CA AB527

Authorizes beer manufacturers, winegrowers, importers, and distilled spirits manufacturers to sponsor events and purchase advertising from live entertainment marketing companies in Napa County until January 1, 2019, subject to specific conditions.

Requires events to be held in Napa County with at least 5,000 expected daily attendees, limited to no more than three events per year, and restricts advertising placement in on-sale licensed premises owned by the entertainment company.

Mandates on-sale retailers at sponsored events serve competing brands of beer, distilled spirits, and wine in addition to the sponsoring manufacturer's products.

Creates misdemeanor penalties for manufacturers who use coercion to force wholesalers to fulfill advertising contracts, or for retail licensees who coerce wholesalers to solicit manufacturers for advertising purchases, punishable by up to six months jail, fines up to the contract value plus $10,000, and license suspension or revocation.

Applies only to Napa County as a special law responding to economic hardship from the August 24, 2014 earthquake, with the authorization expiring on January 1, 2019.