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for immediate release
April 25, 2023
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Governmental Organizations Committee passed Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco)’s SB 76, the Recreational Districts Act. The bill authorizes cities to create “entertainment districts” in public spaces and aids the resurgence of brick-and-mortar restaurants and bars by removing barriers to their participation in outdoor events such as street fairs and festivals. SB 76 passes 14-0 with bipartisan support, now heads to Appropriations Committee
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and we need to take common-sense steps to help them recover,” Senator Wiener said. “As our downtowns and neighborhoods recover from the pandemic, we also need to activate public spaces. It doesn’t make sense to allow outside vendors to come into the neighborhood to sell to-go drinks during street fairs while banning brick-and-mortar businesses from doing so. This overdue reform energizes our communities and opens up new revenue streams at a time when our small businesses desperately need it.”
Under current law, licensed businesses can enter from outside the community during street fairs or festivals to set up stalls selling takeaway alcohol, but nearby restaurants and bars are prohibited from doing so. SB 76 would allow municipalities to designate temporary entertainment areas where brick-and-mortar bars and restaurants can sell alcohol on an equal footing with licensed vendors at music festivals.
SB 76 is sponsored by the California National Association of Independent Venues, California Nightlife Association and Bay Area Council. Read more about SB 76 here.
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