Employees 126 Sworn | Annual budget $56.2 Million | |
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Formed January 1, 1955; 62 years ago (1955-01-01) Department executive Timothy Gorsuch, Director | ||
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the government of the state of California charged with regulation of alcoholic beverages.
The ABC was created by constitutional amendment effective January 1, 1955, as an independent department of the executive branch of the state government. The Board of Equalization no longer has any responsibility in liquor control matters except as a taxing authority.
The department is headed by a director appointed by the Governor of California, and its two divisions are divided into districts based on population and geographical needs.
ABC has the exclusive power, in accordance with laws enacted, to license and regulate the manufacture, importation and sale of alcoholic beverages in California. It also has the power for good cause to deny, suspend or revoke any specific alcoholic beverage license.