Alcoholic beverages: lodging establishments.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act authorizes motels and hotels having an on-sale general license for restricted service lodging establishments, as described, to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises by specified means. This bill would extend that authorization to allow those motels and hotels having an on-sale general license for restricted service lodging establishments to sell beer and wine for consumption on the premises, where the beer or wine is sold in a food sale area, as defined, located within the lodging establishment. 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. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill 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.