Craft distillers: direct shipping.

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 establishes specified types of alcoholic beverage licenses and prescribes the rights and duties of the respective licensees. Existing law prohibits a person without the appropriate license from exercising a privilege or performing any act for which the license is required, and a violation of this prohibition is a misdemeanor or a felony, as specified. Existing law authorizes a licensed craft distiller to manufacture and produce distilled spirits, subject to specified conditions, including that the licensee manufacture no more than 150,000 gallons of distilled spirits per fiscal year and sell no more than 2.25 liters of prepackaged containers of the licensee's spirits per day per consumer. This bill would additionally authorize a licensed craft distiller to sell and ship distilled spirits directly to a California resident, who is at least 21 years of age, for the resident's personal use and not for resale, under specific conditions. This bill would also authorize a person currently licensed in another state as a craft distiller, or licensed in a similar manner, that obtains a distilled spirits direct shipper permit to sell and ship distilled spirits directly to a California resident, who is at least 21 years of age, for the resident's personal use and not for resale, under similar conditions. The bill would make a knowing violation of these provisions a misdemeanor. The bill would establish a new license type for a distilled spirits direct shipper permit (Type 89) and would set an application fee of $100 and an annual renewal fee of $25. By expanding the scope of an existing crime and creating a new crime, this bill 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.