(a) The commission shall create a responsible vendor training program for retail food store wine licensees and retailers licensed pursuant to § 57-3-204 similar to the responsible vendor training program established in chapter 5, part 6 of this title.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d), each retail food store wine licensee and retailer licensed in this state shall participate in the responsible vendor training program created under this section as a condition to having and maintaining such license.

(c) Each retail food store and retailer shall be required to annually file a report stating the number of certified clerks employed by the licensee in the twelve (12) months preceding the date of the report. The list shall include the first and last name of each clerk. The licensee shall maintain records for each clerk sufficient to verify that annual training has been completed. Training shall be a minimum of one (1) hour annually. Each retail food store and retailer shall pay a fee as follows:

(1) 0-15 certified clerks—$150;

(2) 16-30 certified clerks—$200;

(3) 31-45 certified clerks—$250;

(4) 46-60 certified clerks—$300;

(5) 61-100 certified clerks—$350;

(6) 101-150 certified clerks—$400;

(7) 151-200 certified clerks—$450; and

(8) $50.00 for each additional 50 certified clerks over 200.

(d) The commission shall not require any licensee to participate or pay fees for both the responsible vendor training program created in this section and the program established in chapter 5, part 6 of this title. Participation in either program shall be deemed sufficient compliance.

(e) This section shall not apply to employees of a retailer licensed under § 57-3-204 until July 1, 2016. Any employee of a retailer who has a valid permit under [former] § 57-3-204(c) on July 1, 2016, shall not be required to be certified pursuant to this section until that permit expires.