GIA told server-training proposals softening
In a quick and efficient meeting via conference call Aug. 19, the Gaming Industry Association's directors heard that potentially problematic legislative bill drafts on alcohol server training are being revised to soften impacts.
The conference call, which lasted just under an hour, was set up after the regularly scheduled meeting in Helena Aug. 4 was canceled.
Regarding the server training, GIA Executive Director Neil Peterson said the word coming out of the Law and Justice Interim Committee is that a proposal for a new state-managed server training program isn't likely to happen.
Peterson said the gaming and tavern industries had gone on record in support of server training, but not in support of any of the training proposals that had come before the committee.
An unofficial bill drafted at the request of Sen. Carol Juneau (D- Browning) would have established mandatory alcohol server training and licensing administered by the Department of Revenue but paid for by private enterprise.
Under the draft, businesses would have to devise and submit a server training plan for department approval that would assure servers are trained within 60 days of hire and annually thereafter, and maintain all employee training records.
The revenue department would be charged with setting standards for approval of privately provided training programs and would establish a program to train and certify trainers. Further, the draft called for trainers to charge fees determined by the department to in turn be conveyed to the department to cover its administrative expenses.
Peterson said the committee "at this time is not in favor of setting up an entity to track employees trained or for the department to charge fees to location operators."
And, he said, an industry-favored training certification good for three years – not an annual certificate that would require once-a-year training for servers – was presented to the committee.
On another matter, Peterson told the directors that he met with Liquor Division Administrator Shauna Helfert to express concerns related to some "premise-altering" rules that were introduced by the department but then pulled back.
Peterson further related that he is hopeful the department will “make the required changes to the rules that will satisfy our concerns and still allow the department to address their concerns.”
For example, one new Department of Revenue rule draft would require that an establishment with a beer license and wine endorsement (commonly known as a "beer and wine" license) operate as a restaurant with a menu or a prepared food business. It is not clear from the rule what would be required to meet a restaurant or prepared food changes. A second change would require outdoor customer areas to be completely enclosed by a fence at least three feet high and only be accessible from inside the premises.
This would be a substantial change to existing regulations and what the department has approved in the past.
Peterson also noted that "so far" no legislative bills have been drafted calling for tax increases.
GIA business
Peterson led a discussion concerning upcoming legislative races and their respective candidates. He encouraged GIA members to contribute to candidates who support the industry’s positions on potential issues or topics that could come before the next legislature.
Peterson said it is still a toss up as to which party will control the Senate or the House.
Peterson said membership renewal continues to be good and that "finances look fine."
The directors also voted unanimously to hold the 2011 annual meeting in Bozeman.
The group then set Nov. 17 for the next board meeting to take place at the Best Bet in Helena.