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HB 1197

Alcoholic beverage control; suspension or revocation of certain retail licenses, reinstatement.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Phil Scott

Virginia bill modifying alcoholic beverage retail license suspension, revocation, and reinstatement procedures to adjust enforcement mechanisms and business recovery pathways.

Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (7-Y 2-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 1197

Legislative bill overview

HB 1197 modifies Virginia's alcoholic beverage control laws regarding the suspension and revocation of retail licenses, and establishes procedures for reinstatement of licenses that have been suspended or revoked. The bill was introduced by Phil Scott and referred to the General Laws Committee but faced a subcommittee recommendation to table it in February 2026.

Why is this important

Alcoholic beverage retail licensing directly affects businesses, local tax revenue, and community alcohol sales regulation. Changes to suspension/revocation and reinstatement procedures can significantly impact restaurant owners, convenience store operators, and other retailers who depend on ABC licenses for operations, while also affecting state and local governments' ability to enforce alcohol control regulations.

Potential points of contention

  • License reinstatement standards: The bill's specific reinstatement criteria are not detailed in available materials, but disputes likely center on how difficult or easy it should be for violators to regain licenses—stricter standards protect public interest but may seem punitive to business owners
  • Enforcement discretion: Changes to suspension/revocation procedures could shift power between state ABC authorities and license holders, affecting consistency and fairness of enforcement across different regions and violation types
  • Economic impact on small businesses: Retail operators may argue the procedures are too harsh, while public health advocates and law enforcement may argue they're too lenient, creating fundamental disagreement about the appropriate balance

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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