AB 2203, 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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 25202 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:
(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.
(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.
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.
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