Once again, the California legislature is trying to extend last call times throughout the state to 4 a.m.  2025's AB 342 would let any jurisdiction push for early morning alcohol sales on Friday and Saturday nights. Despite data showing potential costs of $2.05 billion over 5 years from late last calls, the bill has passed the Assembly. Now it is up to the Senate GO committee to listen to the science.

Soon, the Senate GO Committee will decide the health and safety of all Californians.

The risks of AB 342 are well-known.  Extended last-call times are associated with heightened levels of violence, injury, emergency service calls, and crash risks.  Over 40 years of research across four continents shows that these extended last call times impact public health and safety, often in ways that take decades of advocacy to roll back.

This is the sixth time in ten years this bill has been brought before the legislature. It has been found wrong for California every time, and today, the risks are worse. According to CA Department of Public Health data, alcohol-related deaths have risen 70% since 2015.  Alcohol-related crash deaths keep rising as well, from 966 in 2019 to 1,370 in 2021. 

Community members have spoken forcefully against this bill before, and we ask that they do so again today. Please TAKE ACTION to send the attached message to the Senate GO Committee and Gov. Newsom, and tell them to STOP the 4 A.M. Bar Bill.