SB224: Bill Text

SB224,15,25 (L) 2. Purchase advertising from a person who does not hold a license under this chapter and who conducts national or regional sweepstakes, contests, or promotions on the premises of Class "B" licensees or permittees that sell the brewer's, brewpub's, or wholesaler's products. The person may promote an event or activity in connection with a sweepstakes, contest, or promotion, including promoting the location of the event or activity, if the Class "B" licensee or permittee on whose premises the event or activity will occur does not receive money for hosting the event or activity and, except as provided in subd. 4., if the advertising for the event or activity identifies at least 4 unaffiliated Class "B" licensees or permittees.

SB224,16,8 3. Conduct national or regional sweepstakes, contests, or promotions on the premises of Class "B" licensees or permittees that sell the brewer's , brewpub's, or wholesaler's products. The brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler may promote an event or activity in connection with a sweepstakes, contest, or promotion, including promoting the location of the event or activity, if the Class "B" licensee or permittee on whose premises the event or activity will occur does not receive money for hosting the event or activity and, except as provided in subd. 4., if the advertising for the event or activity identifies at least 4 unaffiliated Class "B" licensees or permittees.

SB224,16,12 4. A brewer that manufactures less than 30,000 barrels of fermented malt beverages annually, or a brewpub, may purchase advertising under subd. 2, and may promote sweepstakes, contests, or promotions through advertising under subd. 3., if the advertising identifies at least one Class "B" licensee or permittee.

SB224,16,17 (n) 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., no brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler may provide business entertainment to a Class "B" licensee or permittee under subd. 1. in one day that has a value exceeding $500, and no brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler may provide business entertainment to a Class "B" licensee or permittee under subd. 1. on more than 8 days in any calendar year.

SB224,16,25 (p) 1. Have present not more than 3 individuals representing the brewer or brewpub at a fermented malt beverages tasting event that lasts 2 days or less and at which taste samples of fermented malt beverages brewed or sold by at least 5 different brewers or brewpubs are offered for consumption by persons who either pay for the taste samples or pay a charge for admission to the event. Any individual representing a brewer or brewpub shall confine his or her activities on the premises to ensuring the integrity of, providing information about, and dispensing the brewer's or brewpub's fermented malt beverages.

SB224,17,4 (2s) Exception for retail trade association contributions. Notwithstanding the prohibitions in sub. (1), a brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler may contribute money or other things of value to a bona fide national, statewide, or local trade association that derives its principal income from membership dues of Class "B" licensees.

SB224,17,10 (6) Volume discounts to retailers. Wholesalers of fermented malt beverages, and brewpubs with respect to sales of fermented malt beverages authorized under s. 125.295 (1) (g), shall charge the same price to all campuses and retail licensees and permittees making purchases in similar quantities. Any discount offered on fermented malt beverages shall be delivered to the retailer in a single transaction and single delivery, and on a single invoice.

SB224,17,13 (7) (a) 1. a. Receive, purchase, or acquire fermented malt beverages from any licensee, or from any brewpub acting under authority of s. 125.295 (1) (g), except for cash or credit for a period of not more than 15 days.

SB224,17,18 b. Receive, purchase, or acquire fermented malt beverages from any licensee or permittee, or from any brewpub acting under authority of s. 125.295 (1) (g), if at the time of the receipt, purchase, or acquisition he or she is indebted to any licensee or, permittee, or brewpub for fermented malt beverages received, purchased, acquired, or delivered more than 15 days earlier.

SB224,17,24 (b) Restrictions on issuance of licenses and permits. No Class "A" or Class "B" license or permit may be issued to a person having an indebtedness for fermented malt beverages outstanding for more than 15 days. In each application for a Class "A" or Class "B" license or permit, the applicant shall state whether he or she has indebtedness for fermented malt beverages to any licensee or, permittee, or brewpub which has been outstanding for more than 15 days.

SB224,18,8 (c) Wholesalers and brewpubs holding retail licenses and permits. For purposes of this subsection, a person holding both a fermented malt beverage wholesale license and a fermented malt beverage retail license is deemed a fermented malt beverage retailer. For purposes of this subsection, a brewpub, when acting under authority of a retail license with respect to fermented malt beverages not manufactured by the brewpub, is deemed a fermented malt beverages retailer. This paragraph does not affect any provision of this subsection with respect to a brewpub acting under authority of s. 125.295 (1) (g).

SB224,18,14 (d) Penalties. A retail licensee or permittee who violates this subsection is subject to the penalties under s. 125.11 except that he or she may not be imprisoned. No brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler may be subjected to any penalty as the result of the sale of fermented malt beverages to a campus or retail licensee or permittee when purchased by the campus or retail licensee or permittee in violation of this subsection.

SB224,18,19 (7m) Conditional purchases. No Class "A" or Class "B" licensee may condition the purchase of fermented malt beverages from a brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler upon the furnishing by the brewer, brewpub, or wholesaler of any thing of value, other than the products purchased, to the licensee or to any person for the use, benefit, or relief of the licensee.

SB224,18,25 (8) Exclusive sales by wholesaler. A wholesaler may not sell or offer to sell a brand of fermented malt beverages exclusively to one Class "A" licensee or to a group of Class "A" licensees affiliated through common ownership, management or control, unless the brand of fermented malt beverages is produced by a brewer which that produces less than 300,000 barrels of fermented malt beverages in a calendar year or by a brewpub.

SB224,19,6 (9) Campuses and retailers to purchase from wholesalers. No Except as provided in s. 125.295 (1) (g), no campus or retail licensee or permittee may purchase or possess fermented malt beverages purchased from any person other than a wholesaler holding a license under this chapter for the sale of fermented malt beverages. Any person who violates this subsection may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.

SB224,19,12 (10) (a) 1. "Brand" means any word, name, group of letters, symbols, or combination thereof, including the name of the brewer or brewpub if the brewer's or brewpub's name is also a significant part of the product name, adopted and used by a brewer or brewpub to identify a specific fermented malt beverage product and to distinguish that product from other fermented malt beverages produced by that brewer or brewpub or other brewers or brewpubs.

SB224,19,17 2. "Discontinued brand" means, with respect to a terminated wholesaler, any brand of fermented malt beverages for which a brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit has terminated, cancelled, or failed to renew an agreement, whether oral or written, with the wholesaler to supply that brand.

SB224,19,24 3. "Successor wholesaler" means any wholesaler who enters into an agreement, whether oral or written, to obtain a supply of a brand of fermented malt beverages from a brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit after the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit has terminated, cancelled, or failed to renew an agreement, whether oral or written, with a terminated wholesaler to supply that same brand of fermented malt beverages.

SB224,20,4 4. "Terminated wholesaler" means a wholesaler with whom a brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit has terminated, cancelled, or failed to renew an agreement, whether oral or written, to supply a brand of fermented malt beverages to that wholesaler.

SB224,20,22 (b) Except as provided in par. (c) and subject to pars. (d) and (e), a successor wholesaler shall compensate a terminated wholesaler for the fair market value of the terminated wholesaler's distribution rights to any discontinued brand of fermented malt beverages assumed by the successor wholesaler for the same territory, less any amount paid to the terminated wholesaler by the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit for the discontinued brand. If the terminated wholesaler's distribution rights to any discontinued brand of fermented malt beverages are divided among 2 or more successor wholesalers, each successor wholesaler shall compensate the terminated wholesaler for the fair market value of the distribution rights to any discontinued brand of fermented malt beverages assumed by that successor wholesaler for the applicable part of the same territory, less any amount paid to the terminated wholesaler by the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit for the discontinued brand. A terminated wholesaler may not receive under this paragraph total compensation from the successor wholesaler and brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit that exceeds the fair market value of the terminated wholesaler's distribution rights specified under this paragraph.

SB224,21,2 (c) 1. The wholesaler or a principal of the wholesaler engaged in material fraudulent conduct or made substantial misrepresentations in its dealings with the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit or with others regarding any brand of the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit.

SB224,21,7 3. The wholesaler or a principal of the wholesaler knowingly distributed any brand of the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit outside the territory authorized by the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent, brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit for distribution of the brand.

SB224,21,13 (11) Source of fermented malt beverages. (a) Subject to s. 125.34 (3), no wholesaler who holds a retail license issued under this chapter may sell a brand of fermented malt beverages to another retail licensee unless the wholesaler has an agreement for general wholesale distribution of that brand of fermented malt beverages with the brewer, brewpub, brewer's agent , brewpub's agent, or holder of an out-of-state shipper's permit supplying that brand.

SB224,21,21 (b) If a wholesaler who holds a retail license issued under this chapter violates par. (a), any other wholesaler aggrieved by such violation or the brewer or brewpub may bring an action against such wholesaler in any court of competent jurisdiction for damages sustained by the aggrieved wholesaler or the brewer or brewpub as a consequence of the violation, together with the actual costs of the action. Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a wholesaler or the brewer or brewpub who prevails in an action under this paragraph may recover reasonable actual attorney fees incurred in the action.

SB224, s. 21 Section 21. 125.34 (title), (1) (a) and (c), (2) (a), (bg) and (bm), (3) (a) 1. and 2., (4) (a) and (5) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB224,22,7 125.34 (title) Distribution restrictions on wholesalers, brewers, brewpubs, and out-of-state shippers. (1) (a) "Brand" means any word, name, group of letters, symbol, or combination thereof, including the name of the brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper if the brewer's, brewpub's, or out-of-state shipper's name is also a significant part of the product name, adopted and used by a brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper to identify a specific fermented malt beverage product and to distinguish that product from other fermented malt beverages produced by that brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper or other brewers, brewpubs, or out-of-state shippers.

SB224,22,12 (c) "Designated sales territory" means the geographical area identified in a written agreement between a wholesaler and a brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper under which the wholesaler is authorized to distribute one or more brands of fermented malt beverages supplied by the brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper.

SB224,22,24 (2) (a) No Except as provided in sub. (6) (b) and s. 125.295 (1) (e) and (g), no fermented malt beverages may be sold, transported, or delivered to a retailer unless, prior to such sale, transport, or delivery, the fermented malt beverages are first unloaded at and distributed from a wholesaler's warehouse premises covered by both a wholesaler's license issued under s. 125.28 and an alcohol beverage warehouse permit issued under s. 125.19, which premises shall be in this state and shall be a physically separate location from any retail premises or brewery premises. This paragraph does not apply to a wholesaler issued a wholesaler's license under s. 125.28 (1) (b) with respect to fermented malt beverages transported and delivered from a warehouse in an adjoining state unless the wholesaler's warehouse in the adjoining state is located on premises in the adjoining state used for the manufacture of fermented malt beverages.

SB224,23,5 (bg) Notwithstanding par. (a), a brewer that, together with the fermented malt beverages manufactured during the same year by all producers identified in s. 125.31 (1) (a) 1. a. to e. its brewer group, manufactures not more than 50,000 barrels of fermented malt beverages in a calendar year in any location may be issued a wholesaler's license for wholesale premises located on brewery premises.

SB224,23,15 (bm) Notwithstanding par. (a), a brewer that, together with the fermented malt beverages manufactured during the same year by all producers identified in s. 125.31 (1) (a) 1. a. to e. its brewer group, manufactures more than 50,000 barrels of fermented malt beverages in a calendar year in any location may be issued a wholesaler's license for wholesale premises located on brewery premises but may not sell or ship more than a total of 1,000 barrels of fermented malt beverages in any calendar year to retailers from these wholesale premises. Fermented malt beverages provided by a brewer to any retail premises for which the brewer holds the retail license shall not be included in any calculation of the 1,000 barrel limitation under this paragraph.

SB224,23,21 (3) (a) 1. Subject to subd. 3., a wholesaler may not sell, transport, or deliver any brand of fermented malt beverages unless the wholesaler has entered into a written agreement with the brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper supplying the brand that grants to the wholesaler distribution rights for the brand and identifies the designated sales territory for which such distribution rights are granted, including the precise geographical area comprising the designated sales territory.

SB224,23,25 2. A brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper may not, in any agreement under this paragraph, grant to more than one wholesaler distribution rights for the same brand in the same designated sales territory or in any part of the same designated sales territory.

SB224,24,12 (4) (a) Any retailer located outside the wholesaler's designated sales territory for the brand. This paragraph does not apply if another wholesaler that has been granted distribution rights for the brand in the designated sales territory where the sale, transportation, or delivery occurs is unable to service this designated sales territory and the brewer, brewpub, or out-of-state shipper granting distribution rights has, notwithstanding sub. (3) (a), given consent for the sale, transportation, or delivery, which consent shall be limited to the time period that another wholesaler is unable to service this designated sales territory. This paragraph does not apply if the wholesaler is also a brewer and another wholesaler to whom this brewer has granted distribution rights for the brand in the designated sales territory where the sale, transportation, or delivery occurs has, notwithstanding sub. (3) (a), given consent for the sale, transportation, or delivery or refused to service this territory.

SB224,24,18 (5) Deliveries Except as provided in sub. (6) (b) and s. 125.295 (1) (e) and (g), deliveries of fermented malt beverages to retailers may be made only by wholesalers and shall be made to retailers only at their retail premises. No retailer may transport fermented malt beverages from one retail premises to another retail premises for purposes of selling the fermented malt beverages at the other retail premises unless both retail premises are operated by a brewer or brewpub holding the retail licenses.

SB224, s. 22 Section 22. 125.54 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB224,25,2 125.54 (1) Authorized activities. The department shall issue wholesalers' permits authorizing the permittee to sell intoxicating liquor at wholesale from the premises described in the permit. Except as provided under s. 125.69 (1) (b) 3., the permittee may not sell intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises. If a wholesale permit is issued to a brewery brewer that holds a "Class B" license, the permit shall authorize the wholesale sale of wine only. Possession of a permit under this section does not authorize the permittee to sell tax-free intoxicating liquor and wine brought into this state under s. 139.03 (5).

SB224, s. 23 Section 23. 125.69 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB224,25,6 125.69 (1) (d) Except as provided in s. 125.295 (3) (c), no brewpub may hold any direct or indirect interest in any "Class B" license or permit or establishment or "Class C" license or establishment.

SB224, s. 24 Section 24. 139.01 (1) and (2) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB224,25,9 139.01 (1) "Bottler" means any person other than a brewer or brewpub who places fermented malt beverages in bottles or similar containers.

SB224,25,12 (2) "Brewer" means any person who manufactures fermented malt beverages for sale or transportation except that brewer does not include a permittee under s. 125.295.

SB224, s. 25 Section 25. 139.01 (2c) and (2e) of the statutes are created to read:

SB224,25,14 139.01 (2c) "Brewpub" means a permittee under s. 125.295.

SB224,25,16 (2e) "Brewpub premises" means any premises covered by a permit issued under s. 125.295.

SB224, s. 26 Section 26. 139.04 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB224,25,20 139.04 (2) Furnishing by a brewer or brewpub of fermented malt beverages to workmen employed in the brewery or brewpub for consumption on the brewery premises or brewpub premises without charge.

SB224, s. 27 Section 27. 139.08 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB224,26,11 139.08 (4) Inspection for enforcement. Duly authorized employees of the department of justice and the department of revenue and any sheriff, police officer, marshal, or constable, within their respective jurisdictions, may at all reasonable hours enter any licensed premises, and examine the books, papers, and records of any brewer, brewpub, manufacturer, bottler, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer, for the purpose of inspecting the same and determining whether the tax and fee imposed by ss. 139.01 to 139.25 have been fully paid, and may inspect and examine, according to law, any premises where fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors are manufactured, sold, exposed for sale, possessed, or stored, for the purpose of inspecting the same and determining whether the tax imposed by ss. 139.01 to 139.25 has been fully paid, and whether ss. 139.01 to 139.25 and ch. 125 are being complied with. Any refusal to permit such examination of such premises is sufficient grounds under s. 125.12 for revocation or suspension of any license or permit granted for the sale of any fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors and is punishable under s. 139.25 (10).

SB224, s. 28 Section 28. 139.09 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB224,26,16 139.09 Registration. Every brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer liable for payment of the occupational tax imposed in ss. 139.01 to 139.25 shall hold a valid certificate under s. 73.03 (50). The secretary shall assign the person a registration number.

SB224, s. 29 Section 29. 139.11 (2), (3) and (4) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB224,26,25 139.11 (2) Report. Each brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, and wholesaler shall on or before the 15th day of each calendar month or the dates prescribed by the secretary file a verified report of all fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquor manufactured, received, sold, delivered, or shipped by him or her during the preceding calendar month, except that the department may allow wholesale, winery, and out-of-state shipper permittees whose tax liability is less than $500 per quarter to file on a quarterly basis. Quarterly reports shall be filed on or before the 15th of the next month following the close of the calendar quarter.

SB224,27,14 (3) Secretary's powers. When the secretary finds that the records kept by any brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer are in such condition than that an unusual amount of time is required to determine therefrom the amount of tax due, the secretary may give notice of such fact to such person and may require the records to be kept in such form as the secretary prescribes. If such requirements are not complied with within 30 days after the date of the notice, the brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer shall pay the expenses reasonably attributable to the determination of tax at the rate of $30 per day for each auditor. The secretary shall render a bill therefor by registered mail to the person charged with payment at the conclusion of the audit, which bill shall constitute notice of assessment and demand of payment thereof. The brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler , or retailer shall, within 10 days after the mailing of the bill, pay its amount, and such payment shall be credited to the appropriation made in s. 20.566 (1) (a).

SB224,27,22 (4) Confidentiality. Sections 71.78 (1) and (4) to (9) and 71.83 (2) (a) 3., relating to confidentiality of income, franchise, and gift tax returns, apply to any information obtained from any person on a fermented malt beverage or intoxicating liquor tax return, report, schedule, exhibit, or other document or from an audit report relating to any of those documents, except that the department of revenue shall publish brewery brewer and brewpub production and sales statistics and shall publish or permit the publication of statistics on the total number of gallons of the types and brands of intoxicating liquor sold in this state.

SB224, s. 30 Section 30. 139.18 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB224,28,2 139.18 (1) The possession of any fermented malt beverages on any licensed premises, other than upon the premises of a brewer, brewpub, or bottler, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that such products are kept with intent to sell and that such products are subject to the tax herein imposed.

SB224, s. 31 Section 31. 139.22 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB224,28,14 139.22 Confiscation. If a duly authorized employee of the department of revenue or the department of justice or any sheriff, police officer, marshal, or constable, within his or her respective jurisdiction, discovers any fermented malt beverages upon any premises other than the premises of a brewer, brewpub, or bottler, or any intoxicating liquor upon any premises other than the premises of a manufacturer, rectifier, winery, or wholesaler, and upon which the tax has not been paid or which was possessed, kept, stored, manufactured, sold, distributed, or transported in violation of ss. 139.01 to 139.25 and ch. 125, the employee or any such officer may immediately seize the fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors. Any such fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors so seized shall be held by the department of revenue and disposed of under s. 125.14 (2) (e).

SB224, s. 32 Section 32. 346.93 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB224,28,22 346.93 (1) No underage person, as defined under s. 125.02 (20m), may knowingly possess, transport, or have under his or her control any alcohol beverage in any motor vehicle unless the person is employed by a brewer, an, brewpub, alcohol beverage licensee, wholesaler, retailer, distributor, manufacturer , or rectifier and is possessing, transporting, or having such beverage in a motor vehicle under his or her control during his or her working hours and in the course of employment, as provided under s. 125.07 (4) (bm).

SB224, s. 33 Section 33. Effective date.

SB224,28,24 (1) This act takes effect on the 30th day beginning after publication.

SB224,28,25 (End)