Bill Text: VA SJR123 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-26 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ123ER) [SJR123 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SJR123-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority will celebrate its 90th anniversary on March 22, 2024; and
WHEREAS, following the end of national Prohibition, the Commonwealth chose to become a control state for the sale, consumption, and regulation of alcohol; and
WHEREAS, over the course of the past 90 years, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has grown with the alcohol industry to become a leader among the 17 control states in the United States, consistently ranking above the national average in alcohol-related health, regulation, education, prevention, and public safety; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is to strengthen the Commonwealth through public safety, education, and revenue from the responsible regulation and sale of alcoholic beverages; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is a leading revenue producer for the Commonwealth and source of future economic growth and innovation for the state; the authority administers and regulates alcohol-related laws, while prioritizing public safety and fairness by embracing the authority's values of accountability, service, integrity, and performance excellence for a stronger and safer Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority contributes to community health through expansive community partnerships and K-12 and higher education prevention programs for Virginians of all ages; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority's special agents work with more than 19,000 licensed businesses to achieve compliance with alcohol-related laws and regulations and to address noncompliance issues in a collaborative and thorough manner; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority works frequently with other state and local law-enforcement agencies to reduce criminal activities involving alcohol, and in the past year alone, this work has resulted in more than 500 public safety investigations and dozens of summary suspensions to enhance public safety; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is primarily focused on alcohol-related regulatory matters, achieving compliance, and continuous improvement; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority's Bureau of Law Enforcement has achieved and sustained accreditation through the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission, has been recognized twice as Liquor Law Enforcement Agency of the Year, and has exceeded training requirements to ensure agents remain equipped to successfully execute on the Authority's mission now and into the future; and
WHEREAS, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority has evolved from six initial stores in Richmond to over 400 throughout the Commonwealth and has contributed $13.2 billion to the Commonwealth's general fund supporting major education, health, and prevention initiatives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority for its progress and growth over the last 90 years and for its continuing efforts on behalf of the Commonwealth and its residents that will continue well into the future; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the leadership of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for nine decades of exemplary service to the Commonwealth and its residents.
