BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1014 Page 1 CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS AB 1014 (Fletcher and Chesbro) As Amended June 15, 2011 Majority vote ----------------------------------------------------------------- |ASSEMBLY: |70-0 |(May 12, 2011) |SENATE: |33-0 |(July 1, 2011) | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Original Committee Reference: HEALTH SUMMARY : Exempts premises set aside for the purposes of beer tasting, regardless of whether there is a charge for the tasting, from the definition of a food facility subject to the California Retail Food Code (CRFC), if beer and prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous beverages are the only beverages offered for sale for onsite consumption and crackers or pretzels are the only food served. The Senate amendments make a minor technical change. EXISTING LAW : 1)Establishes the CRFC to govern all aspects of retail food safety and sanitation in California and makes local environmental health departments primarily responsible for enforcing CRFC through local food safety inspection programs. 2)Exempts premises set aside for wine tasting from regulation under the CRFC if no other beverage, except for bottles of wine and prepackaged nonpotentially hazardous beverages, is sold for onsite consumption and no food, except for crackers, is served. AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar to the version passed by the Senate. FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs. COMMENTS : According to the author, this bill is intended to provide regulatory relief to small craft beer brewers who must currently make substantial financial commitments to install serving facilities that are on par with the health and sanitation standards for retail food facilities under the CRFC. AB 1014 Page 2 The author asserts that craft brewers simply seek to provide small tasting rooms where samples of their craft beers can be tasted, enjoyed, and promoted; therefore, they should not be subject to the more stringent standards in the CRFC that are appropriately applicable to restaurants and other food establishments that handle and prepare food on site. The author argues that this bill will extend the current exemption from CRFC regulation afforded to wine tasting rooms to beer tasting rooms and promote the growth of California's craft brewing industry. Analysis Prepared by : Cassie Royce / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097 FN: 0001389