BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



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          Date of Hearing:  August 19, 2015


                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS


                                 Jimmy Gomez, Chair


          SB 685  
          (McGuire) - As Amended August 17, 2015


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          Urgency:  No  State Mandated Local Program:  NoReimbursable:  No


          SUMMARY:


          This bill allows veterans' clubs that hold a veterans' club  
          alcoholic beverage license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages  
          to other veterans, members of other veterans' organizations,  
          active duty or reserve members of the military, and their bona  
          fide guests.  The bill specifies that non-members do not need to  
          sign any roster in order to be served.


          FISCAL EFFECT:


          Potential, though likely minor, increase in enforcement costs to  








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          the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).


          COMMENTS:


          1)Purpose.  According to the author, the current veterans' club  
            license was established during World War II to allow veterans'  
            organizations to serve alcohol to their members and guests.   
            ABC indicates there are around 315 veterans' club licensees in  
            the state.  This bill is intended to broaden the universe of  
            veterans who may be served alcoholic beverages on club  
            premises, increasing opportunities for fundraising to support  
            veterans' assistance programs.


          2)Sign Here for Beer?  Opponents argue the bill does not require  
            veterans' clubs to verify or record non-members who enter for  
            purposes of alcoholic consumption.  As a result, law  
            enforcement may be unable to identify whether a particular  
            individual was actually a veteran, member of the military, or  
            bona fide guest, or was simply a private individual.   
            Opponents believe a sign-in sheet or roster should be required  
            as a condition for non-members purchasing or consuming alcohol  
            at the clubs.








          Analysis Prepared by:Joel Tashjian / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081












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