BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1941
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 7, 2002
Counsel: Alice Michel
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
Carl Washington, Chair
AB 1941 (Havice) - As Introduced: April 4, 2002
As Proposed to Be Amended
SUMMARY : Establishes requirements for the issuance of a local
permit for a "rave party". Specifically, this bill :
1)Defines "rave party" as an electronic music dance event that
may be attended by 500 or more persons.
2)Requires a local permit granting authority to notify the local
law enforcement agency when it is considering a permit for a
rave party.
3)Requires a promoter who is applying for a permit for a rave
party to:
a) Submit the application for the rave party permit at
least 30 days in advance;
b) Notify local law enforcement of its application;
c) Include in his or her permit application a list of all
of the applications the promoter has submitted for a permit
to conduct a rave party in the last year;
d) Verify that the information in the permit application is
correct, and acknowledge that submitting false information
may be grounds for denial of a permit;
e) Present evidence showing that the promoter is
sufficiently knowledgeable about illegal drugs and drug
paraphernalia to recognize the presence of drugs and drug
paraphernalia at the rave party; and,
f) Acknowledge in writing that the promoter and its agents
will not permit, condone, or ignore violations of state and
local laws relating to drugs and drug paraphernalia at the
AB 1941
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rave party.
EXISTING LAW requires that the Department of Alcohol Beverage
Control notify local law enforcement when a winegrower licensee
is issued a certified farmers' market sales permit. (Business
and Professions Code Section 23399.4)
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS :
1)Author's Statement : According to the author, "It is my sincere
belief that our children are facing an ever changing and often
dangerous world. In authoring this bill, I know I am doing my
part to help protect all children by limiting our children's
access to drugs."
2)Background : According to background information provided by
the author, rave parties are common, and the promoters of
these events sometimes obtain permits from local authorities
in order to hold the events. Many of the rave parties have a
high incidence of drug use including, but not limited to,
ecstasy, GHB, ketamin, methamphetamine, and LSD. Promoters of
the rave parties, according to the sponsor, are often ignorant
of or chose to ignore the use of drugs and the possession of
drug paraphernalia at the events. This bill is designed to
give law enforcement advance notice of the rave parties so
they can address illegal drug use and to make promoters take
written responsibility for preventing drug use.
3)Will These Permit Requirements Create Liability for the
Permitting Authority? If a permitting authority inadvertently
fails to require a signed acknowledgement from the promoter or
fails to investigate information provided by the promoter
concerning prior applications, will the permitting authority
then be potentially liable for injuries that occur at the rave
party? The bill does not specify what, if anything, the
permitting agency is required to do with the information
concerning prior applications for permits for rave parties.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Narcotic Officers' Association
AB 1941
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California Peace Officers' Association
California Police Chiefs Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Alice Michel / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744