CA AB605

Authorizes the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue instructional tasting licenses to holders of off-sale retail licenses, allowing authorized licensees or their representatives to conduct tasting events on designated premises areas.

Establishes eligibility restrictions: denies licenses to fuel stations with less than 10,000 square feet of enclosed retail space and to retailers under 5,000 square feet unless alcoholic beverage sales comprise at least 75 percent of total sales.

Sets tasting limits: wine and distilled spirits limited to 3 tastings per person per day (distilled spirits ≤ 1/4 ounce, wine ≤ 1 ounce); beer limited to 8 ounces per person per day; no charges permitted for tastings.

Imposes original license fee of $300 and annual renewal fee of $261, deposited in the Alcohol Beverage Control Fund; requires physical separation of tasting area from retail space and prohibits persons under 21 from entering tasting areas.

Makes violations of instructional tasting license provisions punishable as misdemeanors, including minors entering tasting areas (minimum $200 fine with no suspension allowed).