Business: retail food.

Assembly Members Gabriel, Mark González, and Wicks propose extending COVID-19 relief measures for California's food and beverage industries while establishing new operational flexibility for restaurants. The legislation would maintain temporary catering authorizations for alcoholic beverage licensees through January 2029, though no new authorizations could be issued after January 2027. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control retains authority to rescind these privileges if licensees jeopardize public health and safety.

The bill permanently codifies pandemic-era allowances for outdoor dining by removing sunset provisions on parking requirement adjustments and satellite food service operations. Restaurants could now operate with open windows, folding doors, or non-fixed storefronts during business hours after obtaining approval of an integrated pest management plan. These plans must detail risk assessment procedures, control measures, employee training protocols, and monitoring requirements. Local agencies must approve proposed plans unless specific circumstances present significant public health risks.

Local jurisdictions that have not enacted outdoor dining ordinances must continue reducing parking requirements to accommodate expanded dining areas. While the bill creates additional administrative duties for local agencies, it specifies that no state reimbursement is required since localities can levy fees to cover implementation costs. The legislation aims to preserve operational adaptations developed during COVID-19 while maintaining health and safety standards through new oversight mechanisms.