Alcoholic beverage control: distilled spirits: licensure.

Existing law, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which is administered by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, regulates the application, issuance, and suspension of alcoholic beverage licenses. Existing law prohibits the issuance of a distilled spirits license, except a distilled spirits manufacturer's, a craft distiller's, or a distilled spirits manufacturer's agent's license, to any person, or to any officer, director, employee, or agent of a person, that manufactures distilled spirits within or without this state. Existing law prohibits a person that holds any ownership or interest, as specified, in a craft distiller's license, distilled spirits wholesaler's license, rectifier's license, or retailer's license from also holding a distilled spirits manufacturer's license or a distilled spirits manufacturer's agent's license. Notwithstanding the prohibitions described in the above paragraph, this bill would authorize a person that manufactures or produces distilled spirits within or without California to hold a distilled spirits importer or wholesaler's license if they meet prescribed requirements, including that the person be a manufacturer of beer with at least 2 manufacturing locations. The bill would authorize a person holding a distilled spirits importer or wholesaler's license under these provisions to import and distribute distilled spirits products only if those products meet specified requirements, and would also make technical and conforming changes.