Bill Text: IN SB0244 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Alcoholic beverage wholesalers.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-01 - Amendment 2 (Merritt), prevailed; Roll Call 84: Yeas 32, Nays 14 [SB0244 Detail]

Download: Indiana-2010-SB0244-Introduced.html

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Introduced Version

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SENATE BILL No. 244

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DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL

Citations Affected: IC 7.1-3; IC 7.1-5.

Synopsis: Alcoholic beverage wholesalers. Allows a person to wholesale beer, wine, and liquor. (Current law allows a person to wholesale only wine and beer or wine and liquor.) Allows a beer wholesaler to have a minority interest in another entity that holds a beer wholesaler permit, if: (1) the entity is a women-owned business enterprise or a minority owned business; and (2) the permit premises or warehouse is located in a county that borders the Ohio River. Allows a wine wholesaler that also holds a liquor wholesaler's permit to sell more than 1,000,000 gallons of flavored malt beverage during a calendar year. Requires a primary source of supply of a liquor or wine brand to provide notice to the existing wholesaler of the brand if the primary source of supply intends to: (1) terminate or not renew the distribution rights of the existing wholesaler for the brand and appoint a successor wholesaler to distribute the brand; (2) reduce the existing wholesaler's territory for the brand and appoint a successor wholesaler for the brand; (3) appoint a wholesaler to distribute the brand in all or part of the existing wholesaler's territory; or (4) acquire the right to manufacture or distribute a brand and decides not to have the existing wholesaler continue to distribute the brand. Requires the successor wholesaler for the brand to negotiate with the existing wholesaler for the brand to determine the fair market value of the existing wholesaler's distribution rights for the brand. Provides that if a settlement agreement is not reached within a certain time, the matter may be submitted to binding arbitration. Provides that the existing wholesaler continues to distribute the brand until the existing wholesaler is compensated for the loss in distribution rights. Repeals a provision that prohibits the alcohol

(Continued next page)

Effective: Upon passage.

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Merritt

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    January 11, 2010, read first time and referred to Committee on Commerce, Public Policy & Interstate Cooperation.

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Digest Continued

and tobacco commission from issuing a beer wholesaler's permit to a person who holds a wine wholesaler's permit and a liquor wholesaler's permit.

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Introduced

Second Regular Session 116th General Assembly (2010)

PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2009 Regular and Special Sessions of the General Assembly.

SENATE BILL No. 244

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    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning alcohol and tobacco.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 7.1-3-3-4; (10)IN0244.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 7.1-3-3-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.94-2008, SECTION 27, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 4. (a) The premises to be used as a warehouse by an applicant shall be described in the application for the permit. The commission shall not issue a beer wholesaler's permit to an applicant for any other warehouse or premises than that described in the application. The commission shall issue only one (1) beer wholesaler's permit to an applicant, but a permittee may be permitted to transfer the permittee's warehouse to another location within the county that is not required to be within the corporate limits of an incorporated city or town, upon application to, and approval of, the commission.
    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), the holder of a beer wholesaler's permit may have a minority interest in another entity that holds a beer wholesaler's permit if:
        (1) the entity is a:

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            (A) women-owned business enterprise (as defined in IC 5-16-6.5-3); or
             (B) minority business enterprise (as defined in IC 4-13-16.5-1); and
        (2) the entity's permit premises or warehouse is located in a county bordering the Ohio River.
    (b) (c) As used in this subsection, "immediate relative" means the father, the mother, a brother, a sister, a son, or a daughter of a wholesaler permittee. Notwithstanding subsection (a), the commission, upon the death or legally adjudged mental incapacitation of a wholesaler permittee, may allow the transfer of the wholesaler permit only to an immediate relative of the wholesaler permittee who concurrently holds a majority share in a valid wholesaler permit.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-3-13-1; (10)IN0244.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 7.1-3-13-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 1. (a) The commission may issue a wine wholesaler's permit to sell wine, or wine and brandy, at wholesale to a person who:
        (1) notwithstanding IC 7.1-5-9-4, holds a beer wholesaler's permit;
        (2) holds a liquor wholesaler's permit; or
        (3) does not hold an alcoholic beverage wholesaler's permit, but meets the qualifications to hold either a beer or a liquor wholesaler's permit.
    (b) The holder of a wine wholesaler's permit under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2):
        (1) is considered the same as a person who holds a wine wholesaler's permit under subsection (a)(3) for purposes of conducting activities and operations under the wine wholesaler's permit; and
        (2) may operate the beer or liquor wholesale business independently of the wine wholesale business.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-3-13-3; (10)IN0244.1.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 7.1-3-13-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.165-2006, SECTION 25, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 3. (a) The holder of a wine wholesaler's permit may purchase, import, and transport wine, brandy, or flavored malt beverage from the primary source of supply. A wine wholesaler may export and transport wine, brandy, or flavored malt beverage by the bottle, barrel, cask, or other container, to points outside Indiana. A wine wholesaler is entitled to sell, furnish, and deliver wine or flavored malt beverage from inventory that has been located on the wholesaler's premises before the time of invoicing and delivery to a wine wholesaler, a wine retailer, a supplemental caterer, a temporary wine

permittee, and a wine dealer, but not at retail. A wine wholesaler may sell, furnish, and deliver brandy from inventory that has been located on the wholesaler's premises before the time of invoicing and delivery, but not at retail, only to a person who holds a liquor retailer's permit, a supplemental caterer's permit, or a liquor dealer's permit. A holder of a wine wholesaler's permit may sell wine to the wine wholesaler's bona fide regular employees.
    (b) As used in this section, "brandy" means:
        (1) any alcoholic distillate described in 27 CFR 5.22(d) as in effect on January 1, 1983; or
        (2) a beverage product that:
            (A) is prepared from a liquid described in subdivision (1);
            (B) is classified as a cordial or liqueur as defined in 27 CFR 5.22(h) as in effect on January 1, 1997; and
            (C) meets the following requirements:
                (i) At least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the product's alcohol content is composed of a substance described in subdivision (1).
                (ii) The product's label makes no reference to any distilled spirit other than brandy.
                (iii) The product's alcohol content is not less than sixteen percent (16%) by volume or thirty-two (32) degrees proof.
                (iv) The product contains dairy cream.
                (v) The product's sugar, dextrose, or levulose content is at least twenty percent (20%) of the product's weight.
                (vi) The product contains caramel coloring.
    (c) Nothing in this section allows a wine wholesaler to sell, give, purchase, transport, or export beer (as defined in IC 7.1-1-3-6) unless the wine wholesaler also holds a beer wholesaler's permit under IC 7.1-3-3-1.
    (d) A wine wholesaler that also holds a liquor wholesaler's permit under IC 7.1-3-8 may not:
        (1) hold a beer wholesaler's permit under IC 7.1-3-3;
        (2) possess, sell, or transport beer; or
        (3) sell more than one million (1,000,000) gallons of flavored malt beverage during a calendar year.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-3-23-23; (10)IN0244.1.4. -->     SECTION 4. IC 7.1-3-23-23 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 23. (a) This section applies to a brewer that manufactures more than twenty thousand (20,000) barrels of beer in a calendar year.
    (b) The commission shall revoke the permit of a brewer or beer wholesaler who holds an interest in another permit in violation of

IC 7.1-5-9-3.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-3-25.5; (10)IN0244.1.5. -->     SECTION 5. IC 7.1-3-25.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]:
     Chapter 25.5. Transfers of Liquor and Wine Brands Between Wholesalers
     Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "brand" means a:
        (1) liquor product that is publicly distinguished from other liquor products; or
        (2) wine product that is publicly distinguished from other wine products;
and that bears a unique name. All package, size, flavor, and other variations bearing the unique brand name are part of the brand.
     Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "existing wholesaler" means a:
        (1) liquor wholesaler; or
        (2) wine wholesaler;
that distributes a brand under distribution rights granted by that brand's primary source of supply immediately before notice of the transfer of those distribution rights to a successor wholesaler.
     Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "successor wholesaler" means one (1) or more liquor or wine wholesalers designated by a primary source of supply to distribute a brand in all or any part of an existing wholesaler's territory under section 4 of this chapter.
     Sec. 4. A primary source of supply and a successor wholesaler shall comply with this chapter if:
        (1) the primary source of supply wants to:
            (A) terminate or not renew an existing wholesaler's distribution rights for a brand; and
            (B) appoint a successor wholesaler for the brand in the territory to be lost by the existing wholesaler;
        (2) the primary source of supply wants to:
            (A) reduce the existing wholesaler's territory for a brand; and
            (B) appoint a successor wholesaler for the brand in the territory to be lost by the existing wholesaler;
        (3) the primary source of supply wants to appoint another wholesaler for any brand distributed by an existing wholesaler in all or any part of the existing wholesaler's territory for the brand; or
        (4) the primary source of supply acquires the right to manufacture or distribute a brand and wants to:
            (A) not reappoint the existing wholesaler to distribute the

brand in all or any part of the existing wholesaler's territory;
            (B) reduce the existing wholesaler's territory for the brand; or
            (C) terminate or not renew the distribution rights of the existing wholesaler for the brand in all or part of the existing wholesaler's territory;
without compensating the existing wholesaler for the fair market value of the distribution rights for the brand lost by the existing wholesaler.
     Sec. 5. (a) The primary source of supply shall notify the existing wholesaler of the primary source of supply's intent to take any action under section 4 of this chapter.
    (b) The primary source of supply shall give notice to the existing wholesaler by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice must include the successor wholesaler's:
        (1) name;
        (2) address; and
        (3) telephone number.
     (c) The primary source of supply shall give the notice under subsection (b) of an action taken under section 4(4) of this chapter to the existing wholesaler not later than sixty (60) days after the closing of the transaction in which the successor primary source of supply acquires the brand.
     Sec. 6. (a) A successor wholesaler shall negotiate with the existing wholesaler to determine the fair market value of the existing wholesaler's distribution rights for the brand to be acquired by the successor wholesaler.
    (b) In the case of an announced loss of all of an existing wholesaler's distribution rights for a brand, the fair market value of the existing wholesaler's distribution rights is the value that would have been ascribed to the existing wholesaler's distribution rights for the brand in an arms length transaction entered into without duress or threat of termination of the existing wholesaler's distribution rights.
    (c) In the case of the announced loss of part of the distribution rights for a brand by:
        (1) reduction in the existing wholesaler's territory;
        (2) the appointment of another wholesaler to distribute a brand in addition to the existing wholesaler; or
        (3) a means other than subdivision (1) or (2);
the fair market value of the existing wholesaler's distribution

rights is the loss in value that would have been ascribed to the existing wholesaler's distribution rights for the brand in an arms length transaction entered into without duress or threat of termination of the existing wholesaler's distribution rights.
     Sec. 7. The existing wholesaler shall continue to distribute the brand until payment of the compensation agreed to under section 6 of this chapter or awarded under section 11 of this chapter is received.
     Sec. 8. (a) The successor wholesaler and the existing wholesaler shall negotiate in good faith. If the parties fail to reach an agreement within thirty (30) days after the existing wholesaler receives the notice under section 5 of this chapter, the successor's wholesaler or the existing wholesaler may send a written notice to the:
        (1) other party;
        (2) primary source of supply; and
        (3) American Arbitration Association or its successor in interest;
declaring the party's intention to proceed with final and binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under the American Arbitration Association's Commercial Arbitration Rules.
    (b) Notice of intent to arbitrate shall be sent under subsection (a) not later than forty-five (45) days after the existing wholesaler receives notice under section 5 of this chapter. The arbitration proceedings must conclude not later than forty-five (45) days after the date the notice of intent to arbitrate is mailed to a party, unless extended by the arbitrator.
     Sec. 9. (a) The arbitration shall be conducted in the city within Indiana that:
        (1) is closest to the existing wholesaler; and
        (2) has a population of more than fifty thousand (50,000).
    (b) The arbitration shall be conducted before one (1) impartial arbitrator to be selected by the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association.
     Sec. 10. The arbitrator's award must be monetary only and may not enjoin or compel conduct. The arbitration is instead of all other remedies and procedures.
     Sec. 11. (a) The cost of the arbitrator and other direct costs of the arbitration shall be equally divided by the existing wholesaler and the successor wholesaler. All other costs shall be paid by the

party incurring them.
    (b) The arbitrator shall render a decision not later than thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the arbitration unless this period is extended by mutual agreement of the parties or by the arbitrator. The decision of the arbitrator is final and binding on the parties. Under no circumstances may the parties appeal the decision of the arbitrator.
    (c) A party who fails to participate in the arbitration hearings waives all rights the party would have had in the arbitration and is considered to have consented to the determination of the arbitrator.
     Sec. 12. If the existing wholesaler does not receive payment of the compensation under section 6 or 11 of this chapter within thirty (30) days after the date of the settlement or arbitration award:
        (1) the existing wholesaler remains the distributor of the brand in the existing wholesaler's territory to at least the same extent that the existing wholesaler distributed the brand immediately before the announcement of any of the actions described in section 4 of this chapter;
        (2) the successor wholesaler does not have any rights to distribute the brand in the existing wholesaler's territory; and
        (3) the existing wholesaler is not entitled to the settlement or arbitration award.
     Sec. 13. This chapter may not be construed to limit or prohibit good faith settlements voluntarily entered into by the parties.
     Sec. 14. This chapter may not be construed to give an existing wholesaler any right to compensation, if the primary source of supply establishes that the primary source of supply legally terminated or did not renew the distribution rights of the existing wholesaler. A primary source of supply may legally terminate or not renew the distribution rights if:
        (1) the termination or nonrenewal is in accordance with IC 7.1-5-5-9; or
        (2) the:
            (A) existing wholesaler fails to comply substantially with a material provision that is essential, fair, and reasonable, in an agreement to distribute a brand;
            (B) primary source of supply provides written notice to the existing wholesaler describing in reasonable detail the wholesaler's failure to comply; and
            (C) existing wholesaler fails to substantially correct the deficiency not later than ninety (90) days after the date of

receiving the notice.
If the existing wholesaler fails to comply substantially with a material provision that is essential, fair, and reasonable in an agreement to distribute a brand, and it is impossible for the existing wholesaler to correct the deficiency, the primary source of supply may terminate or not renew the agreement without providing the existing wholesaler with notice or an opportunity to correct the deficiency.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-5-5-9; (10)IN0244.1.6. -->     SECTION 6. IC 7.1-5-5-9, AS AMENDED BY P.L.94-2008, SECTION 48, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 9. (a) This section does not apply to product management (as described in 905 IAC 1-5.2-15) by a permittee.
    (b) It is unlawful for a permittee to knowingly or intentionally coerce, or attempt to coerce, or persuade another permittee to enter into an agreement, or to take an action, which would violate a provision of this title or of the rules and regulations of the commission.
    (c) It is unlawful for a beer wholesaler or a primary source of supply to cancel or terminate an agreement or contract between a beer wholesaler and a primary source of supply for the sale of beer, unfairly and without due regard for the equities of the other party.
     (d) Except as provided in IC 7.1-3-25.5, it is unlawful for a primary source of supply to terminate or not renew an agreement or contract between:
        (1) the primary source of supply; and
        (2) the:
            (A) wine wholesaler for the sale of wine; or
            (B) liquor wholesaler for the sale of liquor;
unfairly and without due regard for the equities of the other party.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-5-9-3; (10)IN0244.1.7. -->     SECTION 7. IC 7.1-5-9-3 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 3. (a) This section applies to a brewer that manufactures more than twenty thousand (20,000) barrels of beer in a calendar year.
    (b) It is unlawful for the holder of a brewer's or beer wholesaler's permit to have an interest in a liquor permit of any type under this title.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-5-9-4; (10)IN0244.1.8. -->     SECTION 8. IC 7.1-5-9-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 4. Except as provided in IC 7.1-3-3-4, An applicant for a beer wholesaler's permit shall have no interest in the following:
        (1) A permit to manufacture or to sell at retail alcoholic beverages of any kind.
        (2) Any other permit to wholesale alcoholic beverages.
        (3) (2) Through stock ownership or otherwise, a partnership,

limited liability company, or corporation that holds (A) a permit to manufacture or to sell at retail alcoholic beverages of any kind. or
            (B) any other permit to wholesale alcoholic beverages of any kind.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-5-9-6; (10)IN0244.1.9. -->     SECTION 9. IC 7.1-5-9-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 6. Liquor Permittee's Interests Limited. It is unlawful for the holder of a distiller's or rectifier's or liquor wholesaler's permit to have an interest in a beer permit of any type under this title.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-5-9-16; (10)IN0244.1.10. -->     SECTION 10. IC 7.1-5-9-16 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 16. A wholesaler of alcoholic beverages may hold permits to wholesale beer, wine, and liquor.

SOURCE: IC 7.1-3-3-19; (10)IN0244.1.11. -->     SECTION 11. IC 7.1-3-3-19 IS REPEALED [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE].

SOURCE: ; (10)IN0244.1.12. -->     SECTION 12. An emergency is declared for this act.