Alcoholic beverage control: licensees.

Existing provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act generally prohibit manufacturers, winegrowers, bottlers, importers, wholesalers, and others from performing certain activities, with specified exceptions. Existing law, until January 1, 2014, permits a manufacturer of distilled spirits, winegrower, rectifier, or distiller, or any authorized agent of that person to provide, free of charge, entertainment, food, and distilled spirits, wine, or nonalcoholic beverages to consumers over 21 years of age at an invitation-only event in connection with the sale or distribution of wine or distilled spirits, as specified. This bill would additionally permit a distilled spirits manufacturer's agent, holder of a distilled spirits importer's general license who does not also hold a distilled spirits wholesaler's license, holder of a distilled spirits rectifier's general license, or a holder of an out-of-state distilled spirits shipper's certificate, or any authorized agent of that licenseholder, to provide entertainment, food, and distilled spirits, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages at an event described above. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act provides that a violation of specified provisions of the act is punishable as a misdemeanor. This bill, by expanding the definition of an existing crime, 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.