Deal On Tap For Secondary Use Advertising in BarsDeal On Tap For Secondary Use Advertising in Bars

1/27/14 - A compromise could be brewing when it comes to the legislative battle over secondary use items in bars and restaurants. Anything with advertising on it that has a use beyond just advertising, such as a glass or napkin is considered a secondary use item, and current practice prohibits those from being used in certain establishments. Senate Bill 505, introduced by Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township last year, would take that rule and codify it into law. Restaurants oppose the legislation, which they see as an unnecessary obstacle to their operations. But smaller craft brewers and the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association are in favor of the plan because they say the proposals stop larger brewers from using items with their logos as leverage to win a greater presence in restaurants and bars. It's garnered public attention and changes now call for the purchase of glassware only. However, two substitutes have been put forward in the House Regulatory Reform Committee that go even further, including one by State Representative Cindy Denby of Handy Township. Scott Ellis with the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association says the substitute proposed by Representative Denby is least restrictive and most preferred. He tells WHMI they're hoping for an agreement on the brewer expansion bills to ultimately allow restaurants and business owners to choose what they use and how they market in their establishment. Hune says while SB 505 has received the most attention, despite his opinion that it's a benign issue, it's really part of a much larger package of economic development legislation to expand the craft brewing industry and grow the state economy. The secondary use bill is tie-bared to all of the other productive brewers bill and Hune says there’s been a bit of a battle with some groups but overall, negotiations continue over proposals to make some changes and he's hoping to come to some form of compromise sooner than later. (JM/JK)