Alcoholic beverage control: tied-house restrictions: instructional events: beer.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act authorizes any person holding a manufacturer's agent's, rectifier's, importer's, or wholesaler's license to give away samples of the alcoholic beverages that are authorized to be sold under that license. Existing law provides that a retail license does not authorize the furnishing or giving away of any free samples of alcoholic beverages. Existing law permits beer manufacturers, holders of a beer and wine importer's general license, and licensed beer and wine wholesalers to instruct consumers regarding beer, respectively. This bill would additionally allow a licensed beer manufacturer and a holder of a beer and wine importer's general license, or any director, partner, officer, agent, or representative of that person, to conduct an instructional event held at an on-sale retail licensee's premises featuring beer, subject to specified conditions. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act provides that a violation of any of its provisions for which another penalty or punishment is not specifically provided is a misdemeanor. This bill, by including provisions that, if violated, would result in a misdemeanor, would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.