A. Any manufacturer or subsidiary of a manufacturer who markets its products solely through a subsidiary or subsidiaries, a distiller, rectifier, bottler, winemaker or importer of alcoholic beverages, bottled or made in a foreign country, either within or without this state, may sell such brands or kinds of alcoholic beverages to every licensed wine and spirits wholesaler who desires to purchase the same, on the same price basis and without discrimination or inducements, and shall further be required to sell such beverages only to those persons licensed as wine and spirits wholesalers.
B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not apply to a brewer except as otherwise stated herein. In the event a brewer, who has entered into territorial distribution agreements with beer distributors in this state, markets wine and spirits products in this state either itself or through a subsidiary or affiliate, then such brewer, subsidiary or affiliate may elect to designate beer distributors, with whom it has entered into territorial distribution agreements, as its designated wholesalers for any wine and spirit products to be sold by the brewer, subsidiary or affiliate within said beer distributors' existing territories, provided such beer distributors must also hold a wine and spirits wholesaler license. In such event, the beer distributors shall be deemed designated wholesalers for the territory with respect to the designated products. Provided, in the event a beer distributor has not obtained a wine and spirits license, has elected not to sell wine and spirits in its respective territory or, in the brewer's commercially reasonable discretion, is not suitable to sell wine and spirits in its respective territory, then the brewer, subsidiary or affiliate may extend the territory of an existing beer distributor, with whom it has entered into a territorial distribution agreement and who holds a wine and spirits wholesaler license, for said territory. For purposes of this subsection only, the phrase "subsidiary or affiliate" shall mean any entity that the brewer controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, during the time that the wine and spirits brands are offered for sale in this state, and "control" shall mean ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities or assets of, or the ability to dictate the material operations of, another entity. If the brewer, subsidiary or affiliate sells the wine and spirits brands to a manufacturer other than one that would otherwise fall within the provisions of this subsection, then the rights provided in this subsection which relate to the wine and spirits brands shall terminate. The rights provided to beer distributors pursuant to Section 3-111 of this title shall not be extended to apply to the wine or spirits brands distributed pursuant to this subsection.
C. No manufacturer shall require a wine and spirits wholesaler to purchase any alcoholic beverages or any goods, wares or merchandise as a condition to the wine and spirits wholesaler obtaining or being entitled to purchase any alcoholic beverages.
Violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor. Conviction hereunder shall automatically revoke the violator's license.
D. In the event a manufacturer or nonresident seller has not designated a designated wholesaler to sell its products in the state, the nondesignated products shall be posted in accordance with the following:
1. On the first business day of each month, the manufacturer shall post with the ABLE Commission the price of all wine and spirits it proposes to offer for sale to licensed wine and spirit wholesalers in this state. All prices shall become effective on the first business day of the following month and shall remain in effect and unchanged for a period of not less than one (1) month. The posting shall be submitted on a form approved by the ABLE Commission and shall identify the brand, size, alcohol content and price of each item intended to be offered for sale. No change or modification of the posted price shall be permitted except upon written permission from the ABLE Commission based on good cause shown;
2. When a new item is registered, or an old item is discontinued, or any change is made by a manufacturer or nonresident seller as to price, age, proof, label or type of bottle of any item offered for sale in this state, such new item, discontinued item or change in price, age, proof, label or type of bottle of any item shall be listed separately on the cover page of the price schedule and, in the case of prices changed, shall reflect both the old and the new price of the item changed. All new items and changes as to age, proof, label or type of bottle in which any item is offered for sale shall first be submitted in writing to the ABLE Commission for approval under such requirements as it may deem proper. Approval or disapproval of price changes shall not be required if filed in conformity with the provisions of this subsection.
3. The brand name, size, proof and type of alcoholic beverages must be shown on each container sold in this state;
4. No brand of alcoholic beverage shall be listed on a price list or posting in more than one place, or offered for sale by more than one method, or at more than one price, except as provided hereafter:
5. The manufacturer shall sell to the wine and spirits wholesalers all items of wine and spirits at the current posted price in effect on the date of the shipment as shown on the manifest, bill of lading or invoice;
6. A full and correct copy of each said price registration shall be transmitted to wine and spirits wholesalers on the same day such prices are filed with or mailed to the ABLE Commission. Proof of such mailing or delivery shall be furnished the ABLE Commission by the manufacturer with the price registration or upon request;
7. The sale, or offer to sell, of any item of alcoholic beverage by a manufacturer to a wine and spirits wholesaler at a price not in compliance with the price posted with the ABLE Commission may be deemed a violation; and
8. This subsection shall not apply to a manufacturer that has designated a wine and spirits wholesaler to sell its product in the state or a brewer who has appointed a beer distributor as a designated wholesaler pursuant to subsection B of Section 3-116 of this title, with respect to designated products.
Added by Laws 2016, c. 366, § 86, eff. Oct. 1, 2018. Amended by Laws 2017, c. 364, § 17, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Laws 2019, c. 322, § 18, emerg. eff. May 7, 2019.
NOTE: Laws 2016, c. 366, was conditionally effective upon passage of State Question No. 792, Legislative Referendum No. 370, which was adopted at election held on Nov. 8, 2016.