SENATE AMENDED

 

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 311, 2074, 2326

PRINTER'S NO.  3911

  

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

  

  

SENATOR PIPPY, LAW AND JUSTICE, IN SENATE, AS AMENDED, JUNE 15, 2010   

  

  

  

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 a definition to read:

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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

"Contract brewing" shall mean the arrangement by which a

<--

25

manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages hires or contracts with

26

another manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages to produce its

27

malt or brewed beverage.

28

* * *

29

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

30

engage in the purchase only from [Pennsylvania] small certain 

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- 2 -

 


1

manufacturers authorized by subsection (a.3) and certified by

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2

the board and from importing distributors and the resale of malt

3

or brewed beverages, except to importing distributors and

4

distributors, in the original sealed containers as prepared for

5

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

6

not for consumption on the premises where sold, and in

7

quantities of not less than a case or original containers

8

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

9

sold separately.

10

* * *

11

"Small manufacturer" shall mean a manufacturer with a maximum

<--

12

production of seventy-five thousand barrels of malt or brewed

13

beverages per year. In determining the annual production, the 

14

small manufacturer shall include a portion of the production of

15

any other manufacturer who holds, directly or indirectly, an

16

ownership interest in it or with whom it has a distribution

17

agreement in this Commonwealth. If another manufacturer holds,

18

directly or indirectly, an ownership interest in the small

19

manufacturer, the percentage of that interest shall be applied

20

to the manufacturer's total production of malt or brewed

21

beverage products to determine the amount that shall be included

22

in determining the maximum production for the small

23

manufacturer. If the small manufacturer has a distribution

24

agreement with a larger manufacturer for distribution in this

25

Commonwealth, the distributing manufacturer's total distribution

26

in this Commonwealth shall be added to the small manufacturer's

27

production to determine whether the seventy-five thousand barrel

28

mark has been reached. Only malt or brewed beverages for which

29

the small manufacturer is responsible for paying the malt

30

beverage tax shall be considered in calculating the total number

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1

of barrels produced per year by the small manufacturer.

2

* * *

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

Section 431.  Malt and Brewed Beverages Manufacturers',

7

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

8

board shall issue to any person a resident of this Commonwealth

9

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

10

hereinafter prescribed, a manufacturer's license to produce and

11

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

12

deliver malt or brewed beverages from the place of manufacture

13

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

14

case or original containers containing one hundred twenty-eight

15

ounces or more which may be sold separately anywhere within the

16

Commonwealth. The application for such license shall be in such

17

form and contain such information as the board shall require.

18

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

19

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

20

its principal place of business, within the Commonwealth daily

21

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

22

materials received and used in the manufacture of malt or brewed

23

beverages and the quantities of malt or brewed beverages

24

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

25

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

26

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

27

the names and addresses of the purchasers or other recipients

28

thereof. Every place licensed as a manufacturer shall be subject

29

to inspection by members of the board or by persons duly

30

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

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1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

members of the board or by persons duly authorized and

7

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

8

authorized agents shall have the right, without hindrance, to

9

enter any place which is subject to inspection hereunder or any

10

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

11

inspections and making transcripts thereof. Whenever any checks

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

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

18

herein required within ten days after demand has been made by

19

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

20

the board by the Department of Revenue or the Department of

21

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

22

shall immediately become invalid and shall remain invalid until

23

payment and all charges are received by the board.

24

(a.1)  [Any [out of State] Except for manufacturers certified

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25

by the board to engage in self-distribution, any manufacturer

26

whose products are sold and delivered within this Commonwealth

27

shall be authorized: to rent, lease or otherwise acquire space

28

from an importing distributor or bailee for hire authorized by

29

this act at no more than two locations per manufacturer for use

30

of a segregated portion of a warehouse or other storage facility

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1

owned or operated by the importing distributor or bailee for

2

hire at which the [out of State] manufacturer may store,

3

repackage and sell malt or brewed beverages to any importing

4

distributor to whom the [out of State] manufacturer has granted

5

distribution rights pursuant to subsection (b) or to any

6

purchaser outside this Commonwealth for delivery outside this

7

Commonwealth; or to ship to its storage facility outside this

8

Commonwealth. Such manufacturer may compensate the importing

9

distributor or bailee for hire for any related storage,

10

repackaging or delivery services. The [out of State] 

11

manufacturer must file with the Liquor Control Board the rate of

12

compensation to be paid. No manufacturer may rent, lease or

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13

otherwise acquire space for more than two storage facilities. A

14

separate written application must be filed to acquire storage

15

licenses, and the board may establish the information that must

16

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

17

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

18

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

19

such change. Nothing in this act authorizing storage facilities

20

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

21

in the manner malt or brewed beverages are distributed through

22

the three-tier system.

23

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

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24

manufacturer's license] a manufacturer no more than two storage

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25

licenses per manufacturer to cover storage facilities separate

26

from the location of the manufacturing facility. A manufacturer

27

may use its storage facilities to receive, store, repackage,

28

sell to an importing distributor or distributor and distribute

<--

29

malt or brewed beverages in the same manner as it can at its

30

place of manufacture or it may rent, lease or otherwise acquire

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1

space from an importing distributor or bailee for hire

2

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

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3

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

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4

may rent, lease or otherwise acquire space for more than two

5

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

6

separate written application must be filed to acquire storage

7

licenses, and the board is empowered to establish what

8

information must be provided on that application. Nothing in

9

this act authorizing off-site storage facilities for

10

manufacturers is intended to make any change in the manner malt

11

or brewed beverages are distributed through the three-tier

12

system.]

<--

13

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

<--

14

manufacturer, the small manufacturer may not produce in excess

15

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

16

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

17

that a manufacturer is eligible as a small manufacturer upon the

18

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

19

board, for such certification. A request for certification may

20

be submitted by a manufacturer that holds a manufacturer's

21

license and believes it is eligible as a small manufacturer or

22

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

23

license.

24

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

25

Commonwealth and holds a manufacturer's license is deemed to

26

have submitted to the jurisdiction of the board, any other

27

Commonwealth agency and the courts of this Commonwealth for

28

purposes of enforcement of this section and any related laws,

29

rules or regulations. The small manufacturer shall also be

30

subject to citation by the enforcement bureau under section 471

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1

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

2

Revenue may promulgate regulations requiring the filing of

3

periodic reports by a small manufacturer subject to the

4

provisions of this subsection to ensure compliance with the

5

provisions of this section.

6

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

7

license may deliver malt or brewed beverages it has manufactured

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

to deliver malt or brewed beverages in this Commonwealth. A

12

small manufacturer that delivers malt or brewed beverages under

13

this subsection shall not be entitled to utilize storage

14

services or facilities otherwise available under subsection

15

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

16

(a.3)  Any manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages that

<--

17

holds a valid manufacturer's license and whose total production

18

in the prior calendar year did not exceed one hundred fifty

19

thousand barrels and which has been certified by the board as

20

eligible to engage in self-distribution may deliver annually up

21

to seventy-five thousand barrels of malt or brewed beverages

22

that is has manufactured or has had contract-brewed for it,

23

excluding malt or brewed beverages that it has contract-brewed

24

for another, directly to any holder of any hotel, club,

25

restaurant, eating place retail dispenser, importing distributor

26

or distributor license issued by the board. A manufacturer of

27

malt or brewed beverages that engages in self-distribution may

28

use its own vehicles, leased vehicles or the services of a

29

transporter for hire or other common carrier to deliver such

30

quantity of this malt or brewed beverages to the holder of any

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1

hotel, club, restaurant, eating place retail dispenser,

2

importing distributor or distributor license issued by the board

3

in this Commonwealth. A manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages

4

that engages in self-distribution may not terminate its primary

5

relationship with an importing distributor in favor of self-

6

distribution of any brand or brands previously distributed by

7

such importing distributor unless the termination complies with

8

section 431(d)(4).

9

(a.4)  In order to be eligible and continue to be eligible

10

for the self-distribution rights set forth in this section, a

11

manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages must submit information

12

as required by the board on a form and at such times as

13

prescribed by the board. This information shall include a

14

certification that total production did not exceed one hundred

15

fifty thousand barrels in the prior calendar year and

16

affirmation that self-distribution will not exceed the annual

17

barrelage limits set forth in this section. The board shall

18

review the written request of the manufacturer and grant

19

certification if the manufacturer meets the requirement of this

20

section. In determining the annual barrel production, the board

21

shall include a portion or the production of any other

22

manufacturer who holds, directly or indirectly, an ownership

23

interest in this applicant or with whom this applicant has a

24

distribution agreement in this Commonwealth. If another

25

manufacturer holds, directly or indirectly, an ownership

26

interest in the applicant, the percentage of that interest shall

27

be multiplied by the owning manufacturer's total production of

28

malt or brewed beverage products to determine the amount that

29

shall be added in determining the production of the applicant.

30

If the applicant has a distribution agreement with another

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1

manufacturer for distribution in this Commonwealth, the

2

distributing manufacturer's total self-distribution in this

3

Commonwealth shall be added to the manufacturer's self-

4

distribution to determine whether the seventy-five thousand

5

barrel mark has been reached. Only such malt or brewed beverages

6

for which the manufacturer is responsible for paying the malt

7

beverage tax shall be considered in calculating the total number

8

of barrels produced per year by the manufacturer, except to the

9

extent provided in this subsection for adjustment in the case of

10

an owning manufacturer or a manufacturer with which it has a

11

distribution agreement.

12

(a.5)  Prior to being certified to engage in self-

13

distribution, a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages that

14

holds a manufacturer's license, if not already registered in

15

this Commonwealth, shall obtain a certificate of authority to do

16

business in this Commonwealth from the Corporation Bureau of the

17

Department of State. By submitting an application to engage in

18

self-distribution, a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages is

19

deemed to have submitted to the jurisdiction of the board, any

20

other Commonwealth agency and the courts of this Commonwealth

21

for purposes of enforcement of this section and any related

22

laws, rules or regulations. The manufacturer shall also be

23

subject to and comply with section 444. The Department of

24

Revenue may promulgate regulations requiring the filing of

25

periodic reports by any manufacturer subject to this subsection

26

to ensure compliance with this section.

27

(a.6)  A manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages that has

28

been certified as eligible to engage in self-distribution may

29

distribute malt or brewed beverages it has manufactured to the

30

holder of any importing distributor, distributor or hotel, club,

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1

restaurant, eating place retail dispenser license issued by the

2

board if it uses its own vehicles which are marked and

3

identified as required pursuant to board regulations, or uses

4

the services of a transporter-for-hire. A manufacturer that

5

distributes malt or brewed beverages under this subsection shall

6

not be entitled to utilize for sales or deliveries to importing

7

distributor, distributor or hotel, club, restaurant or eating

8

place retail dispenser licensees storage services or facilities

9

otherwise available under subsection (a.1).

10

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

11

applies therefor, and pays the license fee hereinafter

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

original containers containing one hundred twenty-eight ounces

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

corporation, partnership or association if such person, or any

21

officer or director of such corporation, or any member or

22

partner of such partnership or association shall have been

23

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

24

years immediately preceding the date of application for the said

25

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

26

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

27

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

28

or transfer if such place proposed to be licensed is within

29

three hundred feet of any church, hospital, charitable

30

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

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1

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

2

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

3

provided further, That the board shall refuse any application

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

morals of the inhabitants of the neighborhood within a radius of

8

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

9

board shall refuse any application for a new license or the

10

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

11

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

12

with the applicant concerning additional restrictions on the

13

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

14

such an agreement, such agreement shall be binding on the

15

applicant. Failure by the applicant to adhere to the agreement

16

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

17

section 471 and for the nonrenewal of the license under section

18

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

19

concerning additional restrictions, those restrictions shall be

20

binding on subsequent holders of the license until the license

21

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

22

a subsequent agreement removing those restrictions. If the

23

application in question involves a location previously licensed

24

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

25

previous license at that location shall be binding on the

26

applicant unless the board enters into a new agreement

27

rescinding those restrictions. The board shall require notice to

28

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

29

proposed licensee will engage in sales of malt or brewed

30

beverages. This notice shall be similar to the notice required

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1

of hotel, restaurant and club liquor licensees.

2

Except as hereinafter provided, such license shall authorize

3

the holder thereof to sell or deliver malt or brewed beverages

4

in quantities above specified anywhere within the Commonwealth

5

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

6

purchased only from persons licensed under this act as small 

<--

7

manufacturers or importing distributors, and in the case of

8

importing distributors, have been purchased from manufacturers

9

or persons outside this Commonwealth engaged in the legal sale

10

of malt or brewed beverages or from manufacturers or importing

11

distributors licensed under this article. In the case of an

12

importing distributor, the holder of such a license shall be

13

authorized to store and repackage malt or brewed beverages owned

14

by a manufacturer at a segregated portion of a warehouse or

15

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

16

by the importing distributor within its appointed territory and

17

deliver such beverages to another importing distributor who has

18

been granted distribution rights by the manufacturer as provided

19

herein. The importing distributor shall be permitted to receive

20

a fee from the manufacturer for any related storage, repackaging

21

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

22

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

23

to receive, store and repackage malt or brewed beverages

24

produced by that manufacturer for sale by that manufacturer to

25

importing distributors to whom that manufacturer has given

26

distribution rights pursuant to this subsection or to purchasers

27

outside this Commonwealth for delivery outside this

28

Commonwealth; or to ship to that manufacturer's storage

29

facilities outside this Commonwealth. The bailee for hire shall

30

be permitted to receive a fee from the manufacturer for any

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1

related storage, repackaging or delivery services. The bailee

2

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

3

complete and accurate records of all transactions, inventory,

4

receipts and shipments and make all records and the licensed

5

areas available for inspection by the board and for the

6

Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement,

7

during normal business hours.

8

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

9

excluding small manufacturers except for those manufacturers of

<--

10

malt or brewed beverages certified as eligible to engage in

11

self-distribution, whose products are sold and delivered in this

12

Commonwealth shall give distributing rights for such products in

13

designated geographical areas to specific importing

14

distributors, and such importing distributor shall not sell or

15

deliver malt or brewed beverages manufactured by the [out of

16

State] manufacturer to any person issued a license under the

17

provisions of this act whose licensed premises are not located

18

within the geographical area for which he has been given

19

distributing rights by such manufacturer. Should a licensee

20

accept the delivery of such malt or brewed beverages in

21

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

22

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

23

That the importing distributor holding such distributing rights

24

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

25

importing distributor without first having entered into a

26

written agreement with the said secondary importing distributor

27

setting forth the terms and conditions under which such products

28

are to be resold within the territory granted to the primary

29

importing distributor by the manufacturer.

30

When a [Pennsylvania] small manufacturer of malt or brewed

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1

beverages licensed under this article names or constitutes a

2

distributor or importing distributor as the primary or original

3

supplier of his product, he shall also designate the specific

4

geographical area for which the said distributor or importing

5

distributor is given distributing rights, and such distributor

6

or importing distributor shall not sell or deliver the products

7

of such manufacturer to any person issued a license under the

8

provisions of this act whose licensed premises are not located

9

within the geographical area for which distributing rights have

10

been given to the distributor and importing distributor by the

11

said manufacturer: Provided, That the importing distributor

12

holding such distributing rights for such product shall not sell

13

or deliver the same to another importing distributor without

14

first having entered into a written agreement with the said

15

secondary importing distributor setting forth the terms and

16

conditions under which such products are to be resold within the

17

territory granted to the primary importing distributor by the

18

manufacturer. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to

19

prevent any manufacturer from authorizing the importing

20

distributor holding the distributing rights for a designated

21

geographical area from selling the products of such manufacturer

22

to another importing distributor also holding distributing

23

rights from the same manufacturer for another geographical area,

24

providing such authority be contained in writing and a copy

25

thereof be given to each of the importing distributors so

26

affected.

27

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

28

shall purchase or in any manner whatsoever acquire or otherwise

29

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

30

import, market, ship into this Commonwealth or distribute a

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1

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

2

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

3

be obligated to all terms of the manufacturer's franchise

4

agreements in effect on the effective date of the purchase,

5

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

6

agreement contemplating the purchase, acquisition or succession

7

is actually made.

8

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

9

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

10

acquisition, lease, license or assignment of all or a

11

controlling interest in the capital stock or operating assets,

12

including brand trademarks rights; merger; any corporate

13

reorganization or consolidation; and also, without limitation,

14

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

15

arrangement, directly or indirectly, transferring, substituting

16

or materially changing the person or persons authorized by the

17

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

18

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

19

of beer into or within this Commonwealth.

20

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

21

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

22

licensed as a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages located

23

within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (ii) holds a

24

distributor or importing distributor license, or (iii)

25

manufactures any malt beverage, has title to any malt beverage

26

products or has the contractual right to distribute any malt

27

beverage product, whether licensed in this Commonwealth or not,

28

who enters into an "agreement" with any importing distributor

29

licensed to do business in this Commonwealth.

30

(b.2)  Any secondary relationship between an importing

<--

- 16 -

 


1

distributor and a manufacturer existing as of the effective date

2

of this subsection shall remain in effect and shall not be

3

subject to this section, except to the extent required by the

4

severability provisions of this amendatory act adding this

5

subsection.

6

(b.3)  Any manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages that

7

brews some or all of its product in a brewery building that is

8

more than one hundred fifty years old and whose principal

9

corporate office is located in that building may engage in

10

direct sales to licensees who are licensed on the effective date

11

of this subsection and whose principal place of business is in

12

the same county as the brewery, and to nonlicensees, all subject

13

to the restrictions stated herein, without the requirement of

14

first being sold to importing distributors and distributors.

15

Sales under this subsection shall be for pickup only at the

16

brewery of product that was brewed in this Commonwealth, and

17

shall be in such quantities and package configurations as are

18

otherwise authorized by law for sale by manufacturers of malt or

19

brewed beverages. Any such product picked up by licensees at the

20

brewery shall not be resold to other licensees whose principal

21

place of business is outside the county where the brewery is

22

located.

23

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

24

individuals, partnerships and associations who are, or whose

25

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

26

years prior to the date of their applications been] are 

27

residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or to reputable

28

corporations organized or duly registered under the laws of the

29

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Such licenses shall be issued to

30

corporations duly organized or registered under the laws of the

- 17 -

 


1

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania only when it appears that all of

2

the officers and directors of the corporation are citizens of

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

per centum of the capital stock of such corporation is actually

7

owned by individuals who are citizens of the United States and

8

[have been] are residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

9

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

10

application]: Provided, That the provisions of this subsection

11

with respect to residence requirements shall not apply to

12

individuals, partners, officers, directors and owners of capital

13

stock, of corporations licensed or applying for licenses as

14

manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages, nor shall the

15

provisions of this subsection with respect to stockholder

16

requirements apply to corporations licensed or applying for

17

licenses as manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages.

18

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

19

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

20

shall be substantially similar as to terms and conditions with

21

all other distributing rights agreements between the

22

manufacturer giving such agreement and its other importing

23

distributors and distributors shall not be modified, cancelled,

24

terminated or rescinded by the manufacturer without good cause,

25

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

26

"The manufacturer recognizes that the importing distributor and

27

distributor are free to manage their business in the manner the

28

importing distributor and distributor deem best and that this

29

prerogative vests in the importing distributor and distributor

30

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

- 18 -

 


1

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

2

determine the efforts and resources which the importing

3

distributor and distributor will exert to develop and promote

4

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

5

distributor and distributor. However, the manufacturer expects

6

that the importing distributor and distributor will price

7

competitively the products handled by them, devote reasonable

8

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

9

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

10

any party to an agreement, without reasonable excuse or

11

justification, to comply substantially with an essential,

12

reasonable and commercially acceptable requirement imposed by

13

the other party under the terms of an agreement.

14

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

15

any agreement with more than one distributor or importing

16

distributor for the purpose of establishing more than one

17

agreement for designated brand or brands of malt or brewed

18

beverages in any one territory. Each franchise territory which

19

is granted by a manufacturer shall be geographically contiguous.

20

All importing distributors shall maintain sufficient records to

21

evidence compliance of this section. With regard to any

22

territorial distribution authority granted to an importing

23

distributor by a manufacturer of malt or brewed beverages after

24

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

25

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

26

importing distributor is assigned was sold, resold, stored,

27

delivered or transported by the importing distributor, either

28

from a point or to a point with the assigned geographically

29

contiguous territory, to any person or persons, whether such

30

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

- 19 -

 


1

this act.

2

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

3

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

4

manufacturer as defined in this act shall become obligated to

5

all the territorial and brand designations of the agreement in

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

or consolidation.

10

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

11

licensed premises of the importing distributor or distributor

12

are located is hereby vested with jurisdiction and power to

13

enjoin the modification, rescission, cancellation or termination

14

of a franchise or agreement between a manufacturer and an

15

importing distributor or distributor at the instance of such

16

importing distributor or distributor who is or might be

17

adversely affected by such modification, rescission,

18

cancellation or termination, and in granting an injunction the

19

court shall provide that no manufacturer shall supply the

20

customers or territory of the importing distributor or

21

distributor by servicing the territory or customers through

22

other importing distributors or distributors or any other means

23

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

24

injunction issued under this subsection shall require the

25

posting of sufficient bond against damages arising from an

26

injunction improvidently granted and a showing that the danger

27

of irrevocable loss or damage is immediate and that during the

28

pendency of such injunction the importing distributor or

29

distributor shall continue to service the accounts of the

30

manufacturer in good faith.

- 20 -

 


1

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

<--

2

[Pennsylvania] small manufacturers [whose principal place of

<--

3

business is located in Pennsylvania] unless they name or

<--

4

constitute a distributor or importing distributor as a primary

5

or original supplier of their products subsequent to the

6

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

<--

7

manufacturers have named or constituted a distributor or

8

importing distributor as a primary or original supplier of their

9

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

10

status is continuing when this act becomes effective.] 

<--

11

Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (1) and section

12

492(19), subject to the limitations set forth in this

13

subsection, unless the parties mutually agree to the contrary in

14

their written agreement, a manufacturer of malt or brewed

15

beverages whose total production in the prior twelve complete

16

calendar months, calculated as set forth in subsection (a.4),

17

did not exceed one hundred fifty thousand barrels of malt or

18

brewed beverages may modify, cancel, terminate or rescind an

19

agreement entered into after the effective date of this

20

subsection with an importing distributor or distributor without

21

good cause as permitted by this subsection. Termination without

22

good cause is permitted only if:

23

(A)  the manufacturer gives prior written notice of the date

24

of termination to the importing distributor or distributor. The

25

date of termination shall be not less than one hundred eighty

26

days after the importing distributor or distributor's receipt of

27

such notice. The notice shall include an affidavit executed by

28

the manufacturer attesting that its total production in the

29

twelve complete calendar months immediately preceding the notice

30

of termination, calculated as set forth in subsection (a.4), did

- 21 -

 


1

not exceed one hundred fifty thousand barrels of malt or brewed

2

beverages;

3

(B)  the brand or brands being terminated represented three

4

per centum or less of the aggregate case equivalent sales volume

5

of malt or brewed beverages sold by the importing distributor or

6

distributor during the twelve complete calendar months set forth

7

in clause (A); and

8

(C)  the manufacturer pays to the importing distributor or

9

distributor prior to the effective date of termination the fair

10

market value of the importing distributor's or distributor's

11

business with respect to the terminated brand or brands.

12

Each importing distributor or distributor who receives a

13

notice of termination shall, within forty-five days after

14

receipt of such notice, provide the manufacturer a written

15

affidavit attesting to the percentage of the total case

16

equivalent sales volume of malt or brewed beverages sold by the

17

importing distributor or distributor that the brand or brands to

18

be terminated represented during the twelve complete calendar

19

months as set forth in clause (A). Failure of an importing

20

distributor or distributor to provide an affidavit to the

21

manufacturer within the forty-five days shall be deemed an

22

admission that the manufacturer represents three per centum or

23

less of the aggregate case equivalent sales volume of malt or

24

brewed beverages sold by the importing distributor or

25

distributor during the prior twelve completed calendar months as

26

set forth in clause (A).

27

If the manufacturer and the importing distributor or

28

distributor cannot agree on the fair market value of the

29

importing distributor's or distributor's business with respect

30

to the terminated brand or brands to be paid, either party may

- 22 -

 


1

bring an action in the court of common pleas to determine such

2

fair market value and to resolve any other issues in dispute.

3

For purposes of this subsection, "fair market value" means the

4

amount a willing seller, under no compulsion to sell, would be

5

willing to accept, and a willing buyer, under no compulsion to

6

purchase, would be willing to pay for the importing

7

distributor's or distributor's business with respect to the

8

terminated brand or brands where both have knowledge of the

9

relevant facts.

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

under this subsection shall be placed in a restricted account in

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

subsection shall be void and shall not apply.

22

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

23

Commonwealth that is repackaged by a bailee for hire or

24

importing distributor on behalf of an out of State manufacturer

25

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

26

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

27

repackaged malt or brewed beverages must be distributed through

28

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

29

repackaged by a bailee for hire or importing distributor on

30

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

- 23 -

 


1

State manufacturer and come to rest at the in State

2

manufacturer's licensed facility.

3

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

4

change or alteration to the containers or container

5

configuration of a case.

6

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

7

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

8

Section 431.1.  Malt and Brewed Beverages Alternating

9

Brewers' Licenses.--* * *

10

(d)  [Malt and brewed beverages manufactured under the

<--

11

authority of an alternating brewer's license must be distributed

12

in this Commonwealth only through specific importing

13

distributors who shall first have been given distributor rights

14

for such products in designated geographical areas through the

15

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

<--

16

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

17

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

<--

18

* * *

19

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

20

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

21

Section 441.  Distributors' and Importing Distributors'

22

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

23

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

24

distributor from a [Pennsylvania] manufacturer of malt or brewed

25

beverages [or from any person located outside this Commonwealth] 

26

for resale shall be invoiced to the importing distributor, shall

27

come physically into the possession of such importing

28

distributor and shall be unloaded into and distributed from the

29

licensed premises of such importing distributor. The board may

30

act to further define and control the storage and distribution

- 24 -

 


1

of malt or brewed beverages in conformity with this section and

2

this act.

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

brewery on the licensed premises under such conditions and

9

regulations as the board may enforce, to individuals for

10

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

<--

11

manufacturer may sell malt or brewed beverages produced and

12

owned by the brewery on the licensed premises under such

13

conditions and regulations as the board may enforce to hotel,

14

restaurant, club and public service liquor licensees.

15

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

16

premises under such conditions and regulations as the board may

17

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

18

irrespective of the volume of food sales if the licensed

19

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

20

license may sell at its brewery pub premises Pennsylvania wines

21

it has purchased from either the holder of a Pennsylvania

22

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

23

That said wines must be consumed at the licensed brewery pub

24

premises.

25

(3)  [Use brewery storage and distribution facilities for the

<--

26

purpose of receiving, storing and distributing malt or brewed

27

beverages manufactured outside this Commonwealth if the

28

beverages are distributed in this Commonwealth only through

29

specific importing distributors who shall have first been given

30

distributing rights for such products in designated geographical

- 25 -

 


1

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

<--

2

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

<--

3

pertinent sections of this act.] The manufacturer of the

<--

4

beverages must comply with section 444.

5

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

6

liquor license or a malt and brewed beverages retail license to

7

sell for consumption at the restaurant or brewery pub on the

8

licensed brewery premises, liquor, wine and malt or brewed

9

beverages regardless of the place of manufacture, under the same

10

conditions and regulations as any other hotel liquor license,

11

restaurant liquor license or malt and brewed beverages retail

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

beverages retail license to operate a brew pub shall not sell

16

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

17

or brewed beverage is to be distributed in this Commonwealth it

18

shall be only through specific importing distributors who shall

19

have first been given distributing rights for such products in

20

designated geographical areas through the distribution system

21

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

22

as well as all other pertinent sections of this act.

23

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

<--

24

provision of this act or its application to any person or

25

circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect

26

other provisions or applications of this act which can be given

27

effect without the invalid provision or application.

28

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

<--

29

provision of this act or its application to any person or

30

circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect

- 26 -

 


1

other provisions or applications of this act which can be given

2

effect without the invalid provision or application.

3

Section 7.  This act shall take effect as follows:

<--

4

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

5

manufacturers are required to give distribution rights for

6

their products in this Commonwealth shall take effect in 150

7

days.

8

(2)  This section shall take effect immediately.

9

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

10

days in 90 days.

<--

- 27 -