SB223: Bill Text

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2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Senate BILL 223

August 5, 2015 - Introduced by Senators Harsdorf, Gudex, Marklein and Vinehout, cosponsored by Representatives Jarchow, E. Brooks, Heaton, Kooyenga, Petryk, Thiesfeldt, Billings, Danou, Doyle, Milroy and Pope. Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism.

SB223,1,2 An Act to renumber and amend 125.51 (3) (am); and to create 125.51 (3) (am) 3. of the statutes; relating to: retail licenses held by wineries.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law prohibits a person from selling alcohol beverages at retail unless the seller possesses a license or permit authorizing the sale. In general, a "Class B" license authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquor (wine and distilled spirits) for consumption on the licensed premises and, subject to various restrictions, the retail sale of intoxicating liquor in original packages for consumption off the licensed premises. However, a winery may be issued one "Class B" license and a "Class B" license issued to a winery authorizes only the retail sale of wine to be consumed by the glass or in opened containers on the licensed premises and the retail sale of wine in the original package or container to be consumed off the licensed premises.

Under this bill, a "Class B" license issued to a winery also authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquor other than wine (distilled spirits) to be consumed by the glass or in opened containers on the licensed premises at special events scheduled with the winery at least 30 days in advance and at which 50 or more persons are scheduled to attend.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB223,1 Section 1. 125.51 (3) (am) of the statutes is renumbered 125.51 (3) (am) (intro.) and amended to read:

SB223,2,4 125.51 (3) (am) (intro.) A "Class B" license issued to a winery authorizes the all of the following:

SB223,2,6 1. The sale of wine to be consumed by the glass or in opened containers only on the premises where sold and also authorizes the.

SB223,2,9 2. The sale of wine in the original package or container to be consumed off the premises where sold, but does not authorize the sale of fermented malt beverages or any intoxicating liquor other than wine.

SB223,2 Section 2. 125.51 (3) (am) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

SB223,2,15 125.51 (3) (am) 3. The sale of intoxicating liquor other than wine to be consumed by the glass or in opened containers only on the premises where sold and only at a special event held on the premises that is scheduled with the winery at least 30 days in advance of the event and at which 50 or more persons are scheduled to attend.

SB223,2,16 (End)