Alcoholic beverages: schedule of licenses and fees: transmittal.
The proposed changes extend the obligation of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to report its adjusted fee schedules not only to the Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee but also to the Chairpersons of both the Assembly and Senate Committees on Governmental Organization. The revised timeline for fee transmission is also amended, with the department required to send the adjusted fee list by the end of January instead of January 10. This is expected to ensure that legislative committees have adequate time to review the adjustments in advance of their implementation.
Assembly Bill 456, introduced by Assembly Member Daly, aims to amend Section 23320 of the Business and Professions Code concerning the regulation of alcoholic beverages in California. The bill modifies the existing framework that governs the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages by allowing the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to adjust license fees based on certain criteria. Additionally, it mandates the department to transmit the adjusted fee list to more legislative bodies than previously required, thereby enhancing transparency and communication regarding fee changes.
While support for the bill may come from stakeholders who favor clearer communication and streamlined processes within state regulatory mechanisms, there could be contention related to concerns about the sufficiency and appropriateness of fee increases. Opponents of similar regulatory changes might argue that increased fees could disproportionately affect smaller businesses and limit market access for new entrants to the alcohol distribution space. Furthermore, discussions around fiscal impacts and the necessity of fee adjustments could emerge as points of debate among legislators.