– February, 2016
TO: Alcohol Beverage Industry
FROM: Michael T. McManus, Alcohol Enforcement Administrator
TOPIC: About A.G.E.D
The Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division (AGED) was formed to protect and serve the public through uniform interpretation, regulation, and enforcement of the state’s liquor and gambling laws and rules. Our goal is to maintain stability and integrity in the alcoholic beverage and gaming industries through the management of licensing, education, regulation, and enforcement.
To accomplish this goal, AGED employs 17 full-time employees. Three alcohol field agents and the alcohol program administrator work to perform inspections and maintain compliance within the alcohol industry, while five office staff annually process 25,000 alcohol licenses and 50,000 brand label registrations. Remaining staff provide enforcement and regulation of gambling and assist in alcohol enforcement and regulation as needed.
AGED is the issuing authority primarily for licenses in the manufacture, import and wholesale distribution tiers. While AGED does issue some retail licenses most are issued by local jurisdictions, and then approved by AGED. In addition AGED issues retail identification cards to retailers so that they may make purchases from distributors.
While you can view all of AGEDs goals in our strategic plan (link to our website and plan) the following goals are important and specific to our partners in the alcohol industry:
Goal: Deliver dedicated regulation and enforcement of alcohol laws and licenses to ensure public safety and integrity in the alcoholic beverage industry
In recent years, certain license types created by statute have begun to infringe on the three tier system. New retail businesses emerged to compete with current retailers. These businesses and the current surge of innovation in alcohol products push the boundaries and present challenges, but our mission is still to protect the public and maintain industry integrity.
Goal: Provide education and services to our customers, and increase visibility and assistance to local municipalities
As alcohol regulations become more complex, requests for subject-matter expertise increases. Citizens, industry members, attorneys, prospective clients, government officials, and others routinely call AGED for interpretation and clarification of rules and regulations. AGED has a current goal to reach out to all of the various industry and government groups to offer training to promote the agency mission.
Goal: Focus on improving our technology and data management
AGED has recently added a new online brand label registration system that we hope in the future will also process retail identification cards and other license types. In addition we continue to work with MN.IT, the states IT division, to develop an electronic licensing system to allow online applications and payments. This will make applications easier, reduce processing time, speed up licensing for applicants, provide more complete and current information on licenses and expand public database search capabilities.
The functions performed by the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division are not redundant or duplicative but rather a collaborative effort with other agencies or units of government. The division is a unique agency that combines regulation and enforcement services for two of Minnesota’s most highly regulated industries. Despite a declining number of staff, the agency continues to strive to provide prompt and courteous service. A consistent focus continues to be to maintain the integrity of both industries and to protect the citizens of Minnesota.