This bill amends several sections of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to address the relationships between beer suppliers and wholesalers, with a particular focus on microbreweries. A significant change is the exemption of microbreweries from certain agreement requirements that typically apply to beer suppliers and wholesalers. The bill introduces new legal language stating that any agreements made, amended, or renewed between a microbrewery and a wholesaler after the act's operative date will not be subject to the provisions of sections 53-201 to 53-223. Furthermore, existing continuous agreements between microbreweries and wholesalers will be considered terminated by October 1, 2027, unless a new written agreement is established prior to that date. The term "supplier" is also redefined to exclude microbreweries, clarifying their unique status in the distribution framework.

Additionally, the bill establishes new provisions regarding the responsibilities and rights of suppliers and wholesalers, including burdens of proof for suppliers concerning fraudulent conduct by wholesalers, stipulations on territory sales, and quality control requirements for wholesalers. It specifies conditions under which wholesalers may transfer their business and the obligations to notify suppliers of such transfers. The bill emphasizes that wholesalers cannot waive their rights under the specified sections and allows for civil actions in cases of prohibited conduct, including provisions for damages and injunctive relief. The amendments apply to agreements in existence as of April 18, 1989, and those entered into or renewed thereafter, with the act set to become operative on October 1, 2026, while repealing several original sections of the statutes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 53-201, 53-202, 53-213, 53-216, 53-217, 53-218, 53-220, 53-221, 53-222, 53-223