California Legislative Activity

Alcohol Justice monitors California legislative activity for alcohol-related items, including bills and budget proposals. When the California Legislature is in session, this information is updated every 2-3 weeks. For the most up-to-the-moment information on specific bills, please consult the official California State Legislature page.

To read our 2012 report on the alcohol industry's success in tearing down California alcohol regulations, click here.

California Legislative Update: May 13, 2013

Senate Bill 818
Summary: Makes a range of technical changes including: Revises the limitation on the amount of consideration that may accompany an intercounty transfer to no more than the fee for the original on-sale or off-sale license; prohibits an off-sale licensee from making orders in any electronic means other than by telephone; and, expands existing crimes by imposing additional duties on a licensee under the ABC law.
Sponsor(s): Committee on Governmental Organization
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Support – Stronger restrictions on transferring licenses and penalties can help reduce alcohol-related harm.

Assembly Bill 779
Summary: Allows beer manufacturers that produce more than 60,000 barrels of beer a year may manufacture cider or perry at the licensed premises of production and may sell cider or perry to any licensee authorized to sell wine.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Weakens the licensing system by allowing manufacturers to produce additional beverage types under a single license type.

Assembly Bill 1424
Summary: Permits a winegrower, beer manufacturer, or a beer and wine wholesaler to instruct licensees and their employees on the composition of beer or wine in addition to, but not limited to, the history, nature, values, and characteristics of those beverages, as is already permitted.
Sponsor(s): Committee on Governmental Organization
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Promotion of alcohol industry gives appearance that the Legislature is placing business interests before public health.

Assembly Bill 1425
Summary: Requires the ABC to post its annual report on its Internet website.
Sponsor(s): Committee on Governmental Organization
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Support – Increased transparency is valuable to the public health community as it offers the opportunity to provide additional oversight and opportunity to comment on the regulatory process.

Senate Bill 31
Summary: Removes restrictions on alcohol advertising at arenas on public property over certain capacities.
Sponsor(s): Senator Padilla (D-San Fernando Valley)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Reducing exposure to alcohol advertising positively impacts public health.

Assembly Bill 473
Summary: Establishes the Division of Medical Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement within the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco)
Location: Assembly Public Safety Committee
AJ Position: Oppose – ABC resources need to be dedicated to the regulation of alcohol.

House Resolution (HR) 9
Summary: Provides that the Assembly recognizes the contribution of California's living historic vineyards to the agricultural and social heritage of the state as well as to the enjoyment of wine enthusiasts throughout California and the world.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Tom Daly (D-Anaheim)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Promotion of alcohol industry gives appearance that the Legislature is placing business interests before public health.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 15 - PASSED
Summary: Proclaims April 2013 as the “California Wines: Down to Earth” month, to celebrate the sustainable leadership of California wineries and winegrape growers.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Chesbro (D-Eureka)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Promotion of alcohol industry gives appearance that the Legislature is placing business interests before public health.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 24
Summary: Proclaims the month of May 2013 as California Beer Distributor Month.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Nestande (R-Hemet)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Promotion of alcohol industry gives appearance that the Legislature is placing business interests before public health.

Senate Bill 120
Summary: Reduces the distance around La Sierra College in the City of Riverside where the sale alcoholic beverages are restricted from one-mile to one-half mile.
Sponsor(s): Senator Roth (D-Riverside)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Increasing availability of alcoholic beverages is associated with an increase in alcohol related harm.

Senate Bill 324
Summary: Expands exceptions to existing law to allow beer manufacturers, winegrowers, distilled spirits rectifiers, distilled spirits manufacturers, or distilled spirits manufacturer's agents to purchase advertising space and time from, or on behalf of, on-sale retail licensees at specified facilities located in the City of Inglewood.
Sponsor(s): Senator Roderick Wright (D-Inglewood)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Weakens the distinction between the tiers of alcohol distribution. Increased exposure to the promotion of alcoholic beverages is associated with an increase in alcohol related harm.

Assembly Bill 461
Summary: Provides that in San Luis Obispo the ABC may issue no more than 5 additional new original on-sale general licenses for bona fide public eating places per year until January 1, 2016.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Katcho Achadjian (R-San Luis Obispo)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Increased availability of alcoholic beverages is correlated with an increase in alcohol related harm.

Assembly Bill 520
Summary: Replaces the term "rest homes" with "senior care facilities." Existing law authorizes a special beer and wine license for hospitals, convalescent homes, and rest homes that permits the sale or service of beer and wine purchased from a licensed winegrower or beer and wine wholesaler only to patients or residents of those facilities.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro (D-Mendecino)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Increased availability of alcoholic beverages is correlated with an increase in alcohol related harm.

Assembly Bill 525
Summary: Authorizes the ABC to issue a special on-sale general license for operators of any for-profit theater in San Francisco that is configured with theatrical seating and primarily devoted to live theatrical performances. The license is to permit sales, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the lobbies and seating areas of the theater.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Philip Ting (D-San Francisco)
Location: Assembly Governmental Organization Committee
AJ Position: Oppose – Increased availability of alcoholic beverages is correlated with an increase in alcohol related harm.

Assembly Bill 593
Summary: Requires the ABC to evaluate its onsite license review process for restaurants in order to implement a more expedited licensing process.
Additionally it requires that the ABC issue decisions within 120 days of a hearing.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward)
Location: Assembly Governmental Organization Committee
AJ Position: Oppose – Strong regulation of alcohol licensing is central to protecting public health.

Senate Bill 635 - DEFEATED
Summary: Allows the local governing body of a county or a city to apply to the ABC to authorize the sale or purchasing of alcoholic beverages at an on-sale licensed premises between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Sponsor(s): Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco)
Location: Senate - Failed in Committee. Recondsideration Granted (4/23/13)
AJ Position: Oppose – Increased availability of alcoholic beverages is associated with an increase in alcohol related harm.

Assembly Bill 636
Summary: Permits until January 1, 2015, the appearance of a person for the purpose of providing autographs at an instructional event for consumers that a winegrower, California winegrower's agent, importer, or other specified parties conduct, or participate in, that is held at a retailer's premises.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Isadore Hall, III (D-Compton)
Location: Senate
AJ Position: Oppose – Increased exposure to the promotion of alcoholic beverages is associated with an increase in alcohol related harm.

Assembly Bill 782
Summary: Permits wholesalers or manufacturers to accept the return of unsold and unopened beer from organizations with caterer or event permits. Existing law authorizes a wholesaler or manufacturer to accept returns of beer from a seasonal or temporary licensee or an annual licensee operating on a temporary basis and only if the beer is returned in exchange for the identical quantity and brand of beer.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Raul Bocanegra (D-Sylmar)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – May enable overservice of alcohol at special events if temporary operators can order more alcohol than they will need at given event.

Assembly Bill 816
Summary: Removes the existing prohibition against a manufacturer or wholesaler listing the contact information of 2 or more unaffiliated off-sale alcohol retailers. Presently listing this information constitutes a thing of value and is prohibited with the exception of on-sale alcohol retailers.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Isadore Hall, III (D-Compton)
Location: Senate
AJ Position: Oppose – Weakens the distinction between the tiers of alcohol distribution.

Assembly Bill 933
Summary: Authorizes distilled spirits manufacturers to charge consumers for tastings and permits manufacturers to display information about two or more unaffiliated off-sale retailers selling their products.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Members Nancy Skinner (D-Richmond) and Isadore Hall, III (D-Compton)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Weakens the distinction between the tiers of alcohol distribution.

Assembly Bill 949
Summary: Authorizes distilled spirits manufacturers to charge consumers for tastings and to sell food, general merchandise, and nonalcoholic beverages for consumption on or off the premises.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Bill Quirk (D-Hayward)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Weakens the distinction between the tiers of alcohol distribution and increases availability of alcoholic beverages.

Assembly Bill 1116
Summary: Expands the law to allow manufacturers and wholesalers to provide, free of charge, entertainment, food, and distilled spirits, wine, or nonalcoholic beverages to a limited number of consumers over 21 years of age at an invitation-only event, held on specified premises (including hotels), in connection with the sale or distribution of wine or distilled spirits. Existing law restricts location, number of persons that may be admitted and is only valid until January 1, 2014.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Isadore Hall, III (D-Compton)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Oppose – Increases the availability of alcoholic beverages and weakens the distinction between the tiers of alcohol distribution.

Assembly Bill 1128
Summary: Provides that selling any alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age is punishable as a misdemeanor or felony. A felony prosecution may only apply when the seller knew the person was under 21. Presently any person who purchases any alcoholic beverage for, or furnishes, gives, or gives away any alcoholic beverage to, a person under 21 years of age who thereafter consumes the alcohol and then causes great bodily injury or death to himself, herself, or any other person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 and community service.
Sponsor(s): Assembly Member Rudy Salas, Jr. (D-Hanford)
Location: Assembly
AJ Position: Support – Stronger penalties can help reduce the incidence of adults furnishing alcohol to minors.

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