Sec. 2. (a) As used in this section, "proprietor of a package liquor store" means the person that:
(1) holds the financial investment in; and
(2) exercises the financial and operational oversight of;
a package liquor store.
(b) The commission may issue a beer dealer's permit only to an applicant who is the proprietor of a drug store, grocery store, or package liquor store.
(c) The commission may issue a beer dealer's permit to an applicant that is a foreign corporation if:
(1) the applicant is duly admitted to do business in Indiana;
(2) the sale of beer is within the applicant's corporate powers; and
(3) the applicant is otherwise qualified under this title.
(d) The commission shall not issue a beer dealer's permit to a person who is disqualified under the special disqualifications. However, the special disqualification listed in IC 7.1-3-4-2(a)(14) shall not apply to an applicant for a beer dealer's permit.
(e) Notwithstanding subsection (b), the commission may renew a beer dealer's permit for an applicant who:
(1) held a permit before July 1, 1997; and
(2) is the proprietor of a confectionery or a store that:
(A) is not a drug store, grocery store, or package liquor store;
(B) is in good repute; and
(C) in the judgment of the commission, deals in merchandise that is not incompatible with the sale of beer.