AB 2359

Bill Subjects

Abstract

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, administered by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, regulates the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages and the granting of licenses for the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages within the state. The act also provides for a limitation on the amount of on-sale general licenses that may be issued by the department based on the population of the county in which the licensed premises are located, as provided. Existing law provides an exception to the license limitation for a county of the 6th class, as specified, for up to 5 new original neighborhood-restricted special on-sale general licenses for premises located within specified census tracts in that county until a total of 30 new licenses are issued. Existing law limits the total number of these licenses that may be concurrently held in each specified neighborhood. This bill would increase the total number of new licenses authorized under this provision from 30 to 40 and would increase, for 2 of the specified neighborhoods, the total authorized number of licenses for each neighborhood from 5 to 10 licenses. The bill would update certain census tract numbers to reflect splits made to those tracts in the 2020 Census and would additionally authorize the issuance of a license for a premises located in census tract 352020. Existing law requires an applicant for a neighborhood-restricted special on-sale general license to conduct a preapplication meeting with neighbors and members of the community, as specified, before submitting an application for a license. This bill would delete the preapplication meeting requirement. Existing law prohibits the holder of a neighborhood-restricted special on-sale general license from exercising the rights and privileges granted by an off-sale beer and wine license. This bill, commencing January 1, 2025, would instead authorize the exercise of specified off-sale privileges. The bill would prohibit the holder of a neighborhood-restricted special on-sale general license that was issued before January 1, 2025, from exercising those off-sale privileges unless the department approves a petition by the licensee, as specified. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the City and County of San Francisco.