PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 311, 2074

PRINTER'S NO.  2326

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

291

Session of

2009

  

  

INTRODUCED BY DONATUCCI, J. TAYLOR, BELFANTI, BEYER, BRENNAN, CARROLL, DALEY, DeLUCA, EVERETT, FRANKEL, HALUSKA, HARHAI, JOSEPHS, MARSHALL, MELIO, MILLER, M. O'BRIEN, PAYNE, PETRI, PYLE, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, WATSON, W. KELLER, DENLINGER, FABRIZIO, GOODMAN, HARKINS AND PHILLIPS, FEBRUARY 6, 2009

  

  

AS RE-REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 29, 2009   

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), entitled, as

2

reenacted, "An act relating to alcoholic liquors, alcohol and

3

malt and brewed beverages; amending, revising, consolidating

4

and changing the laws relating thereto; regulating and

5

restricting the manufacture, purchase, sale, possession,

6

consumption, importation, transportation, furnishing, holding

7

in bond, holding in storage, traffic in and use of alcoholic

8

liquors, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages and the

9

persons engaged or employed therein; defining the powers and

10

duties of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; providing

11

for the establishment and operation of State liquor stores,

12

for the payment of certain license fees to the respective

13

municipalities and townships, for the abatement of certain

14

nuisances and, in certain cases, for search and seizure

15

without warrant; prescribing penalties and forfeitures;

16

providing for local option, and repealing existing laws,"

17

further providing for definitions, for malt and brewed

18

beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing

19

distributors' licenses, for malt and brewed beverages

20

alternating brewers' licenses, for distributors' and

21

importing distributors' restrictions on sales, storage, etc.,

22

and for breweries.

23

This act shall be construed as an enactment of the General

24

Assembly's support for the 3-tier system for alcoholic beverages

25

production, distribution and sale that, through uniform

 


1

Statewide regulation, provides this Commonwealth regulatory

2

authority over the production, storage, distribution,

3

transportation, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages by

4

and to its citizens, for the benefit of the public health and

5

welfare and this Commonwealth's economic stability. The General

6

Assembly intends that the liquor laws shall be enforced in order

7

to restrict sales to minors, collect all State and local taxes

8

due on the commerce in alcoholic beverages, establish open,

9

transparent and accountable distribution systems for alcoholic

10

beverages and the intent to exercise, to the fullest extent

11

allowed, all the authority granted a state under the Twenty-

12

first Amendment.

13

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

14

hereby enacts as follows:

15

Section 1.  The definition of "distributor" in section 102 of

16

the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor

17

Code, reenacted and amended June 29, 1987 (P.L.32, No.14) and

18

amended May 31, 1996 (P.L.312, No.49), is amended and the

19

section is amended by adding definitions to read:

20

Section 102.  Definitions.--The following words or phrases,

21

unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have the

22

meanings ascribed to them in this section:

23

* * *

24

"Distributor" shall mean any person licensed by the board to

25

engage in the purchase only from [Pennsylvania] small 

26

manufacturers and from importing distributors and the resale of

27

malt or brewed beverages, except to importing distributors and

28

distributors, in the original sealed containers as prepared for

29

the market by the manufacturer at the place of manufacture, but

30

not for consumption on the premises where sold, and in

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1

quantities of not less than a case or original containers

2

containing one hundred twenty-eight ounces or more which may be

3

sold separately.

4

* * *

5

"Out-of-State small "Small manufacturer" shall mean a small 

<--

6

manufacturer located outside this Commonwealth with a maximum

<--

7

production of  seventy-five thousand barrels of malt or brewed

8

beverages per year. In determining the annual production, the

9

out-of-State small manufacturer shall include a portion of the

<--

10

production of any other manufacturer who holds, directly or

11

indirectly, an ownership interest in it or with whom it has a

12

distribution agreement in this Commonwealth. If another

13

manufacturer holds, directly or indirectly, an ownership

14

interest in the out-of-State small manufacturer, the percentage

<--

15

of that interest shall be applied to the manufacturer's total

16

production of malt or brewed beverage products to determine the

17

amount that shall be included in determining the maximum

18

production for the out-of-State small manufacturer. If the out-

<--

19

of-State small manufacturer has a distribution agreement with a

20

larger manufacturer for distribution in this Commonwealth, the

21

distributing manufacturer's total distribution in this

22

Commonwealth shall be added to the out-of-State small

<--

23

manufacturer's production to determine whether the seventy-five 

24

thousand barrel mark has been reached. Only malt or brewed

<--

25

beverages for which the small manufacturer is responsible for

26

paying the malt beverage tax shall be considered in calculating

27

the total number of barrels produced per year by the small

28

manufacturer.

29

* * *

30

"Small manufacturer" shall mean a manufacturer of malt or

<--

- 3 -

 


1

brewed beverages that produces no more than seventy-five 

2

thousand barrels of malt or brewed beverages per year. Only malt

3

or brewed beverages for which the manufacturer is responsible

4

for paying the malt beverage tax shall be considered in

5

calculating the total number of barrels produced per year for a

6

manufacturer.

7

* * *

8

Section 2.  Section 431 of the act, amended December 20, 1996

9

(P.L.1513, No.196), December 21, 1998 (P.L.1202, No.155) and

10

December 8, 2004 (P.L.1810, No.239), is amended to read:

11

Section 431.  Malt and Brewed Beverages Manufacturers',

12

Distributors' and Importing Distributors' Licenses.--(a)  The

13

board shall issue to any person a resident of this Commonwealth

14

of good repute who applies therefor, and pays the license fee

15

hereinafter prescribed, a manufacturer's license to produce and

16

manufacture malt or brewed beverages, and to transport, sell and

17

deliver malt or brewed beverages from the place of manufacture

18

only in original containers, in quantities of not less than a

19

case or original containers containing one hundred twenty-eight

20

ounces or more which may be sold separately anywhere within the

21

Commonwealth. The application for such license shall be in such

22

form and contain such information as the board shall require.

23

All such licenses shall be granted for a license period to be

24

determined by the board. Every manufacturer shall keep at his or

25

its principal place of business, within the Commonwealth daily

26

permanent records which shall show, (1) the quantities of raw

27

materials received and used in the manufacture of malt or brewed

28

beverages and the quantities of malt or brewed beverages

29

manufactured and stored, (2) the sales of malt or brewed

30

beverages, (3) the quantities of malt or brewed beverages stored

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1

for hire or transported for hire by or for the licensee, and (4)

2

the names and addresses of the purchasers or other recipients

3

thereof. Every place licensed as a manufacturer shall be subject

4

to inspection by members of the board or by persons duly

5

authorized and designated by the board, at any and all times of

6

the day or night, as they may deem necessary, for the detection

7

of violations of this act or of the rules and regulations of the

8

board, or for the purpose of ascertaining the correctness of the

9

records required to be kept by licensees. The books and records

10

of such licensees shall at all times be open to inspection by

11

members of the board or by persons duly authorized and

12

designated by the board. Members of the board and its duly

13

authorized agents shall have the right, without hindrance, to

14

enter any place which is subject to inspection hereunder or any

15

place where such records are kept for the purpose of making such

16

inspections and making transcripts thereof. Whenever any checks

17

issued in payment of filing and/or license fees shall be

18

returned to the board as dishonored, the board shall charge a

19

fee of five dollars ($5.00) per hundred dollars or fractional

20

part thereof, plus all protest fees, to the maker of such check

21

submitted to the board. Failure to make full payment or pay the

22

face amount of the check in full and all charges thereon as

23

herein required within ten days after demand has been made by

24

the board upon the maker of the check or upon notification to

25

the board by the Department of Revenue or the Department of

26

Labor and Industry of its objection, the license of such person

27

shall immediately become invalid and shall remain invalid until

28

payment and all charges are received by the board.

29

(a.1)  Any [out of State] manufacturer whose products are

30

sold and delivered within this Commonwealth shall be authorized:

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1

to rent, lease or otherwise acquire space from an importing

2

distributor or bailee for hire authorized by this act at no more

3

than two locations per manufacturer for use of a segregated

4

portion of a warehouse or other storage facility owned or

5

operated by the importing distributor or bailee for hire at

6

which the [out of State] manufacturer may store, repackage and

7

sell malt or brewed beverages to any importing distributor to

8

whom the [out of State] manufacturer has granted distribution

9

rights pursuant to subsection (b) or to any purchaser outside

10

this Commonwealth for delivery outside this Commonwealth; or to

11

ship to its storage facility outside this Commonwealth. Such

12

manufacturer may compensate the importing distributor or bailee

13

for hire for any related storage, repackaging or delivery

14

services. The [out of State] manufacturer must file with the

15

Liquor Control Board the rate of compensation to be paid. A

16

separate written application must be filed to acquire storage

17

licenses, and the board may establish the information that must

18

be provided on the application. The initial filing must be made

19

prior to any payments being made, and any subsequent changes in

20

the rate of compensation must be filed within thirty days of any

21

such change. Nothing in this act authorizing storage facilities

22

for [out of State] manufacturers is intended to make any change

23

in the manner malt or brewed beverages are distributed through

24

the three-tier system.

25

(a.2)  The board shall issue to [a holder of a manufacturer's

26

license] a manufacturer no more than two storage licenses per

27

manufacturer to cover storage facilities separate from the

28

location of the manufacturing facility. A manufacturer may use

29

its storage facilities to receive, store, repackage, sell to an

<--

30

importing distributor or distributor and distribute malt or

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1

brewed beverages in the same manner as it can at its place of

2

manufacture or it may rent, lease or otherwise acquire space

3

from an importing distributor or bailee for hire authorized by

4

this act in the same manner as [an out of State] a manufacturer

5

as set forth in subsection (a.1). No manufacturer may rent,

6

lease or otherwise acquire space for more than two storage

7

facilities under subsection (a.1) or this subsection. A separate

8

written application must be filed to acquire storage licenses,

9

and the board is empowered to establish what information must be

10

provided on that application. Nothing in this act authorizing

11

off-site storage facilities for manufacturers is intended to

12

make any change in the manner malt or brewed beverages are

13

distributed through the three-tier system.

14

(a.3)  An applicant for an out-of-State small manufacturer

<--

15

license shall file a written application with the board in such

16

form and containing such information as the board shall from

17

time to time prescribe. The application and license fees and the

18

restrictions on who may apply for the license shall be the same

19

as the fees and restrictions imposed on in-State small

20

manufacturer applicants. In addition, the out-of-State small

21

manufacturer must obtain a sales tax license from the department

22

prior to submitting the application to the board. The

23

information contained in the application shall be provided by

24

the board to the department upon request. In order to continue

25

to be eligible to hold an out-of-State small manufacturer

26

license, the out-of-State small manufacturer may not produce in

27

excess of seventy-five thousand barrels of malt or brewed

28

beverages per year, as that calculation is defined in section

29

102. No out-of-State small manufacturer licensee or its

30

officers, directors, shareholders or members shall hold any

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1

interest in any other license issued by the board; nor shall any

2

out-of-State manufacturer licensee or its officers, directors,

3

shareholders or members, either directly or indirectly, lend

4

moneys, credit or equivalent thereof, to any other licensee; nor

5

shall any out-of-State manufacturer licensee or it officers,

6

directors, shareholders or members guarantee the payment of any

7

bond, mortgage, note or other obligations of any other licensee;

8

nor shall any out-of-State manufacturer licensee or its

9

officers, directors, shareholders or members be the owner,

10

proprietor or lessor of any place for which any other license

11

has been issued by the board. Out-of-State small manufacturer

12

licensees are deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of

13

the board, any other Commonwealth agency and the courts of this

14

Commonwealth for purposes of enforcement of this section and any

15

related laws, rules or regulations. Out-of-State small

16

manufacturer licensees are subject to citation by the

17

enforcement bureau under section 471 and nonrenewal by the board

18

under section 470. The department may promulgate regulations

19

requiring the filing of periodic reports by out-of-State small

20

manufacturers to ensure compliance with the provisions of this

21

section. A holder of an out-of-State small manufacturer license

22

may deliver malt or brewed beverages it has manufactured to any

23

holder of any retail license issued by the board. In doing so,

24

the out-of-State small manufacturer must use its own vehicles

25

and may not, in the Commonwealth, use the services of a

26

transporter-for-hire or other commercial carrier. If the out-of-

27

State small manufacturer chooses to self-distribute in this

28

Commonwealth, it is not permitted to utilize storage services or

29

facilities otherwise available under section 431(a.1).

30

(a.3)  In order to continue to be eligible as a small

<--

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1

manufacturer, the small manufacturer may not produce in excess

2

of seventy-five thousand barrels of malt or brewed beverages per

3

year, as calculated under section 102. The board shall certify

4

that a manufacturer is eligible as a small manufacturer upon the

5

written request of the manufacturer, on a form prescribed by the

6

board, for such certification. A request for certification may

7

be submitted by a manufacturer that holds a manufacturer's

8

license and believes it is eligible as a small manufacturer or

9

it may be submitted by a manufacturer for a manufacturer's

10

license.

11

(a.4)  A small manufacturer that is located outside of this

12

Commonwealth and holds a manufacturer's license is deemed to

13

have submitted to the jurisdiction of the board, any other

14

Commonwealth agency and the courts of this Commonwealth for

15

purposes of enforcement of this section and any related laws,

16

rules or regulations. The small manufacturer shall also be

17

subject to citation by the enforcement bureau under section 471

18

and nonrenewal by the board under section 470. The Department of

19

Revenue may promulgate regulations requiring the filing of

20

periodic reports by a small manufacturer subject to the

21

provisions of this subsection to ensure compliance with the

22

provisions of this section.

23

(a.5)  A small manufacturer that holds a valid manufacturer's

24

license may deliver malt or brewed beverages it has manufactured

25

to any holder of any retail license issued by the board if it

26

uses its own vehicles. A small manufacturer may not use the

27

services of a transporter-for-hire or other commercial carrier

28

to deliver malt or brewed beverages in this Commonwealth. A

29

small manufacturer that delivers malt or brewed beverages under

30

this subsection shall not be entitled to utilize storage

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1

services or facilities otherwise available under subsection

2

(a.1) or (a.2).

3

(b)  The board shall issue to any reputable person who

4

applies therefor, and pays the license fee hereinafter

5

prescribed, a distributor's or importing distributor's license

6

for the place which such person desires to maintain for the sale

7

of malt or brewed beverages, not for consumption on the premises

8

where sold, and in quantities of not less than a case or

9

original containers containing one hundred twenty-eight ounces

10

or more which may be sold separately as prepared for the market

11

by the manufacturer at the place of manufacture. The board shall

12

have the discretion to refuse a license to any person or to any

13

corporation, partnership or association if such person, or any

14

officer or director of such corporation, or any member or

15

partner of such partnership or association shall have been

16

convicted or found guilty of a felony within a period of five

17

years immediately preceding the date of application for the said

18

license: And provided further, That, in the case of any new

19

license or the transfer of any license to a new location, the

20

board may, in its discretion, grant or refuse such new license

21

or transfer if such place proposed to be licensed is within

22

three hundred feet of any church, hospital, charitable

23

institution, school or public playground, or if such new license

24

or transfer is applied for a place which is within two hundred

25

feet of any other premises which is licensed by the board: And

26

provided further, That the board shall refuse any application

27

for a new license or the transfer of any license to a new

28

location if, in the board's opinion, such new license or

29

transfer would be detrimental to the welfare, health, peace and

30

morals of the inhabitants of the neighborhood within a radius of

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1

five hundred feet of the place proposed to be licensed. The

2

board shall refuse any application for a new license or the

3

transfer of any license to a location where the sale of liquid

4

fuels or oil is conducted. The board may enter into an agreement

5

with the applicant concerning additional restrictions on the

6

license in question. If the board and the applicant enter into

7

such an agreement, such agreement shall be binding on the

8

applicant. Failure by the applicant to adhere to the agreement

9

will be sufficient cause to form the basis for a citation under

10

section 471 and for the nonrenewal of the license under section

11

470. If the board enters into an agreement with an applicant

12

concerning additional restrictions, those restrictions shall be

13

binding on subsequent holders of the license until the license

14

is transferred to a new location or until the board enters into

15

a subsequent agreement removing those restrictions. If the

16

application in question involves a location previously licensed

17

by the board, then any restrictions imposed by the board on the

18

previous license at that location shall be binding on the

19

applicant unless the board enters into a new agreement

20

rescinding those restrictions. The board shall require notice to

21

be posted on the property or premises upon which the licensee or

22

proposed licensee will engage in sales of malt or brewed

23

beverages. This notice shall be similar to the notice required

24

of hotel, restaurant and club liquor licensees.

25

Except as hereinafter provided, such license shall authorize

26

the holder thereof to sell or deliver malt or brewed beverages

27

in quantities above specified anywhere within the Commonwealth

28

of Pennsylvania, which, in the case of distributors, have been

29

purchased only from persons licensed under this act as small 

30

manufacturers or importing distributors, and in the case of

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1

importing distributors, have been purchased from manufacturers

2

or persons outside this Commonwealth engaged in the legal sale

3

of malt or brewed beverages or from manufacturers or importing

4

distributors licensed under this article. In the case of an

5

importing distributor, the holder of such a license shall be

6

authorized to store and repackage malt or brewed beverages owned

7

by a manufacturer at a segregated portion of a warehouse or

8

other storage facility authorized by section 441(d) and operated

9

by the importing distributor within its appointed territory and

10

deliver such beverages to another importing distributor who has

11

been granted distribution rights by the manufacturer as provided

12

herein. The importing distributor shall be permitted to receive

13

a fee from the manufacturer for any related storage, repackaging

14

or delivery services. In the case of a bailee for hire hired by

15

a manufacturer, the holder of such a permit shall be authorized:

16

to receive, store and repackage malt or brewed beverages

17

produced by that manufacturer for sale by that manufacturer to

18

importing distributors to whom that manufacturer has given

19

distribution rights pursuant to this subsection or to purchasers

20

outside this Commonwealth for delivery outside this

21

Commonwealth; or to ship to that manufacturer's storage

22

facilities outside this Commonwealth. The bailee for hire shall

23

be permitted to receive a fee from the manufacturer for any

24

related storage, repackaging or delivery services. The bailee

25

for hire shall, as required in Article V of this act, keep

26

complete and accurate records of all transactions, inventory,

27

receipts and shipments and make all records and the licensed

28

areas available for inspection by the board and for the

29

Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement,

30

during normal business hours.

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1

Each [out of State] manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages,

2

excluding small manufacturers, whose products are sold and

3

delivered in this Commonwealth shall give distributing rights

4

for such products in designated geographical areas to specific

5

importing distributors, and such importing distributor shall not

6

sell or deliver malt or brewed beverages manufactured by the

7

[out of State] manufacturer to any person issued a license under

8

the provisions of this act whose licensed premises are not

9

located within the geographical area for which he has been given

10

distributing rights by such manufacturer. Should a licensee

11

accept the delivery of such malt or brewed beverages in

12

violation of this section, said licensee shall be subject to a

13

suspension of his license for at least thirty days: Provided,

14

That the importing distributor holding such distributing rights

15

for such product shall not sell or deliver the same to another

16

importing distributor without first having entered into a

17

written agreement with the said secondary importing distributor

18

setting forth the terms and conditions under which such products

19

are to be resold within the territory granted to the primary

20

importing distributor by the manufacturer.

21

When a [Pennsylvania] small manufacturer of malt or brewed

22

beverages licensed under this article names or constitutes a

23

distributor or importing distributor as the primary or original

24

supplier of his product, he shall also designate the specific

25

geographical area for which the said distributor or importing

26

distributor is given distributing rights, and such distributor

27

or importing distributor shall not sell or deliver the products

28

of such manufacturer to any person issued a license under the

29

provisions of this act whose licensed premises are not located

30

within the geographical area for which distributing rights have

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1

been given to the distributor and importing distributor by the

2

said manufacturer: Provided, That the importing distributor

3

holding such distributing rights for such product shall not sell

4

or deliver the same to another importing distributor without

5

first having entered into a written agreement with the said

6

secondary importing distributor setting forth the terms and

7

conditions under which such products are to be resold within the

8

territory granted to the primary importing distributor by the

9

manufacturer. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to

10

prevent any manufacturer from authorizing the importing

11

distributor holding the distributing rights for a designated

12

geographical area from selling the products of such manufacturer

13

to another importing distributor also holding distributing

14

rights from the same manufacturer for another geographical area,

15

providing such authority be contained in writing and a copy

16

thereof be given to each of the importing distributors so

17

affected.

18

(b.1)  (1)  Any person in this Commonwealth or elsewhere who

19

shall purchase or in any manner whatsoever acquire or otherwise

20

succeed to the business of a manufacturer, assets or rights to

21

import, market, ship into this Commonwealth or distribute a

22

brand of beer, or to use and exploit any trademark incorporated

23

as part of a brand of beer produced by such a manufacturer shall

24

be obligated to all terms of the manufacturer's franchise

25

agreements in effect on the effective date of the purchase,

26

acquisition or succession, or, if earlier, at the time the

27

agreement contemplating the purchase, acquisition or succession

28

is actually made.

29

(2)  "Purchase" or "acquisition," for purposes of this

30

section, includes, but is not limited to, a purchase,

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1

acquisition, lease, license or assignment of all or a

2

controlling interest in the capital stock or operating assets,

3

including brand trademarks rights; merger; any corporate

4

reorganization or consolidation; and also, without limitation,

5

any license, cross-license, joint venture or other agreement or

6

arrangement, directly or indirectly, transferring, substituting

7

or materially changing the person or persons authorized by the

8

one owning or controlling a brand or any trademark as part of a

9

brand, to produce, import, ship, market or distribute the brand

10

of beer into or within this Commonwealth.

11

(3)  "Manufacturer," as used in this subsection, shall mean

12

any person, including any agent of such person, who (i) is

13

licensed as a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages located

14

within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (ii) holds a

15

distributor or importing distributor license, or (iii)

16

manufactures any malt beverage, has title to any malt beverage

17

products or has the contractual right to distribute any malt

18

beverage product, whether licensed in this Commonwealth or not,

19

who enters into an "agreement" with any importing distributor

20

licensed to do business in this Commonwealth.

21

(c)  The aforesaid licenses shall be issued only to reputable

22

individuals, partnerships and associations who are, or whose

23

members are, citizens of the United States and [have for two

<--

24

years prior to the date of their applications been] are 

<--

25

residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or to reputable

26

corporations organized or duly registered under the laws of the

27

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Such licenses shall be issued to

28

corporations duly organized or registered under the laws of the

29

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania only when it appears that all of

30

the officers and directors of the corporation are citizens of

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1

the United States and [have been] are residents of the

2

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania [for a period of at least two years

3

prior to the date of application], and that at least fifty-one

4

per centum of the capital stock of such corporation is actually

5

owned by individuals who are citizens of the United States and

6

[have been] are residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

7

[for a period of at least two years prior to the date of

8

application]: Provided, That the provisions of this subsection

9

with respect to residence requirements shall not apply to

10

individuals, partners, officers, directors and owners of capital

11

stock, of corporations licensed or applying for licenses as

12

manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages, nor shall the

13

provisions of this subsection with respect to stockholder

14

requirements apply to corporations licensed or applying for

15

licenses as manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages.

16

(d)  (1)  All distributing rights as hereinabove required

17

shall be in writing, shall be equitable in their provisions and

18

shall be substantially similar as to terms and conditions with

19

all other distributing rights agreements between the

20

manufacturer giving such agreement and its other importing

21

distributors and distributors shall not be modified, cancelled,

22

terminated or rescinded by the manufacturer without good cause,

23

and shall contain a provision in substance or effect as follows:

24

"The manufacturer recognizes that the importing distributor and

25

distributor are free to manage their business in the manner the

26

importing distributor and distributor deem best and that this

27

prerogative vests in the importing distributor and distributor

28

the exclusive right to establish a selling price, to select the

29

brands of malt or brewed beverages they wish to handle and to

30

determine the efforts and resources which the importing

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1

distributor and distributor will exert to develop and promote

2

the same of the manufacturer's products handled by the importing

3

distributor and distributor. However, the manufacturer expects

4

that the importing distributor and distributor will price

5

competitively the products handled by them, devote reasonable

6

effort and resources to the sale of such products and maintain a

7

reasonable sales level." "Good cause" shall mean the failure by

8

any party to an agreement, without reasonable excuse or

9

justification, to comply substantially with an essential,

10

reasonable and commercially acceptable requirement imposed by

11

the other party under the terms of an agreement.

12

(2)  After January 1, 1980, no manufacturer shall enter into

13

any agreement with more than one distributor or importing

14

distributor for the purpose of establishing more than one

15

agreement for designated brand or brands of malt or brewed

16

beverages in any one territory. Each franchise territory which

17

is granted by a manufacturer shall be geographically contiguous.

18

All importing distributors shall maintain sufficient records to

19

evidence compliance of this section. With regard to any

20

territorial distribution authority granted to an importing

21

distributor by a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages after

22

January 1, 1996, the records shall establish that each and every

23

case of a brand of malt or brewed beverages for which the

24

importing distributor is assigned was sold, resold, stored,

25

delivered or transported by the importing distributor, either

26

from a point or to a point with the assigned geographically

27

contiguous territory, to any person or persons, whether such

28

person or persons are licensed by this act or not licensed by

29

this act.

30

(3)  Except for discontinuance of a brand or a valid

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1

termination for good cause, the purchaser of the assets of the

2

manufacturer as defined in this act shall become obligated to

3

all the territorial and brand designations of the agreement in

4

effect on the date of purchase. Purchase of assets as defined

5

for the purposes of this act shall include, but not be limited

6

to, the sale of stock, sale of assets, merger, lease, transfer

7

or consolidation.

8

(4)  The court of common pleas of the county wherein the

9

licensed premises of the importing distributor or distributor

10

are located is hereby vested with jurisdiction and power to

11

enjoin the modification, rescission, cancellation or termination

12

of a franchise or agreement between a manufacturer and an

13

importing distributor or distributor at the instance of such

14

importing distributor or distributor who is or might be

15

adversely affected by such modification, rescission,

16

cancellation or termination, and in granting an injunction the

17

court shall provide that no manufacturer shall supply the

18

customers or territory of the importing distributor or

19

distributor by servicing the territory or customers through

20

other importing distributors or distributors or any other means

21

while the injunction is in effect: Provided, however, That any

22

injunction issued under this subsection shall require the

23

posting of sufficient bond against damages arising from an

24

injunction improvidently granted and a showing that the danger

25

of irrevocable loss or damage is immediate and that during the

26

pendency of such injunction the importing distributor or

27

distributor shall continue to service the accounts of the

28

manufacturer in good faith.

29

(5)  The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to

30

[Pennsylvania] small manufacturers [whose principal place of

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1

business is located in Pennsylvania] unless they name or

2

constitute a distributor or importing distributor as a primary

3

or original supplier of their products subsequent to the

4

effective date of this act, or unless such [Pennsylvania] small 

5

manufacturers have named or constituted a distributor or

6

importing distributor as a primary or original supplier of their

7

products prior to the effective date of this act, and which

8

status is continuing when this act becomes effective.

9

(e)  In addition to the fees under section 614-A of the act

10

of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative

11

Code of 1929," the board shall assess a fee surcharge of ninety-

12

five dollars ($95.00) for a distributor's license and a fee

13

surcharge of four hundred seventy dollars ($470.00) for an

14

importing distributor's license and a fee surcharge of seventy-

15

five dollars ($75.00) for brand registration. Money collected

16

under this subsection shall be placed in a restricted account in

17

The State Stores Fund. The board may use the money in this

18

account to implement section 216. In the event the provisions of

19

section 447(a)(2) and/or (c) are held invalid, then this

20

subsection shall be void and shall not apply.

21

(f)  (1)  Any malt or brewed beverage produced outside this

22

Commonwealth that is repackaged by a bailee for hire or

23

importing distributor on behalf of an out of State manufacturer

24

must be returned to the out of State manufacturer and come to

25

rest out of State before it may reenter this Commonwealth. Such

26

repackaged malt or brewed beverages must be distributed through

27

the three-tier system. Any malt or brewed beverage that is

28

repackaged by a bailee for hire or importing distributor on

29

behalf of an in State manufacturer must be returned to the in

30

State manufacturer and come to rest at the in State

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1

manufacturer's licensed facility.

2

(2)  For purposes of this section, "repackage" shall mean any

3

change or alteration to the containers or container

4

configuration of a case.

5

Section 3.  Section 431.1(d) of the act, added February 21,

6

2002 (P.L.103, No.10), is amended to read:

7

Section 431.1.  Malt and Brewed Beverages Alternating

8

Brewers' Licenses.--* * *

9

(d)  Malt and brewed beverages manufactured under the

10

authority of an alternating brewer's license must be distributed

11

in this Commonwealth only through specific importing

12

distributors who shall first have been given distributor rights

13

for such products in designated geographical areas through the

14

distribution system required for [out-of-State] manufacturers

15

under section 431(b) as well as all other pertinent sections of

16

this act. The alternating brewer must comply with section 444.

17

* * *

18

Section 4.  Section 441(g) of the act, added December 20,

19

1996 (P.L.1513, No.196), is amended to read:

20

Section 441.  Distributors' and Importing Distributors'

21

Restrictions on Sales, Storage, Etc.--* * *

22

(g)  All malt or brewed beverages purchased by an importing

23

distributor from a [Pennsylvania] manufacturer of malt or brewed

24

beverages [or from any person located outside this Commonwealth] 

25

for resale shall be invoiced to the importing distributor, shall

26

come physically into the possession of such importing

27

distributor and shall be unloaded into and distributed from the

28

licensed premises of such importing distributor. The board may

29

act to further define and control the storage and distribution

30

of malt or brewed beverages in conformity with this section and

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1

this act.

2

Section 5.  Section 446 of the act, amended June 30, 1992

3

(P.L.327, No.66), May 31, 1996 (P.L.312, No.49) and January 6,

4

2006 (P.L.1, No.1), is amended to read:

5

Section 446.  Breweries.--Holders of a brewery license may:

6

(1)  Sell malt or brewed beverages produced and owned by the

7

brewery on the licensed premises under such conditions and

8

regulations as the board may enforce, to individuals for

9

consumption on the premises [and]. Additionally, a small

10

manufacturer may sell malt or brewed beverages produced and

11

owned by the brewery on the licensed premises under such

12

conditions and regulations as the board may enforce to hotel,

13

restaurant, club and public service liquor licensees.

14

(2)  Operate a restaurant or brewery pub on the licensed

15

premises under such conditions and regulations as the board may

16

enforce: Provided, however, That sales on Sunday may be made

17

irrespective of the volume of food sales if the licensed

18

premises are at a public venue location. The holder of a brewery

19

license may sell at its brewery pub premises Pennsylvania wines

20

it has purchased from either the holder of a Pennsylvania

21

limited winery license or from the board: Provided, however,

22

That said wines must be consumed at the licensed brewery pub

23

premises.

24

(3)  Use brewery storage and distribution facilities for the

25

purpose of receiving, storing and distributing malt or brewed

26

beverages manufactured outside this Commonwealth if the

27

beverages are distributed in this Commonwealth only through

28

specific importing distributors who shall have first been given

29

distributing rights for such products in designated geographical

30

areas through the distribution system required for [out-of-

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1

State] manufacturers under section 431(b) as well as all other

2

pertinent sections of this act. The manufacturer of the

3

beverages must comply with section 444.

4

(4)  Apply for and hold a hotel liquor license, a restaurant

5

liquor license or a malt and brewed beverages retail license to

6

sell for consumption at the restaurant or brewery pub on the

7

licensed brewery premises, liquor, wine and malt or brewed

8

beverages regardless of the place of manufacture, under the same

9

conditions and regulations as any other hotel liquor license,

10

restaurant liquor license or malt and brewed beverages retail

11

license, but must brew at least two hundred fifty barrels per

12

year. Each holder of a brewery license who receives a hotel

13

liquor license, a restaurant liquor license or a malt or brewed

14

beverages retail license to operate a brew pub shall not sell

15

directly to any person licensed by this act, except if any malt

16

or brewed beverage is to be distributed in this Commonwealth it

17

shall be only through specific importing distributors who shall

18

have first been given distributing rights for such products in

19

designated geographical areas through the distribution system

20

required for [out-of-State] manufacturers under section 431(b)

21

as well as all other pertinent sections of this act.

22

Section 6.  The provisions of this act are severable. If any

23

provision of this act or its application to any person or

24

circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect

25

other provisions or applications of this act which can be given

26

effect without the invalid provision or application.

27

Section 7.  This act shall take effect December 31, 2009. as

<--

28

follows:

29

(1)  The requirement in section 431(b) that certain

30

manufacturers are required to give distribution rights for

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1

their products in this Commonwealth shall take effect in 150

2

days.

3

(2)  This section shall take effect immediately.

4

(3)  The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60

5

days.

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