Bill > S178

This bill aims to promote economic development and market access for emerging businesses. It amends the existing law to include agricultural items such as cereal grains, malted grains, hops, fruits, and vegetables as part of the definition of "agricultural items" under the Massachusetts General Laws. Additionally, the bill introduces a new section that allows emerging breweries (those producing less than 100,000 barrels of malt beverages in the preceding 12 months) to terminate the right to distribute their brands to wholesalers, subject to certain conditions and compensation requirements. The bill also includes a provision for arbitration to resolve disputes between emerging breweries and affected wholesalers regarding compensation. Finally, the bill provides that if any provision of the chapter is determined to be invalid, the remaining provisions shall be construed to further limit commerce in alcoholic beverages and enhance the state's three-tier regulatory system.

Budget and Finance, Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S178