TITLE 3. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL AUTHORITY

Initial Agency Notice

Title of Regulation: 3VAC5-70. Other Provisions.

Statutory Authority: § 4.1-103 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: Trevor Shand.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: I am a married 43-year-old father of two. I live in central Virginia, which has a great microbrew scene. A few months ago, I picked up an old fridge and converted it to a kegerator so I could enjoy local brews on tap. But, I quickly realized, because of the keg laws in Virginia, buying kegs is a pain. When I go into the grocery store, I have to go to customer service, wait in line, fill out a tag, pay a deposit, and have them bring up the keg and tag it. I live in Charlottesville, a college town, and while I am waiting in line, I routinely watch a couple of college students check out with double-digit numbers of 30-packs, with no more hassle than showing an ID. I guess I understand the original idea around the keg tagging laws, but it seems to be more bureaucracy and paperwork than actually accomplishing what it is supposed to. Can I simply purchase a keg as I do cases or six-packs? I may be a voice of one, but I for one would support repealing the keg laws, that is 3VAC5-70-180, Regulation of the sale of alcoholic beverages in kegs and other containers; permit and registration; other requirements. Here is a link to an article about Michigan repealing its similar law: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/michigan_keg_tag_law_repealed.html.

Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: In accordance with § 2.2-4007 B of the Code of Virginia, the petition has been filed with the Registrar of Regulations. The petition will be published in Volume 34, Issue 15 of the Virginia Register of Regulations on March 19, 2018. Public comment is requested until April 9, 2018. Comment on the petition may be sent by email or regular mail or posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at www.townhall.virginia.gov. Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend the regulation, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language. This matter will be considered by the authority when it next convenes following the end of the comment period, that is, April 27, 2018. The authority will issue a written decision on the petition within 90 days of the close of the comment period.

Public Comment Deadline: April 9, 2018.

Agency Contact: LaTonya D. Hucks, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 2901 Hermitage Road, Richmond, VA 23220, telephone (804) 213-4698, or email latonya.hucks@abc.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R18-25; Filed February 15, 2018, 12:37 p.m.