Oregon Liquor Control Commission

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The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is an agency of the U.S. state of Oregon. The OLCC was created by an act of the Oregon Legislative Assembly in 1933 as a means of providing control over the distribution, sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages. To this end, the agency was given the authority to regulate and license those who manufacture, sell or serve alcohol. Oregon is one of 18 states that directly control the sales of alcohol beverages in the U.S.

A five-member board of commissioners meets monthly to set OLCC policy and make decisions in areas such as liquor licenses, rules, contested case hearings and appointments of liquor store agents. The governor appoints and the Senate confirms these commissioners for four-year terms. Each commissioner represents a congressional district and one also represents the restaurant and hospitality industry.

OLCC has three program areas:

  • Regulatory Operations issues liquor licenses and alcohol service permits. Licenses are required for anyone who manufactures, distributes or sells alcoholic beverages in Oregon. Service permits are issued to employees who serve alcohol in restaurants, bars, or other businesses. Regulatory Operations also promotes compliance with liquor laws through education and proactive programs for licensees and permittees. This program also focuses on enforcement efforts geared toward reducing underage drinking.
  • Merchandising Operations has three divisions: Purchasing, Distribution, and Store Operations. The Merchandising Program operates the state’s retail liquor business, including supplying the State's 293 (as of January 2004) authorized liquor stores. It sells Oregonians the distilled beverages they want, while operating a business that is one of the top revenue producers for the state, due to the high prices charged by the OLCC. In fiscal year 2004, the OLCC contributed more than $119 million to Oregon’s general fund and county and city treasuries from the sales of distilled spirits, taxes on beer and wine and other revenue.
  • Support Services consists of three divisions: Administration, Administrative Services, and Financial Services. The program provides support and administrative services for OLCC staff and numerous partners.

On April 27, 2006, Teresa Kaiser, director of the Commission, resigned after being charged with driving with a blood alcohol content of .16, twice the legal limit in Oregon. [1]

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Alcoholic beverage authorities of the United States
Federal authorities: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Defunct: Federal Alcohol Administration
State authorities: Alabama*: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board | Alaska: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board | Arizona: Department of Liquor Licenses and Control | Arkansas: Alcoholic Beverage Control Division | California: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Colorado: Liquor Enforcement Division | Connecticut: Liquor Division | Delaware: Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission | Florida: Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco | Georgia: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Unit | Idaho*: Alcoholic Beverage Control and Idaho State Liquor Dispensary | Illinois: Liquor Control Commission | Indiana: Alcoholic and Tobacco Commission | Iowa*: Alcoholic Beverages Division | Kansas: Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Kentucky: Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Louisiana: Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control | Maine*: Bureau of Liquor Enforcement | Maryland: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau | Massachusetts: Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission | Michigan*: Liquor Control Commission | Minnesota: Liquor Control Division | Mississippi*: Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Missouri: Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control | Montana*: Liquor Licensing | Nebraska: Liquor Control Commission | Nevada: Department of Taxation | New Hampshire*: Liquor Commission | New Jersey: Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control | New Mexico: Alcohol and Gaming Division | New York: Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, State Liquor Authority | North Carolina*: Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission | North Dakota: Alcohol Beverage Control | Ohio*: Division of Liquor Control | Oklahoma: Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission | Oregon*: Liquor Control Commission | Pennsylvania*: Liquor Control Board | Rhode Island: Liquor Control Administration | South Carolina: Alcoholic Beverage Licensing | South Dakota: Special Tax Division | Tennessee: Department of Revenue | Texas: Alcoholic Beverage Commission | Utah*: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Vermont*: Department of Liquor Control | Virginia*: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control | Washington*: Liquor Control Board | West Virginia: Alcohol Beverage Control Administration | Wisconsin: Department of Tax and Revenue | Wyoming: Department of Revenue
Territorial authorities: District of Columbia: Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
Local authorities: Hawaii County, Hawaii: Office of Liquor Control | City and County of Honolulu: Liquor Commission | Kauai County, Hawaii: Department of Liquor Control | Maui County, Hawaii: Department of Liquor Control | Montgomery County, Maryland*: Department of Liquor Control

An * indicates an alcoholic beverage control state or county.