Alcoholic beverages: proof of age: military identification cards.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act makes it a misdemeanor for any person under the age of 21 years to purchase any alcoholic beverage or consume any alcoholic beverage in any on‑sale premises. The act also subjects a holder of a license to sell alcoholic beverages to criminal prosecution and suspension or revocation of that license if the licensee sells any alcoholic beverages to any person under the age of 21 years. Existing law provides that a licensee's acceptance of bona fide evidence, as defined, constitutes a defense to any action against the licensee. Existing law requires that evidence to contain a description of the person. Existing law includes a military identification card issued to a member of the Armed Forces as an eligible identification card so long as that card includes a description of the cardholder. Identification cards issued by the Armed Forces no longer contain a physical description of the cardholder. For security purposes, that information is electronically encrypted in order to avoid tampering with the card. Existing law authorizes the acceptance of a military identification card as bona fide evidence that a person is 21 years of age, provided that proof of majority is further substantiated with other identification, as specified. This bill would provide that, if the military identification card lacks a physical description, but does include date of birth and a photo, further proof of majority shall not be required. This bill would incorporate changes made by AB 1191 that would become operative if both bills are enacted and this bill is enacted after AB 1191.