| 1 | 1 | | 1 of 1 |
|---|
| 2 | 2 | | SENATE DOCKET, NO. 602 FILED ON: 1/14/2025 |
|---|
| 3 | 3 | | SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 203 |
|---|
| 4 | 4 | | The Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
|---|
| 5 | 5 | | _________________ |
|---|
| 6 | 6 | | PRESENTED BY: |
|---|
| 7 | 7 | | John J. Cronin |
|---|
| 8 | 8 | | _________________ |
|---|
| 9 | 9 | | To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General |
|---|
| 10 | 10 | | Court assembled: |
|---|
| 11 | 11 | | The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill: |
|---|
| 12 | 12 | | An Act amending successor supplier laws. |
|---|
| 13 | 13 | | _______________ |
|---|
| 14 | 14 | | PETITION OF: |
|---|
| 15 | 15 | | NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :John J. CroninWorcester and Middlesex 1 of 2 |
|---|
| 16 | 16 | | SENATE DOCKET, NO. 602 FILED ON: 1/14/2025 |
|---|
| 17 | 17 | | SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 203 |
|---|
| 18 | 18 | | By Mr. Cronin, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 203) of John J. Cronin for |
|---|
| 19 | 19 | | legislation to amend successor supplier laws in regards to brand name items sold to a licensed |
|---|
| 20 | 20 | | wholesaler. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. |
|---|
| 21 | 21 | | The Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
|---|
| 22 | 22 | | _______________ |
|---|
| 23 | 23 | | In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court |
|---|
| 24 | 24 | | (2025-2026) |
|---|
| 25 | 25 | | _______________ |
|---|
| 26 | 26 | | An Act amending successor supplier laws. |
|---|
| 27 | 27 | | Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority |
|---|
| 28 | 28 | | of the same, as follows: |
|---|
| 29 | 29 | | 1 Section 25E of Chapter 138 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the |
|---|
| 30 | 30 | | 2following new section:- |
|---|
| 31 | 31 | | 3 Section 25E 7/8. The provisions of Section 25E prohibiting a supplier from refusing to |
|---|
| 32 | 32 | | 4sell an item having a brand name are binding on any successor supplier. A successor supplier is |
|---|
| 33 | 33 | | 5any person who acquires, in any manner whatsoever, whether directly or indirectly, the right or |
|---|
| 34 | 34 | | 6obligation to sell an item with brand name to a wholesaler licensed in this state. Any successor |
|---|
| 35 | 35 | | 7supplier acquiring a right or obligation to sell to a wholesaler does so subject to the agreement |
|---|
| 36 | 36 | | 8between the wholesaler and the supplier existing at the time of succession. All sales of a brand |
|---|
| 37 | 37 | | 9name item made to a licensed wholesaler prior to succession will be attributed to the successor |
|---|
| 38 | 38 | | 10supplier for the purpose of determining whether six months of regular sales exist under Section |
|---|
| 39 | 39 | | 1125E. An agreement with a licensed wholesaler includes, without limitation, a commercial |
|---|
| 40 | 40 | | 12relationship of a definite or indefinite duration between a wholesaler and the person selling a 2 of 2 |
|---|
| 41 | 41 | | 13brand item to such wholesaler, whether oral or in writing, or a relationship whereby the licensed |
|---|
| 42 | 42 | | 14wholesaler is granted the right to offer and sell items with brand names within this state. The |
|---|
| 43 | 43 | | 15provisions of this Section 25E are to be liberally construed to effectuate the remedial purpose of |
|---|
| 44 | 44 | | 16the protections of Section 25E. |
|---|