Business: retail food.

Assembly Member Gabriel proposes to permanently codify several COVID-19 era business operation allowances through legislation that would remove expiration dates from temporary provisions governing outdoor dining, alcohol service, and retail food operations.

The bill would make permanent the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's authority to permit licensees to serve alcohol in expanded outdoor areas under COVID-19 Temporary Catering Authorizations. Local jurisdictions would retain their current ability to reduce parking requirements to accommodate outdoor dining expansions. The department would maintain its power to rescind authorizations if licensees abuse the privileges or jeopardize public health and safety.

For retail food facilities, the legislation would allow continued operation of temporary satellite food services without separate permits, provided written operating procedures are maintained onsite. The bill also modifies structural requirements for permanent food facilities - while maintaining the requirement for full enclosure during non-operating hours, it would explicitly permit the use of open windows, folding doors, and non-fixed storefronts during business hours.

The changes would shift ongoing implementation costs to local agencies through their existing authority to levy service charges and fees, rather than requiring state reimbursement. Local officials would continue performing duties related to permitting, inspections, and enforcement of the modified regulations indefinitely rather than until the current July 2026 sunset date.