LRB-1603/P1
ARG:wlj
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Martin, BB0422 - Extended closing hours during 2024 Republican National Convention
For 2023-2025 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
commerce and economic development
Commerce
Closing hours for alcohol beverage retailers during the 2024 Republican National Convention
This bill creates an exception allowing southeast Wisconsin municipalities to authorize extended closing hours for certain alcohol beverage retailers during the time that the 2024 Republican National Convention is held in Milwaukee.
Under current law, a Class “B" license authorizes the retail sale of beer for consumption on or off the licensed premises. Except when issued to a winery, a “Class B" license authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption on the licensed premises and, subject to restrictions, for consumption off the licensed premises. Class “B” and “Class B” licenses are often issued together for restaurants and taverns. A “Class C" license, which may be issued only for a restaurant, authorizes the retail sale of wine for consumption on the licensed premises. With limited exceptions, a retailer operating under a Class “B," “Class B,” or “Class C” license may not remain open between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays or between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and a municipality may not impose different closing hours by ordinance.
This bill creates a closing hour exception that may be available for Class “B,” “Class B,” and “Class C” licensees operating in a municipality any part of which is located within Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Dane, Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Sheboygan, or Fond du Lac County (southeast Wisconsin municipality). Under the bill, from July 15 to July 19, 2024, the closing hour for a Class “B,” “Class B,” or “Class C” licensed premises in a southeast Wisconsin municipality is 4 a.m. if the municipality issuing the license has adopted a resolution allowing extended closing hours and, upon application by a licensee, has authorized the extended closing hour for that licensee. This bill does not affect the hours during which a Class “B” or “Class B” licensee may make sales for off-premises consumption.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 9137.
Nonstatutory provisions; Revenue
(1) Closing hours exception for certain alcohol beverage retailers during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
(a) In this subsection:
1. “Municipality” has the meaning given in s. 125.02 (11).
2. “Southeast Wisconsin municipality” means a municipality any part of which is located within Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Dane, Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Sheboygan, or Fond du Lac County.
(b) 1. Notwithstanding s. 125.32 (3) (a), from July 15 to July 19, 2024, the closing hours for premises operating under a Class “B” license issued by a southeast Wisconsin municipality shall be between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. if the municipality that issued the license has adopted a resolution allowing extended closing hours within the municipality and has authorized this extended closing hour as provided in subd. 2.
2. If a southeast Wisconsin municipality has adopted a resolution under subd. 1., the municipality shall establish a process to authorize, and may upon application so authorize, the extended closing hour under subd. 1
. for any Class “B” licensed premises within the municipality.
(c) 1. Notwithstanding s. 125.68 (4) (c) 1. and 3m., from July 15 to July 19, 2024, the closing hours for premises operating under a “Class B” or “Class C” license issued by a southeast Wisconsin municipality shall be between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. if the municipality that issued the license has adopted a resolution allowing extended closing hours within the municipality and has authorized this extended closing hour as provided in subd. 2.
2. If a southeast Wisconsin municipality has adopted a resolution under subd. 1., the municipality shall establish a process to authorize, and may upon application so authorize, the extended closing hour under subd. 1
. for any “Class B” or “Class C” licensed premises within the municipality.
(End)
