CA Bill Would Let Underage College Students Drink for Class

Assembly Bill 1989, a bill that would allow California’s underage college students studying beer brewing and winemaking to taste the alcoholic drinks they create as part of their coursework, will advance to the California Assembly floor for a vote, according to a report from the Sacramento Bee.

Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro (D-Arcata) introduced the bill back in February, noting that students in enology and brewing classes have trouble graduating on time because they cannot take tasting classes until they are over the age of 21. Chesbro also explained that other states like Oregon and Washington have already enacted legislation to help their college students.

“Of course, we want to ensure we protect California’s reputation as a much better wine state than those states,” the Assemblyman told the Sun-Star.

The bill’s language would reportedly limit the scope of the law to only include students in specific alcohol beverage production classes.