FY 2016 Appropriation

Utah is one of seventeen liquor control states and one of two totally state run systems. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) operates 44 State stores and approximately 100 package agencies. These state stores and package agencies are the exclusive retailers of liquor, wine and heavy beer (more than 4 percent alcohol by volume) in the Utah. The Department administers liquor laws and licenses on-premise businesses, temporary event permits, manufacturers, beer wholesalers, warehouses, and liquor representatives.

The Department regulates the manufacture, sale and use of alcoholic beverages. Without promoting the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages, the Department operates as a public business generating revenue for state and local government programs. The Department licenses and regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages, as directed by statute, at prices that reasonably satisfy the public demand while also protecting the public interest.

Funding History

Funding Issues

Credit Card Processing Fees

When sales volume increases, the overall credit card processing fees and shipping cost increase as a cost of doing business. Funding is needed to keep up with caseload growth. Licensees are also asking to be able to use credit cards for purchases.

Liquor Stores

To replace one-time funding with ongoing funding for 6 liquor stores. Funds were reduced during the great recession.

Package Agency Contractual Compensation

Package agencies are liquor outlets operated by private individuals or corporate entities under contract with the state for the purpose of selling packaged liquor, wine and beer to the general public for off-premise consumption. Package Agencies are located in communities too small to warrant the establishment of a state store. Compensation for the agencies is based on thresholds as the thresholds are met the compensation goes up.

Parents Empowered Statutory Increase

Statute requires the Division of Finance to set aside .6% of liquor sales for the Parents Empowered advertising program.
Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $43,398,400 from all sources for Alcoholic Beverage Control. This is a 1.7 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources.

Appropriation Adjustments

In addition to statewide compensation and internal service fund cost increases, the following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:

DescriptionOngoingOne-Time Alcoholic Beverage Control Amendments$15,600$15,600
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$15,600$15,600Liquor Control Fund
Enactment of this legislation could increase dedicated credit revenue by $4,000 annually and $6,000 one-time in FY 2016 from the Bureau of Criminal Identification fee identified in the legislation. Pass-through funding to the Federal Bureau of Investigations could also increase by $10,400 annually and $15,600 one-time from the fees in the legislation. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control costs identified below could reduce the year-end transfer to the General Fund by $15,600 ongoing and by $15,600 one-time in FY 2016. Enactment of this legislation could cost Public Safety $4,000 ongoing from dedicated credits revenue for data storage, review and analysis. Potential costs to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for oversight, processing and background checks could be $15,600 annually from the Liquor Control Fund and $15,600 one-time in FY 2016. Spending from the Liquor Control Fund impacts year-end transfers to the General Fund.
Backfill IT Efficiencies in FY 2016$0$200,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$200,000Liquor Control Fund
Funding was reduced for efficiencies that will begin in FY 2017 when the new data system is in place. To prevent a reduction to operations funding is proposed to backfill the ongoing cut with one-time funding.
Credit Card Processing Fees$724,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$724,000$0Liquor Control Fund
When sales volume increases, the overall credit card processing fees and shipping cost increase as a cost of doing business. Funding is needed to keep up with caseload growth. Licensees are also asking to be able to use credit cards for purchases.
Eden Package Agency$65,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$65,000$0Liquor Control Fund
Growth in demand has led to a request to create a replacement package agencies for the one that was closed during the Audit crisis.
Efficiencies from New Information System ($200,000)$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
($200,000)$0Liquor Control Fund
DABC has asked to use the one-time savings from a bond payment to establish a new information system. The cost savings from the maintenance contracts could be approximately $200,000 annually beginning in FY 2017. Take the savings ongoing in FY 2016 and replace it with one-time.
Eliminate Shipping Cost Increases ($300,000)$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
($300,000)$0Liquor Control Fund
Eliminate the shipping cost increases provided in the 2014 General Session since the agency was able to absorb them and lapse the funds to the General Fund.
Liquor Stores$1,000,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$1,000,000$0Liquor Control Fund
To replace one-time funding with ongoing funding for 6 liquor stores. Funds were reduced during the great recession.
Package Agency Contractual Compensation$35,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$35,000$0Liquor Control Fund
Package agencies are liquor outlets operated by private individuals or corporate entities under contract with the state for the purpose of selling packaged liquor, wine and beer to the general public for off-premise consumption. Package Agencies are located in communities too small to warrant the establishment of a state store. Compensation for the agencies is based on thresholds as the thresholds are met the compensation goes up.
Parents Empowered Statutory Increase$122,400$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$122,400$0GFR - Underage Drinking Prevention
Statute requires the Division of Finance to set aside .6% of liquor sales for the Parents Empowered advertising program.
West Valley Liquor Store O&M$41,000 ($41,000)
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$41,000 ($41,000)Liquor Control Fund
This pays for future O&M on a non-state funded building authorized in S.B. 9.
Statute

The following statutes govern the operation of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

  • UCA 32A contains all the general agency provisions, including those relating to licenses, permits, distribution, criminal offenses, alcohol liability, and public nuisances.

Intent Language

HB0003: Item 65

Under Section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that any remaining amount from the $2,050,000 one-time bond payment savings appropriation provided by Item 19, Chapter 10, Laws of Utah 2014 for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control - DABC Operations not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015. These funds will be used for completion of the warehouse management software project.

DABC consists of two line items: Alcoholic Beverage Control and Parents Empowered.

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COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.