Provides relative to sucessors of alcoholic beverage suppliers, importers, brokers, or wholesalers. (8/1/16)
Impact
By establishing clear definitions and obligations for successors, SB255 impacts existing state laws governing the alcoholic beverage industry, particularly regarding the relationship between wholesalers and suppliers. This regulatory framework intends to enhance accountability and ensure that successors cannot evade existing contractual responsibilities. Thus, it not only impacts current market practices but also seeks to promote fairness and consistency across the industry especially related to performance standards enforced uniformly among wholesalers.
Summary
Senate Bill 255 focuses on the obligations and definitions related to successors in the alcoholic beverage industry. The bill amends existing laws and introduces new regulations that outline the responsibilities of successors when they replace suppliers, importers, brokers, or wholesalers of alcoholic beverages. A significant aspect of the bill is the clarification of the term 'successor', which helps to maintain a structured relationship within the distribution channels of alcoholic products. The legislation aims to ensure that successors uphold the same terms of agreements that their predecessors had, providing stability and continuity in business operations within this sector.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB255 appears largely favorable among legislators, as evidenced by its unanimous passage through the House without any opposing votes. This suggests a bipartisan agreement on the importance of having defined successor obligations in the alcoholic beverage sector. Supporters argue that maintaining established standards is essential for the industry's integrity, while potential concerns about burdensome regulations seem minimal, indicating a focused legislative intent on fostering a robust regulatory environment.
Contention
While there seem to be no significant points of contention reported, it’s essential to monitor how the provisions outlined in the bill impact new entrants into the market. For instance, some stakeholders may express concerns over the potential difficulties for new wholesalers attempting to establish themselves under existing contractual obligations of successors. However, as it stands, SB255 has moved through the legislative process without major resistance, suggesting a consensus on the need for clearer regulations in Louisiana's alcoholic beverage distribution.
Relating to alcoholic beverages; to amend Sections 28-3-1, 28-3A-3, 28-3A-21, and 28-3A-23, Code of Alabama 1975 and add Sections 28-3-208, 28-3A-9.1, and 28-3A-17.2 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to define a new category of low-alcohol content liquor beverages called mixed spirit beverages; to require all mixed spirit beverages, other than those distributed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, to be distributed through a licensed wholesaler; to levy taxes upon the distribution of these beverages; to provide for licensure of retailers of mixed spirit beverages and set a fee for licensure; to add Chapter 8B to Title 28 of the Code of Alabama 1975; to require licensed importers, manufacturers, and suppliers of mixed spirit beverages to enter into exclusive franchise agreements with wholesalers; to exempt from the wholesaler franchise laws mixed spirit beverages distributed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and sold at retail at ABC stores; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.