SB 155

Current law authorizes municipalities to issue temporary "Class B" licenses to

certain clubs, fair associations, agricultural societies, churches, veterans

organizations, lodges, and societies that authorize the retail sale of wine (including

cider) at fairs, meetings, picnics, and similar gatherings hosted by these

organizations. A municipality may not issue to one of these organizations more than

two temporary "Class B" licenses in any 12-month period. A temporary "Class B"

license authorizes the retail sale of wine by the glass or in an original package,

container, or bottle. A license issued to a fair association licenses the entire

fairgrounds where the fair is being conducted and all persons engaged in retail sales

of wine from leased stands on the fairgrounds.

Current law generally prohibits a winery holding a winery permit from having

a direct or indirect interest in a "Class B" retail license or establishment. However,

a winery may hold one "Class B" retail license, authorizing the sale of wine only,

issued for the winery premises or for real estate owned or leased by the winery.

This bill authorizes a winery to make retail sales and provide taste samples of

wine on fairgrounds, under the "Class B" license issued to the fair association, if the

wine is purchased from a wholesaler. Under the bill, if a fair leases a stand to a

winery, the winery may make retail sales of wine from the leased stand and may

provide taste samples anywhere on the fairgrounds of wine manufactured by the

winery.

Also, under current law, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer

Protection (DATCP) distributes aid to county fairs and certain other fairs. One

condition for receiving this aid is that intoxicating beverages, except for malt

beverages, be excluded from the fairgrounds.

This bill changes the condition relating to beverages at fairs so that DATCP

may distribute aid to an otherwise eligible fair at which wine is available.