Beer manufacturers: free or discounted rides.

Existing law, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, regulates the application, issuance, and suspension of alcoholic beverage licenses by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The act prohibits any licensee from giving a premium, gift, or free goods in connection with the sale and distribution of any alcoholic beverage, except as provided. Existing law, until January 1, 2018, authorizes a manufacturer of distilled spirits, distilled spirits manufacturer's agent, out-of-state distilled spirits shipper's certificate holder, winegrower, rectifier, or distiller, or its authorized unlicensed agent, to provide free ground transportation home, as described, to consumers at an invitation-only event in connection with the sale or distribution of wine or distilled spirits. Unless otherwise specified, a violation of the act is a misdemeanor. This bill would authorize a beer manufacturer, as defined, to provide consumers free or discounted rides, as described, for the purpose of furthering public safety. The bill would prohibit conditioning a free or discounted ride, or the provision of a voucher, code, or other method of delivery, upon the purchase of an alcoholic beverage. The bill would prohibit a beer and wine wholesaler from directly or indirectly underwriting, sharing in, or contributing to, the costs of free or discounted rides or from serving as an agent of a beer manufacturer to provide free or discounted rides to consumers. The bill, by expanding the scope 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.