§ 15.400. Definitions.

For the purposes of this subtitle, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words have the meanings given herein:

(a)

Beverage means beer or other malt beverages and mineral waters, soda water and similar soft drinks in liquid form and intended for human consumption, whether or not carbonated, but does not include uncarbonated water, soups, fluid milk products, natural or partially natural reconstituted or frozen fruit, vegetable or meat juices, or liquids intended for medicinal purposes only.

(b)

Beverage container means the individual, separate, sealed glass, metal or plastic bottle, can, jar or carton containing a beverage.

(c)

Biodegradable material means material which is capable of being broken down by bacteria into basic elements.

(d)

Consumer means every person who purchases a beverage container for use or consumption.

(e)

Dealer means every person in Howard County who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to a consumer, and includes every person in Howard County who engages in the business of servicing and replenishing coin-operated vending machines in which beverages are sold in beverage containers. However, "dealer" does not mean a church, school, political, civic or charitable group or organization.

(f)

Director means the Director of the Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits of Howard County or his designee.

(g)

Distributor means every person who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to a dealer in Howard County, including any manufacturer who engages in such sales.

(h)

Manufacturer means every person bottling, canning or otherwise filling beverage containers for sale to distributors or dealers.

(i)

Place of business means the location at which a dealer sells or offers for sale beverages in beverage containers to consumers.

(j)

Refillable means a beverage container which can be refilled at least five times and is so designated by type by the Director.

(k)

Soft drink means ginger ale, root beer, sarsaparilla, soda pop or any soda water, cola or other carbonated or noncarbonated beverage.

(l)

Use or consumption includes the exercise of any right or power over a beverage incident to the ownership thereof, other than the sale or the keeping or retention of a beverage for the purposes of sale.

(C.B. 26, 1976; C.B. 62, 1988)

Editor's note

Section 101 of C.B. 62, 1988, declared the bill effective July 1, 1989.