Bill > H4860

This bill aims to promote economic development and market access for emerging businesses. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It amends the definition of "agricultural items" to include certain food and beverage products, such as cereal grains, hops, fruits, and vegetables, that can be used by emerging businesses. 2. It allows emerging breweries (defined as privately-owned entities that produced less than 100,000 barrels of malt beverages in the previous 12 months) to terminate their distribution agreements with wholesalers without showing good cause, subject to specific notice and compensation requirements. 3. It establishes a process for resolving disputes over whether a brewery qualifies as an "emerging brewery" and for determining the appropriate compensation to be paid to terminated wholesalers. 4. It includes a provision stating that the intent of the bill is to further limit, rather than expand, commerce in alcoholic beverages and to enhance strict regulatory control over the three-tier system for the distribution and sale of such beverages.

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4860