BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 893
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Date of Hearing: April 15, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
893 (Mark Stone) - As Introduced February 26, 2015
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|Policy |Governmental Organization |Vote:|21 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill prohibits beer from being imported into or sold within
the state unless the label for that beer is first filed with the
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The bill
permits ABC to accept the filing of labels by any means it
determines are appropriate, including electronically, and
specifies that a violation of this requirement does not subject
the licensee to the civil or criminal provisions of the
Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 893
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Minor and absorbable costs to ABC.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, ABC has experienced a
dramatic increase in the number of beer label applications as
a result of rapid growth in the craft beer industry. AB 893
will help ABC streamline the label application process by
allowing brewers to submit labels electronically as they can
in several other states. The author contends this will enable
California's craft brewers in particular to update their
labels and bring new and seasonal products to market in a
timely manner.
2)Beer Labels. Existing law requires every manufacturer or
bottler whose beer is sold in California to file a label
approval application with ABC and include an original label of
each brand and size with the form. Currently, the forms must
be sent via mail or fax, and the labels themselves must be
originals. This bill permits ABC to accept electronic filings
of the forms and labels as well as promulgate rules and
regulations establishing the label information it deems
necessary.
Analysis Prepared by:Joel Tashjian / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
AB 893
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