CaliforniaCalifornia alcohol makers may offer samples for taste research
California alcohol makers may give limited drink samples for taste research, with strict participant, payment, location, and advertising rules; the authorization ends in 2032.
What it does
California alcohol makers may give samples during genuine studies of how consumers perceive a drink’s sensory qualities. Strict age, payment, location, and use limits apply.
Argument forAlcohol makers could learn how consumers perceive a drink’s taste, which may help them assess products through controlled research.
Argument againstMakers could pay participants up to $500 and repeat studies, which might make research feel like a reward to consumers despite limits on who may take part.
More detail
Eligible alcohol makers may provide drink samples during a genuine market study that measures how consumers perceive taste and other sensory qualities. This applies to licensed winegrowers, beer makers, distilled spirits makers, craft distillers, brandy makers, rectifiers, and wine rectifiers conducting research in California. Each participant must be at least 21, and trained staff who are also at least 21 must administer or assist with the study. Participants may receive only as many samples as reasonably needed to form an opinion. They may receive only a uniform monetary payment, capped at $500 each; no other compensation is allowed. A person may join no more than three of a licensee’s studies per year. The study generally cannot take place at or near a location with an alcohol license, and it cannot be used to get around sample restrictions. Study data cannot be used for advertising or promotion. Participants cannot buy the tested drinks from the maker on the study day. Wholesalers and retailers, their staff and agents, and people with an ownership stake in those licenses cannot participate. This authorization remains in effect until January 1, 2032, when it is repealed.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 18Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 282, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 18Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Aug 31Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 25Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6508.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1991 Aguiar-Curry Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1991 Aguiar-Curry By McGuire. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 25In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 25Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 5Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 4Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 4Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 3From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.Minor
- Jun 24Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jun 23From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 23).Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 16From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on G.O.Major
- Jun 3Referred to Com. on G.O.Minor
- May 21In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1991 Aguiar-Curry Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 21Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 73. Noes 0. Page 5215.)Passed Assembly
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 9From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 22. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 8
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Re-referred to Com. on G.O.Minor
- Mar 9From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on G.O. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 9Referred to Com. on G.O.Minor
- Feb 18From printer. May be heard in committee March 20.
- Feb 17Read first time. To print.Introduced
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