Ivey Signs 'Game-Changer' Service Industry Bill From West Alabama

MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday signed into law a bill with deep west Alabama connections that will lower the minimum age of alcohol servers in restaurants from 19 to 18.

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The measure will go into effect July 1.

The concept is the brainchild of Jheovanny Gomez, a popular and involved businessman in Tuscaloosa County and an Alabama Retail Association board member who owns Jalapeños Mexican Grill.

As Patch previously reported, Gomez brought the idea to State Rep. Kyle South after testifying in the legislature that the bill would be beneficial not just for his business, but the Alabama hospitality and service industries as a whole.

"This bill is a game-changer for the hospitality industry," Gomez told Patch on Thursday. "It allows us to reach a bigger pool of employees, but more importantly, allows me to retain these 18 year olds that would love to stay with me and make more money in a bigger and better position."

South, a Republican from Fayette, sponsored the bill and spoke to Patch about its merits, which comes at a time when businesses not just in Alabama, but nationwide, are struggling to fill open positions to meet demand.

"This bill was one example of cutting red-tape and regulation in order to provide additional workforce resources in an industry that has been decimated over the past two-plus years," South said.

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