Alcoholic beverages: 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 specified licensees, or any authorized agent of those persons to provide, free of charge, entertainment, food, and distilled spirits, wine, or nonalcoholic beverages to a limited number of consumers over 21 years of age at an invitation-only event, held on specified premises, in connection with the sale or distribution of wine or distilled spirits, as provided. Existing law authorizes the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to impose a fee of up to $200 on licensees conducting events pursuant to the above-described authorization, as provided. This bill would authorize the holding of these events on the premises of a hotel, as defined, would include in the authorization out-of-state distilled spirits shipper's certificate holders, would expand the number of consumers that may attend these events, would revise the conditions under which the event may be held, would establish the fee at $200, would revise requirements for providing the department with information regarding these events, and would extend the repeal date for these provisions until January 1, 2018. 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.