BILL NUMBER: AB 2203	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chesbro

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2014

   An act to amend Section 25202 of the Business and Professions
Code, relating to alcoholic beverages.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2203, as introduced, Chesbro. Alcoholic beverages: beer
labeling.
   The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act provides for specified labeling
requirements for containers of alcoholic beverages sold within this
state, and prohibits the obliteration, mutilation, or marking out of
a manufacturer's name on returnable beer containers or cartons made
of wood or fiber board, as specified. A violation of the act is a
misdemeanor.
   This bill would additionally prohibit the obliteration,
mutilation, or marking out of a manufacturer's name on metal kegs, as
specified. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the 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.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 25202 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
   25202.   (a)    Manufacturers' names, brand
names, print, or markings first placed on returnable beer containers
 , metal kegs,  or cartons made of wood or fiber board shall
not be obliterated, mutilated, or marked out without the written
consent of the manufacturer whose name, brand, or printed markings is
to be obliterated, mutilated, or marked out.  This 

    (b)     This  section does not apply
to  metal kegs or  wood or fiber board containers or cartons
of a beer manufacturer who has discontinued business and production
and is no longer a licensed beer manufacturer.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.