(a) A distributor must pay to each dealer or redemption center a handling fee of not less than 20 percent of the refund value of each empty beverage container accepted from such dealer or redemption center. This handling fee must be paid in addition to the refund value of each such empty beverage container.

(b) A distributor who does not initiate deposits on a type of beverage container is considered a dealer for that type of beverage container for purposes of receiving a handling fee.