CGA Objects to Alcohol-Sales Advisory

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Grocers Association said it has filed a petition seeking to stay a California Alcoholic Beverage Control Industry Advisory that seeks to provide guidance on complying with a new state law

regulating alcoholic beverage sales at self-checkout terminals.

CGA claims the advisory is "inconsistent with the statute, unenforceable, and in violation of the California Administrative Procedure Act." The new law takes effect Jan. 1.

"The advisory attempts to provide grocery retailers guidance on how to comply with the new law, by defining one of the law¹s key provisions. But the definition is vague and the advisory is an illegal underground regulation," said CGA President Ron Fong in a statement. "The advisory is as unclear as the law itself."

Rather than issue this advisory, Fong said, the ABC should promulgate regulations through the APA.

"We strongly disagree with the ABC's attempted interpretation of the new law," Fong said, adding CGA met with ABC officials to discuss the new law. "What was discussed in our meetings was significantly different than the

industry advisory released last week."