Bill to Ban Malt Liquor, Fortified Wines Stalls

Legislation that would restrict the sale of fortified wines and malt liquor in South-Central and in certain parts of Northern California suffered a setback last week in the Assembly.

Assembly Bill 2698 was expected to go before the Governmental Organization Committee for a vote Tuesday, but the bill’s supporters postponed any action, acknowledging that they lacked the necessary votes.

The bill is intended to strengthen the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control by beefing up the agency’s authority to impose fines and enforce conditions on problem stores. The bill would also establish a pilot program that would prohibit the sale of fortified wine and malt liquor in South-Central and in downtown Oakland for a three-year period.

“The bill is still alive, but it’s been very difficult trying to persuade rural representatives or those who have been unduly influence by the industry that this is a problem that needs to be addressed,” said George Wiley, a consultant to the committee.

Under the proposal, the state liquor agency could limit stores’ hours of operation, the type of alcohol sold and require security guards. The agency could also impose fines on store owners who do not comply.

“I’m not really worried about the bill because I already have conditions placed on the store,” said Hyok Kwan, manager of the Lucky Liquor Store at 1471 Jefferson Blvd. “I don’t know much about the bill, but I don’t think it will help people here because they will just find another place to buy those strong wines.”

A major stumbling block for the bill has been the proposed pilot program in South-Central and in Oakland, Wiley said. He said the bill’s author, Assemblyman Curtis R. Tucker Jr. (D-Inglewood), is considering limiting the pilot program to South-Central in an effort to move it through the Assembly.

The bill will remain in committee until next month, when it is expected to come up again for consideration, Wiley said. Tucker introduced the bill in February.