Politics & Government

Local Politician's Bill Would Protect Homebrewers' Festival

The following is a news release from the office of Assemblyman Brian Nestande: 

Assemblyman Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, announced today that Assembly Bill 2609 passed the Governmental Organization Committee with a unanimous vote of 18-0. This measure was introduced in response to legislation that was passed last year which essentially banned the annual homebrewers' festival.

 

“I am very pleased the Committee passed this measure so that the California Home Brewers Association and the National Home Brewers Association can hold their annual festival and share information about the craft they are so passionate about,” said Nestande.

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Last year, the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee authored AB 1425, a technical clean-up bill that updated and clarified different code sections of law relating to alcoholic beverages.  An amendment added in the Senate effectively barred the two associations from holding their annual conferences in California.  AB 2609 is a narrowly focused bill that will authorize each association to host a maximum of two conferences per year for their members.

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Christy Elshof, President of the Board of the Directors for the California Homebrewers Association stated, “We’re thrilled the committee unanimously approved AB 2609.  This is an important first step toward ensuring that our annual festival will be able to take place next year.”

 

“The American Home Brewers Association looks forward to the ultimate passage of AB 2609 so we can host the premier event for homebrews across the nation next year in San Diego,” said Gary Glass, Director of the American Home Brewers Association.

More than 150 individual homebrewers across California submitted letters in support of the measure. AB 2609 will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.


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