§45-1-20. Licensing and regulation; violations.

(a) Each local government entity within Autauga County, whether it be a municipality or the county commission, shall have the right and authority to suspend or revoke any license issued for the sale of alcoholic beverages which the local governmental entity approved for issuances to any hotel, restaurant, or club for any reason which the local governmental entity may deem sufficient and proper. This power to suspend or revoke such license shall be subject to the review of the State of Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

(b) Each local governmental entity in Autauga County, whether it be a municipal governing body or the county commission, may promulgate and implement rules and regulations for controlling the liquor traffic within the jurisdiction of the local governmental entity, by allowing or prohibiting nudity, topless dancing, or any other type of similar live entertainment on the premises of a business which serves or sells alcoholic beverages or allows the public to consume alcoholic beverages on the premises. The rules and regulations shall be adopted by a majority vote of the governing body of the local governmental entity and the action shall be spread upon the minutes of a regular meeting of the governing body. The unincorporated areas of the county shall be subject only to the rules and regulations adopted by the county commission.

(c) When a local governmental entity deems that a rule or regulation adopted under this section has been violated, it may suspend or revoke the business license of the violator until the violator is deemed by the governmental entity to be in compliance with the rule or regulation. An alleged violation of a rule or regulation shall be afforded due process at a hearing before the governing body of the appropriate local governmental entity before a license is suspended or revoked. The appropriate governing body shall prescribe procedural rules for the hearing. Any appeal of a suspension or revocation of a license under this section shall lie directly to the circuit court of the county.

(d) If a business continues or attempts to continue to operate after a license of the business has been suspended or revoked under this section or in violation of any rule or regulation of a local governmental entity, the proprietor of the business shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as prescribed by law.

(e) When a local governmental entity deems that a rule or regulation adopted by the governing body of the entity has been violated, it may commence a civil action in the name of the local governmental entity in the Circuit Court of Autauga County to enjoin the activity which may be in violation of the rule or regulation. In any civil action brought pursuant to this subsection, the circuit court of the county may assess all costs of enjoining the action, including attorney fees, court costs, and all other expenses of litigation against the proprietor of a business found to be in violation of the rule or regulation.

(Act 79-249, p. 379, §1; Act 79-488, p. 902, §1; Act 98-230, p. 379, §1.)