Alcoholic beverages: licenses: theaters.

Existing law, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, authorizes the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue a special on-sale general license to any nonprofit theater company, subject to specified requirements. The act provides that a violation of its provisions is a misdemeanor, unless otherwise specified. This bill would permit the department to issue a special on-sale general license to the operator of any for-profit theater located in the City and County of San Francisco, configured with theatrical seating, and primarily devoted to live theatrical performances, which would permit sales, service, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the lobbies and seating areas of the theater at specified times. The bill would subject this license to limitations regarding the number of licenses that may be issued in a county and would not require the licensee to operate as a bona fide public eating place. The bill would except a theater to be licensed under its provisions from other prohibitions on public premises licenses, as specified. By expanding the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.