LRB-2836/4
ARG:med:jm
2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE
January 19, 2012 - Introduced by Representatives Kleefisch, August and
Kooyenga, cosponsored by Senator Vukmir. Referred to Committee on
Homeland Security and State Affairs.
AB480,1,2
1An Act to create 125.51 (2) (am) of the statutes;
relating to: taste samples of
2intoxicating liquor provided on certain retail licensed premises.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may sell alcohol
beverages to a consumer unless the seller possesses a license or permit authorizing
the sale. A Class "A" license authorizes the retail sale of fermented malt beverages
(beer), in original packages, for consumption off the licensed premises. A "Class A"
license authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquor, including wine, in original
packages, for consumption off the licensed premises.
Current law authorizes a Class "A" licensed retailer, under its retail license, to
provide taste samples of beer on the Class "A" licensed premises, subject to various
restrictions. Current law also contains an exception to the license or permit
requirement allowing a "Class A" licensed retailer to provide wine taste samples on
the "Class A" licensed premises, subject to various restrictions.
This bill authorizes a "Class A" licensed retailer, under its retail license, to
provide taste samples of intoxicating liquor that is not wine (distilled spirits) on its
"Class A" licensed premises. Taste samples of distilled spirits may not exceed three,
0.5 fluid ounce taste samples per person per day and may be provided only between
the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The bill also specifies that representatives of
intoxicating liquor manufacturers, rectifiers, out-of-state shippers, or wholesalers
or of wineries may assist the "Class A" retailer in dispensing or serving the taste
samples.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB480, s. 1
1Section
1. 125.51 (2) (am) of the statutes is created to read:
AB480,2,142
125.51
(2) (am) In addition to the authorization under par. (a) and s. 125.06
3(13), a "Class A" license authorizes the licensee to provide, free of charge, to
4customers and visitors who have attained the legal drinking age, taste samples of
5intoxicating liquor other than wine that are not in original packages or containers
6and that do not exceed 0.5 fluid ounces each, for consumption on the "Class A"
7premises. No "Class A" licensee may provide more than 3 such taste samples per day
8to any one person. Taste samples may be provided under this paragraph only
9between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Any representative of a manufacturer,
10rectifier, winery, out-of-state shipper, or wholesaler issued a permit under s. 125.52,
11125.53, 125.54, or 125.58 may assist the "Class A" licensee in dispensing or serving
12the taste samples. No "Class A" licensee may provide as taste samples under this
13paragraph intoxicating liquor other than wine that the "Class A" licensee did not
14purchase from a wholesaler.
