Keg deposits; limited alternative inventory and reconciliation process

(1) A distributor selling an alcoholic beverage to a vendor in bulk, by recyclable keg or other similar reusable container, for the purpose of sale in draft form on tap, must charge the vendor a deposit, to be referred to as a “keg deposit,” in an amount not less than that charged to the distributor by the manufacturer for each keg or container of the beverage sold. The deposit amount charged to a vendor for a draft keg or container of a like brand must be uniform. Charges made for deposits collected or credits allowed for empty kegs or containers returned must be shown separately on all sale tickets or invoices. A copy of such sales tickets or invoices must be given to the vendor at the time of delivery. (2) In lieu of receiving a keg deposit, a distributor selling alcoholic beverages by recyclable keg or other similar reusable container for the purpose of sale in draft form to a vendor identified in s. 561.01(18) or s. 565.02(6) or (7) shall implement an inventory and reconciliation process with such vendor in which an accounting of kegs is completed and any loss or variance in the number of kegs is paid for by the vendor on a per-keg basis equivalent to the required keg deposit. This inventory and reconciliation process may occur twice per year, at the discretion of the distributor, but must occur at least annually. Upon completion of an agreed-upon keg inventory and reconciliation, the vendor shall remit payment within 15 days after receiving an invoice from the distributor. The vendor may choose to establish and fund a separate account with the distributor for the purpose of expediting timely payments.