The Year of the Black Water Dragon is upon us!
Let’s take a gander at the new liquor laws “the gub’mint” has coiled around the populace.
Two from the DMV:
“Driving Under the Influence (AB 1601/Hill) Effective in January 1, 2012, this bill authorizes a court to order a 10-year revocation of the driver license of a person convicted of a third or subsequent DUI violation, with possible reinstatement after five years if specified conditions are met.”
It doesn’t list what those conditions are, but do you want to find out? Previously you could lose your license for three years if you had thrice been convicted of DUI. Now it’s a decade. That’s a LONG time to be without driving here in Los Angeles. Don’t drink and drive.
Sobriety checkpoints (impound) – This law disallows police to impound a vehicle stopped at a sobriety checkpoint where the only offense is that the driver doesn’t present a valid license. DUI stings would set up in neighborhoods with a high percentage of illegal immigrants who would then pay impound fees to towing companies. Nevertheless, don’t be drinking and driving--you can still get busted bad at a checkpoint. FYI, sobriety checkpoints must be announced publicly and be highly visible. Officers have to stop vehicles randomly, and briefly talk to the driver to check for signs of intoxication: booze breath, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, etc. If they don’t notice anything, they have to let you go. If they think you are intoxicated, they will direct you to a field sobriety test.
Two related to wine producers:
According to Regulation 2558.1, effective January 1, any alcoholic product that contains more than 0.5 percent alcohol from a source other than grapes (i.e., wine) will be classified and taxed as a distilled spirit. In other words, if wineries add a grain spirit or other distilled product to their wine in an amount greater than a half-percent, that product will be reclassified as a distilled spirit, subject to those taxes and restrictions.
A new Type 85 license allows holders to sell wine directly to consumers without also needing a second license to sell to wholesalers. This means you will be able to order wine from producers over direct mail, the Internet, or telephone that is not available anywhere else. This license still does not allow sales to consumers via a retail store. This should be a boon for small producers.
EDITED TO ADD one for retailers:
AB 183 prohibits the purchase of any liquor products in the self-checkout line of the grocery store. Sorry kids, you'll have to loiter around the front and beg adults to buy beer for you. Adults: don't be stupid. Thanks to David for pointing out in the comments below this law that I skipped from my notes while typing this article. I blame the dram of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey that I was enjoying at the time.
And one directly concerning mixed drinks:
Finally, it is legal for bars and restaurants to infuse (rectify) their spirits for consumption on premises. Now the Il Fornaio in Manhattan Beach can proudly display their bottle of SKYY Vodka with a paper “cucumber” label taped onto it with impunity. For more information on this bill (which passed and went into effect at the end of Septemeber 2011) and the wonders it will bring to cocktails in California, click here.
All in all, the new liquor laws bode well for the state. Raise your glass to that!
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