This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to introduce a new temporary licensing option for foreign brewers, specifically a 30-day class T import license. This license allows foreign brewers to conduct test marketing and sales of nonintoxicating beer within the state, as well as participate in festival and fair events and sampling events. The fee for this T import license is set at $100, and it cannot be renewed consecutively for more than 30 days, although it can be reissued for a total of up to 60 days within a single year. The commissioner is also granted the authority to propose additional requirements for the T import licenses through rule-making.

The bill retains existing provisions regarding the licensing of foreign brewers, including the requirement for a certified copy of the corporation's authority to transact business in the state and the annual license fee of $1,500 for a standard brewer's license. It also maintains the stipulation that foreign corporation officers and directors do not need to be state residents as long as the corporation remains qualified to do business in West Virginia. Overall, the introduction of the class T import license aims to facilitate the entry of out-of-state nonintoxicating beer brewers into the West Virginia market for promotional purposes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 11-16-10