Panel advances bill letting judges restrict alcohol purchases for repeat DUI offenders

Assemblymember Ransom, presenting AB 16 05, described the bill as a "targeted common sense tool" allowing judges to prohibit alcohol purchases for repeat and serious DUI offenders by placing a "no alcohol sales" notice on driver's licenses. "If you are a serious or repeat offender then you should not be able to have access to alcohol," the author said, framing the proposal as prevention to reduce recidivism.

Jonathan Feldman of the California Police Chiefs Association testified in strong support, saying California already restricts purchase of items for certain convictions and that the proposed restriction would be a narrowly tailored public-safety intervention. "We do these things when it's in a clear benefit of the public," Feldman said. Justin Fansell of the Safer Roads Coalition and other victim-advocate groups urged the committee to adopt the tool alongside ignition interlocks and treatment programs.

Retail and restaurant groups, including the California Retailers Association and the California Restaurant Association, said they had concerns about ID verification and implementation; the author noted committee amendments that concentrate on driver's license identification and said staff would continue working with stakeholders. One committee member flagged a policy concern that removing longstanding penalties in committee amendments could reduce enforcement in other areas, an issue the author said would be addressed through continued stakeholder collaboration.

The subcommittee passed AB 16 05 as amended to the Appropriations Committee for further review; the clerk recorded that the measure passed with 13 votes.