Alcoholic beverages: craft distilleries.
The bill's primary impact resides in clarifying the designation of the Craft Distillers Act within the Business and Professions Code, thereby ensuring continued regulation and support for the craft distilling industry within California. This clarity may enhance the operation of craft distilleries, which have been growing in popularity and economic importance, particularly as consumer interest in localized and artisan products increases.
Senate Bill 587, introduced by Senator Borgeas, seeks to amend Section 23500 of the Business and Professions Code, specifically relating to the Craft Distillers Act of 2015. This existing legislation allows the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue licenses for the manufacturing of distilled spirits by craft distilleries. The proposed bill aims to make a nonsubstantive change in the provisions naming the act, which reflects minor adjustments without altering the current functionality of the law.
There are limited points of contention surrounding SB 587 given its nonsubstantive nature. However, stakeholders within the alcoholic beverage industry could perceive variations in interpretation or implementation as critical. The success of the Craft Distillers Act has seen diverse support, from tourism benefits to economic incentives, and any change—even deemed minor—might raise scrutiny among industry advocates and those concerned with regulatory oversight.