AB 2069 - CALL TO ACTION (California Distillers)

[Golden Beaver Distillery]

 

Hello everyone,

After nine months of work, Assemblymember James Gallagher and co-sponsors (see below) have AB 2069 to amend Section 23398.5 of the Business and Profession Code to include “domestically produced soju/shochu”:

Bill Text

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1.

 Section 23398.5 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

23398.5.

 Any on-sale license, issued pursuant to this division that authorizes the sale of wine, also authorizes the sale of both all of the following:

(a) Soju, an imported Korean alcoholic beverage that contains not more than 24 percent of alcohol by volume and is derived from agricultural products.

(b) Shochu, an imported Japanese alcoholic beverage that contains not more than 24 percent of alcohol by volume and is derived from agricultural products.

(c) Domestically produced soju and shochu, alcoholic beverages that contain not more than 24 percent of alcohol by volume and are derived from agricultural products.

Argument for the bill:

 

"The need for AB 2069 is supported by the existing regulatory framework in California, which permits on-sale licensees to sell imported soju and shochu but prohibits the sale of domestically produced alternatives. This regulatory disparity creates a significant disadvantage for California producers and restricts consumer choice. Additionally, the bill aligns with the US Department of Treasury’s Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) definitions, which do not confine soju and shochu sales to imported products.  The TTB only recognized Andong Soju as part of a US Korea free trade agreement (see TTB ruling 2012-3).

 

Domestic soju is a growing and diverse market that should not be competitively disadvantaged because of state law."

 

This bill will be heard by the GO Committee next month and we need your help.

 

Attached is a draft letter of support for the bill that can be edited and forward to the CA Advocates via this link (you will need to create an account) and a copy to Katja.Townsend@asm.ca.gov . These letter should be received by the end of next week.

 

The passage of this bill will help all of those making soju/shochu today and in the future.

 

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments.

 

Thank you,

 

Kris

 

Co-sponsors

Assembly Members:

 

1.      Alanis

2.      Arambula

3.      Connolly

4.      Mathis

5.      Nguyen

6.      Patterson, Jim

7.      Ta

8.      Waldron

 

Senators: 

1.      Dahle

2.      Jones

AB2069_MockSupport_Letter_v1.doc