SB351 Summary: Montgomery County Wine Franchise Jobs Protection Act

• Creates the Montgomery County Wine Franchise Jobs Protection Act establishing regulations for wine supplier-wholesaler business relationships to maintain industry stability, preserve jobs, and promote public health and safety.

• Requires written agreements between suppliers and wholesalers designating specific exclusive sales territories and prohibits suppliers from price-fixing, coercing wholesalers, or requiring purchase of unwanted products.

• Protects wholesaler rights including restrictions on supplier interference with business transfers to qualified transferees and requires 60 days' notice before agreement termination, with wholesalers given 30-120 days to cure noncompliance.

• Establishes mandatory compensation for wholesalers when suppliers violate the act, including optional three-member arbitration panels to determine reasonable compensation for diminished business value.

• Provides civil remedies including actual damages, attorney fees, court costs, and potentially punitive damages for bad faith violations; all lawsuits must be filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court or U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.