Written by In December of 2019, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission issued the following update, providing information on topics from direct shipping of alcohol to the Federal REAL ID Act. The message was circulated to industry members and those signed up to receive TABC correspondence. We appreciate and value these updates and the TABC’s efforts to periodically publish information directly relevant to all types of alcoholic beverage industry members doing business in Tennessee.
Here is the TABC’s December 2019 message:
Looking Ahead to 2020
Believe it or not, 2019 is soon ending, and the TABC is excited to continue its efforts in 2020 to improve service for Tennesseans and to promote public safety. Here are some of the highlights of what to expect in 2020. First, the IT team is plugging away at some significant improvements to RLPS that will benefit both agency and external users. Also, the agency will be stepping up its enforcement actions regarding server permits. In addition to the criminal citations we issue, we will be starting an initiative to review the permit status of all individuals caught selling to minors, and we will seek permit suspensions when appropriate. Finally, the agency will continue its increased focus on compliance with the direct shipper laws with additional educational outreach and targeted investigations of the “Top 200” shippers of alcohol into the state, which account for over 90% of the volume of alcohol shipped into Tennessee.
New Website Information and Resources
There have been several recent additions to our website, which include new FAQs, updated material and additional resources.
Airline, Boat and Train Licenses – New FAQ
https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/abc/licensing/liquor-by-the-drink-licenses/airline–boat-and-train-licenses.html
Festival Licenses – New FAQ
https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/abc/licensing/liquor-by-the-drink-licenses/festival.html
Special Occasion Licenses – Updated FAQ
https://www.tn.gov/abc/licensing/liquor-by-the-drink-licenses/special-occasion-licenses–lob-.html
Directory of Direct Shipper Licenses – New resource
Direct Shipper Licenses
https://www.tn.gov/abc/public-information-and-forms.html
Information Regarding the REAL ID Act
In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, we wanted to share an update regarding the REAL ID Act.
As you may know, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production, and prohibits federal agencies from accepting, for certain purposes, driver licenses and state identification cards that do not meet the Act’s minimum standards. Beginning October 1, 2020, all persons must have a REAL ID to access certain federal buildings, to enter nuclear facilities, and to board commercial flights within the United States.
However, valid driver licenses and state identification cards that may not meet the Act’s standards are still acceptable forms of identification for purposes of driving, voting, or purchasing alcohol or cigarettes.
For more information about the REAL ID Act, please visit https://www.tn.gov/tnrealid/.
Last modified: December 20, 2019
