Alcoholic beverage control: restaurants and bars: license fees: refund.

Existing law, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, administered by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, regulates the application, issuance, and suspension of licenses for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages. Existing law provides for the issuance of licenses for which various fees, including renewal fees, are charged depending upon the type of license issued. This bill would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department to refund new permanent license fees and license renewal fees for specified license types. The bill would limit the refund to licenses that were active for any period between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021. The bill would authorize a licensee to request a refund in the manner provided by the department and would require the licensee to certify, under penalty of perjury, that they qualify for the refund. The bill would require the department to establish and publish on its internet website the requirements and guidelines for submitting a license fee refund request and the manner of certification, and would exempt these requirements, guidelines and the manner of certification for refunds from the Administrative Procedure Act. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would also make findings and declarations related to a gift of public funds. 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.