BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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CONSENT
Bill No: SCR 45
Author: Corbett (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION COMM. : 13-0, 6/28/11
AYES: Wright, Anderson, Berryhill, Calderon, Cannella,
Corbett, De León, Evans, Hernandez, Padilla, Strickland,
Wyland, Yee
SUBJECT : Alcoholic beverage control
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution urges the Governor to make the
prevention of underage alcohol use a priority of the state
by engaging in a statewide effort to prevent and reduce
underage drinking and its consequences and ensuring that
California joins with the 41 other states that are active
in the Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free which is an
initiative to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages 9
to 15.
ANALYSIS : Existing law establishes the Department of
Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and grants it exclusive
authority to administer the provisions of the ABC Act in
accordance with laws enacted by the Legislature. This
involves licensing individuals and businesses associated
with the manufacture, importation and sale of alcoholic
beverages in this state and the collection of license fees
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or occupation taxes for this purpose.
Existing law states that every person who sells, furnishes,
gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any
alcoholic beverage to any person under the age of 21 years
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Existing law provides that except as provided by law, any
person who violates existing law by furnishing an alcoholic
beverage, or causing an alcoholic beverage to be furnished,
to a minor shall be punished by a fine of $1000, no part of
which shall be suspended, and the person shall be required
to perform not less than 24 hours of community service
during hours when the person is not employed and is not
attending school.
Existing law also provides for the Department of Alcohol
and Drug Programs which is responsible for administering
prevention, treatment, and recovery services for alcohol
and drug abuse and problem gambling.
This resolution urges the Governor to make the prevention
of underage alcohol use a priority of the state by engaging
in a statewide effort to prevent and reduce underage
drinking and its consequences and ensuring that California
joins with the 41 other states that are active in the
Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free which is an
initiative to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages 9
to 15.
Comments
The author's office points out that as a society, we must
continue to fight back the ill effects of underage drinking
because the lives of far too many young people are
negatively impacted by alcohol consumption. A sizeable
number of deaths and injuries are sustained each year due
to this practice. Yet, despite the clear consequences and
dangers posed by underage drinking, studies show that
minors throughout California are being exposed to alcohol
at much earlier ages. The author's office notes that
underage drinking costs Californians an estimated $8.1
billion annually. In 2007, underage drinkers consumed
nearly 14 percent of all alcohol sold in California,
totaling $3.6 billion in sales.
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The author's office also references the California State
Attorney General's "California Student Survey" which found
that 36 percent of 9th grade and nearly half (48 percent)
of 11th grade students report that alcohol is very easy to
obtain. The survey also discovered that teens who binge
drink (consume five or more drinks in a row within the past
30 days) constitute almost half of 9th graders who report
any drinking. Additionally, the survey found that by 11th
grade nearly two-thirds of the teens who drink report binge
drinking.
The Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Foundation is
a coalition of current and former Governors' spouses,
federal agencies, and public and private organizations on a
mission to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages 9 to
15. It is the only national effort that focuses on alcohol
use in this age group. It is also the oldest and largest
organization of Governors' spouses focused on a single
issue. Currently, 41 states and 75 percent of Governors'
spouses or their representatives are members. This
resolution encourages Governor Brown to ensure that
California is active in this coalition. Additionally, this
resolution encourages the Governor to make the prevention
of underage alcohol use a priority by engaging in a
statewide effort to prevent and reduce underage drinking.
Proponents of this resolution point out that more than 2.3
million underage youth drink alcohol each year in
California and approximately 5,000 young people under 21
years of age die each year as a result of underage
drinking. Additionally, proponents contend that about half
of high school students who drop out of school are involved
with alcohol or other drugs. Furthermore, according to
annual student surveys, three out every four 12th graders,
more than two-thirds of 10th graders and about two in every
five 8th graders have consumed alcohol and 8 of 10 high
school students say that they see schoolmates getting high
or drunk at school.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 6/28/11)
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California Beer and Beverage Distributors
California Council on Alcohol Problems
California Narcotic Officers' Association
California Police Chiefs Association
County Alcohol and Drug Program Administrators Association
of California
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
PQ:mw 6/28/11 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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