(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, in any county of the 18th class the department may issue five additional new original on-sale general licenses for bona fide public eating places per year, until January 1, 2016. To qualify for a license under this section the premises upon which a bona fide public eating place is operated shall have a seating capacity for 50 or more diners. Not more than a total of 15 on-sale general licenses shall be issued under this section.

(b) In issuing the licenses provided for in this section, the department shall follow the procedure set forth in Section 23961.

(c) This chapter does not prohibit a person who currently holds a valid on-sale general license for seasonal business from applying for an original on-sale general license pursuant to this section.

(d) A license issued under this section shall not be transferred from one county to another nor shall it be transferred to any premises not qualifying under this section.

(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 467, Sec. 1. (AB 1320) Effective January 1, 2013.)