Bill > H327

This bill aims to regulate the relationship between small brewers and wholesalers of alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. It defines "small brewers" as those producing up to 6 million barrels of malt beverages per year, and establishes different rules for their ability to refuse selling to a wholesaler based on their annual production volume. 2. It allows small brewers producing 5,000 barrels or less to refuse to sell to a wholesaler with 30 days' notice, and requires the wholesaler to transfer the brands for 50% of the fair market value. For small brewers producing 5,001 to 350,000 barrels, the notice period is 45 days and the wholesaler must be compensated at fair market value. For small brewers producing 350,001 to 6 million barrels, the notice period is 60 days and the wholesaler must be compensated at 110% of fair market value. 3. It establishes a binding arbitration process to determine disputes over whether a brewer qualifies as a "small brewer" and to set the fair market value compensation for the wholesaler. 4. The bill applies to all existing and future relationships between small brewers and wholesalers in Massachusetts.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H327