Alcoholic beverages: coupons: beer.

(1) The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act prohibits any licensee from giving any premium, gift, or free goods in connection with the sale or distribution of any alcoholic beverage, except as specifically authorized. The act provides that a violation of any of its provisions for which another penalty or punishment is not specifically provided is a misdemeanor. This bill would prohibit a beer manufacturer or a beer wholesaler from offering, funding, producing, sponsoring, promoting, furnishing, or redeeming any type of coupon. The bill would also prohibit a licensee authorized to sell alcoholic beverages at retail from accepting, redeeming, possessing, or utilizing any type of coupon that is funded, produced, sponsored, promoted, or furnished by a beer manufacturer or beer wholesaler. The bill would define beer manufacturer and coupon for these purposes and would except from the definition of coupon certain rebates, coupons, and discounts. By expanding the definition of a crime by imposing additional duties on a licensee under the act, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) 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.