Sec. 4.5. (a) As used in this section, “eligible grocery store” means a grocery store (as defined in IC 7.1-1-3-18.5(a)(1)) that meets the following criteria:

(1) Is operated in a consolidated city.

(2) Was established in whole or in part through a food empowerment pilot project authorized under P.L.165-2021, SECTION 6 and awarded to a nonprofit corporation for the benefit of establishing the grocery store.

(3) Operates with less than eighteen thousand (18,000) square feet of building space.

(4) Provides access to fresh and healthy foods to individuals in a low income area where access to resources for fresh and healthy food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh meat, poultry, and fish, is limited.

     (b) The commission shall issue a beer dealer’s permit and a wine dealer’s permit to an eligible grocery store without regard to the quota provisions of this chapter.

     (c) A permit issued under this section is subject to the following:

(1) A permit issued under this section may be renewed, and the ownership of the permit may be transferred, but the permit may not be transferred from the permit premises.

(2) Notwithstanding IC 7.1-3-1.1, if the premises ceases to qualify as an eligible grocery store for more than six (6) months, the permit shall revert to the commission and the permit holder is not entitled to any refund or other compensation.

As added by P.L.220-2023, SEC.11.