AB 2615: Alcoholic beverages: COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorization: airside terminal space.

Existing law, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, is administered by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and regulates application, issuance, and suspension of alcoholic beverage licenses within the state. Existing law, until July 1, 2026, authorizes the department to permit licensees to exercise license privileges in an expanded license area authorized pursuant to a COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorization, as specified. Existing law includes duplicative provisions relating to COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorizations.

This bill would authorize an on-sale licensee located in an airport terminal to, under a COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorization, sell alcoholic beverages for on-sale consumption in an expanded license area that includes the airside terminal space if certain requirements are complied with. Those requirements include, among others, the licensee receiving written approval from the airport operator, serving the alcoholic beverages in distinguishable and labeled containers, selling no more than 2 containers to each customer per transaction, and posting appropriate signage regarding open container laws, as specified. The bill would make all licensees holding a COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorization within a shared common licensed area jointly liable for compliance with laws that may subject their license to discipline in that shared common licensed area. The above-described provisions of the bill would be repealed on July 1, 2026. The bill would repeal the duplicative COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorization provisions.