B. In addition to the payment of the refund value, the initiator of the deposit under section 1863-A, subsection 3 shall reimburse the dealer or local redemption center for the cost of handling beverage containers subject to section 1863-A in an amount that equals at least 3¢ 5¢ per returned container. The initiator of the deposit may reimburse the dealer or local redemption center directly or indirectly through a contracted agent or though a party with which it has entered into a commingling agreement.

C.__The reimbursement that the initiator of the deposit is obligated to pay the dealer or redemption center pursuant to paragraph A or B must be reduced either:

(1)__By 1__for any returned container that is subject to a qualified commingling agreement that allows the dealer or redemption center to commingle beverage containers of like material, size and product group.__ A commingling agreement is qualified for purposes of this subparagraph if the department determines that at least 50% of the beverage containers of like material, size and product group for which deposits are being initiated in the State are covered by the commingling agreement.__As the initiator of deposit for all spirits sold in the State, the State is entitled to the 1__reduction in handling fee described in this subparagraph without regard to whether it is a party to a qualified commingling agreement; or

(2)__By 1 1/2__for any returned container that is subject to a qualified commingling agreement that allows the dealer or redemption center to commingle beverage containers of like material and size.__A commingling agreement is qualified for purposes of this subparagraph if the department determines that at least 50% of the beverage containers of like material and size for which the deposits are being initiated in the State are covered by the commingling agreement.__The State, through the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and