CA AB495

Amends Business and Professions Code Sections 23771 and 23772 regarding distilled spirits licensing restrictions under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act.

Allows a person who manufactures or produces distilled spirits to hold a distilled spirits importer or wholesaler's license if they: (1) are a beer manufacturer with at least two manufacturing locations in California or another state, (2) hold at least two beer and wine wholesale licenses in California, and (3) have direct ownership interest in a distilled spirits manufacturer in California or another state.

Requires that persons holding distilled spirits importer or wholesaler's licenses under these provisions may only import and distribute distilled spirits products that are: manufactured or produced by an entity in which they hold direct interest, manufactured under written contract for an entity in which they hold direct interest, or produced and bottled under written contract for an entity in which they hold direct interest.

Applicability is limited to persons who met all requirements as of July 1, 2022.

Removes importer's licenses from the general prohibition on holding both distilled spirits manufacturer licenses and certain other license types.