WELCOME
Letter from the Chairman
BY PAUL THOMAS | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Here Moving ' s to In Summer A Positive Direction
This Legislative season we finally saw the passing of a bill rewriting Title 04 . Something that has taken years to get done and something that we have come so close to several times but only now finally got through the legislative process . The new legislation will improve and clarify many things and open new opportunities for those in our industry . While the legislative portion of Modernizing Title 04 is now complete , that is only part of the process required to complete clarifying and modernizing Title 04 . Along with the statute changes made by the Legislature , there
“ will have to be many regulation projects . These projects will set the specifics of how the Alcohol Beverage Control board will implement the changes to the Statute made this year . There is no doubt that the legislative piece is the most critical change for our industry in decades . But don ’ t dismiss the regulation process as you have heard many times , “ the devil is in the details ,” and the regulation process is the details of how the statute will be carried out . There will still be lots of work to do by THIS YEAR . your CHARR staff , Government Affairs Committee , Board , licensees , and the public to take Title 04 to completion . Or at least this reiteration , as we know , Title 04 is never totally static . There may be bills in the legislature next year to introduce changes to the structure passed just this year . I believe a solid process is
THESE PROJECTS WILL SET THE SPECIFICS OF HOW THE ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD WILL IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES TO THE STATUTE MADE
lined out to tackle the many regulations needed quickly while implementing the new legislation . They will involve all the affected parties , as happened during the legislative piece of the rewrite . But I urge you to stay informed and be part of the process . The Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office website is an excellent place to keep up to date on current projects as they evolve .
Our Annual Convention will be held this year in your
Capital City and my hometown , Juneau . I firmly believe that convention is an integral part of our organization . Meeting with other owners and industry people from all over Alaska provides insight into our industry that you don ’ t get otherwise . The annual convention allows us to receive important industry updates , such as Title 04 , and a chance to strengthen old relations and make new ones . It pulls us together as an industry and strengthens our voice when we need to act against harmful legislation or viewpoints . Over the years , I have also gained valuable knowledge through the incredible list of speakers our staff has brought to present during our conventions . The educational and recreational opportunities convention gives our industry should not be missed . I look forward to what this year ’ s convention will bring us and hope to see a strong attendance this year as we edge closer to the normal of years past .
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ALASKA CHARR MAGAZINE | 2