, anywhere on the premises of the DC Arena, including space referred to in section § 25-114, a container used to hold or store beverages or liquids of any kind, including bottles and cans. (b) This section shall not apply to a person licensed by the Board to possess, sell, give away, transport, or store alcoholic beverages or containers on the premises of the DC Arena; to an employee or agency acting for any such duly authorized or licensed person; or to a container provided on the premises of the DC Arena by the lessee or its concessionaires and tenants. § 25-1004. Prohibition on use of watercraft under certain conditions. (a) No person shall operate or be in physical control of any vessel or watercraft, including water skis, aquaplane, sailboard, personal water craft, or similar device in the District, if:
(b) A person under 21 years of age shall not operate or be in physical control of any vessel or watercraft, including water skis, aquaplane, sailboard, personal watercraft, or a similar device in the District if the person's blood, breath, or urine contains any measurable amount of alcohol. (c) No person shall operate or be in physical control of any vessel or watercraft while the person is impaired by the consumption of intoxicating liquor. (d) For the purposes of this section and §§ 25-1005 through 25-1007, the term "controlled substance" has the same meaning as set forth in § 33-501(4). (e) The Harbor Master shall be directly responsible for enforcing this section and shall ensure that the public is made aware of the District's aggressive enforcement policy through a continual public awareness campaign. § 25-1005. Prohibition on use of watercraft under certain conditions -- consent to testing. (a) If there is a reasonable suspicion to believe that the person is operating or in physical control of any vessel or watercraft while under the influence of, or intoxicated by, alcohol or a controlled substance, he or she shall be deemed to have given consent for 2 chemical tests of the person's blood, urine, or breath for the purpose of determining the person's blood-alcohol or drug content. If a person refuses to submit to a chemical test under this section, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia shall order the person not to operate any vessel or watercraft for at least one year. (b) The arresting police officer or any other appropriate law enforcement official shall elect which chemical test shall be administered to the person; provided, that the person may object to a particular test on valid religious or medical grounds. (c) The test shall be administered at the direction of a police officer or other appropriate law enforcement official. (d) Chemical tests shall be performed on all operators involved in a fatal accident. If a person who operates or is in physical control of any vessel or watercraft is declared dead by competent authority, the person shall be deemed to have given his or her consent to chemical tests as soon as practical after the death has been declared to be the result of a fatal accident. (e) The refusal to submit to either of the 2 tests required in this section shall be admissible in any civil or criminal proceeding arising as a result of the acts alleged to have been committed by the person before the arrest. A refusal to submit to any test as required by this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a $500 fine, imprisonment of 90 days, or both. § 25-1006. Prohibition on use of watercraft under certain conditions -- preliminary testing; admissibility of test results. (a) A law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is or has been violating any provision of this section, without making an arrest or issuing a citation, may request the person to submit to a preliminary breath test, to be administered by the officer, who shall use a device which the Mayor has by rule approved for that purpose. Before administering the test, the officer shall advise the person to be tested that the results of the test will be used to aid in the officer's decision whether or not to arrest the person. (b) The results of a preliminary test shall not be used as evidence by the District in any prosecution and shall not be admissible in any judicial proceedings; provided, that the results of the test may be used, and shall be admissible, in any judicial proceeding in which the validity of the arrest or the conduct of the officer is an issue. (c) The admissibility of all test results shall be governed by § 40-717.2. § 25-1007. Prohibition on use of watercraft under certain conditions -- penalties. (a) A person violating § 25-1004 (a) or (b) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and:
(b) A person violating § 25-1004(c) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and:
§ 25-1008. Prima facie evidence of intoxication. (a) If a person is tried in any court of competent jurisdiction within the District for operating a vessel or watercraft in violation of § 25-1004 or manslaughter committed in the operation of a vessel or watercraft in violation of § 22-2405, the following standards shall apply to competent evidence based upon a chemical test:
§ 25-1009. Operation of locomotive, streetcar, elevator, or horse-drawn vehicle by intoxicated person prohibited. (a) No person shall be intoxicated while in charge of or operating a locomotive; acting as a conductor or brakeman of a car or train of cars; or operating a streetcar, or horse-drawn vehicle. (b) A person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $300, or by imprisonment for not longer than 3 months, or both. (c) Nothing herein contained shall be construed as repealing or modifying §§ 40-301 through 40-303, 40-713, 40-731, 40-735, and 40-743. (d) Civil penalties and fees may be imposed as alternative sanctions for any violation of this section in accordance with the procedures under Chapter 27 of Title 6. TITLE II. RELATED AMENDMENTS.Sec. 201. Section 1108(c)(2)(I) of the District of Columbia Government Comprehensive Merit Personnel Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-139; D.C. Code § 1- 612.8(c)(2)(I)), is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 202. Section 8(b) of the Alcoholic Beverage Control and Rules Reform Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 24, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-122; 23 DCMR § 904.6), is repealed. Sec. 203. Chapter 3 of Title 23 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations is amended as follows: (a) Subsection 302.9 is amended to read as follows:
(b) A new subsection 306.11 is added to read as follows:
(c) A new subsection 307.11 is added to read as follows:
TITLE III. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT.Sec. 301. The Council adopts the attached fiscal impact statement as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1-233(c)(3)). TITLE IV. EFFECTIVE DATE.Sec. 401. This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), approval by the Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code § 47-392.3(a)), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1-233(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register. Chairman Mayor |
Send mail with questions or comments to webmaster@dcwatch.com
Web site copyright ©DCWatch (ISSN 1546-4296)