Alcoholic beverages: instructional tasting events.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act contains various provisions regulating the application for, the issuance of, the suspension of, and the conditions imposed upon, alcoholic beverage licenses by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Existing law provides for various annual fees for the issuance of alcoholic beverage licenses depending upon the type of license issued. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act provides that a violation of its provisions is a misdemeanor, unless otherwise specified. This bill would authorize the department to issue to the holder of any off-sale retail license an instructional tasting license that would allow the licenseholder to allow an authorized licensee, as defined, or designated representative of that licensee, to conduct, on a designated portion of, or contiguous to, an existing licensed premises, an instructional tasting event at which tastes of alcoholic beverages may be served to consumers, as provided. The bill would impose an original fee of $300 and an annual renewal fee of $261 for the license, which would be deposited in the Alcohol Beverage Control Fund. Because the violation of a specified provision of the instructional tasting license by a licensee or by a person under 21 years of age is punishable as a misdemeanor, the bill both creates a new crime and expands the definition of an existing crime, thereby creating 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.