Senate
Record of Committee Proceedings
Committee on Universities and Revenue
Assembly Bill 304
Relating to: creating the Division of Alcohol Beverages attached to the Department of Revenue; the regulation of alcohol beverages and enforcement of alcohol beverage laws; interest restrictions relating to, and authorized activities of, brewers, brewpubs, wineries, manufacturers, rectifiers, wholesalers, and retailers; shipping alcohol beverages by means of fulfillment houses and common carriers; the consumption of alcohol beverages in a public place; creating a no-sale event venue permit; creating an operator's permit; liquor licenses transferred from one municipality to another; retailers' authorized activities; liquor license quotas; the safe ride program; the presence of underage persons and conduct of other business on licensed premises; the occupational tax on alcohol beverages; repealing a rule promulgated by the Department of Revenue; granting rule-making authority; and providing a penalty.
By Representatives Vos, August, Swearingen and Zimmerman; cosponsored by Senators LeMahieu, Feyen and Testin.
June 23, 2023 Referred to Committee on Universities and Revenue
August 17, 2023 Public Hearing Held
Present: (8) Senator Hutton; Senators James, Nass, Ballweg, Cabral-Guevara, Larson, Roys and Smith.
Absent: (0) None.
Excused: (0) None.
Appearances For
· Matt Swenkofske - MolsonCoors
· Sen. LeMahieu Devin LeMahieu
· William Glass - Wisconsin Brewers Guild, Craft Beverage Coalition
· State Gov Affairs Sam DeWitt - Brewers Association
· Brian Boeckenstedt
· Owner Brad Schmiling - Von Stiehl Winery
· Keith Kern - TAVERN league of WISC0NSIN
· Rep Rob Swearingen - 34AD
· Mr. Zak Koga - Karben4 Brewing
Appearances Against
· Owner Bonnie Keyes - Mulberry Lane Farm
· Owner Pamela Pennington - Bridle Barn & Gardens
· Ms Jean Bahn - Farmview Event Barn
· Owner Afton Krysiak - Busy Barn Farm Adventures
· Owner Greg Schauf - Country Reflections
· Member David Muehl - Badger Farms, LLC
· Mr. Phillip Molina - Still Point Farm, LLC
· Owner Shelly Mayer - Folk Song Farm
· Lucas Vebber - WI Institute for law and liberty
· Megan Forbes - Institute for Justice
Appearances for Information Only
· Geralyn Lasher - The Wine Institute
Registrations For
· Lawrence Cary - Handen Distillery
· President Brian Dake - Wisconsin Independent Businesses
· Executive Vice President Susan Quam - Wisconsin Restaurant Association
· Tom Moore - Mark Anthony Brands
· Andrew Davis - MMAC
· Andy Engel - Anheuser Busch
· Mike Semmann - WI Grocers Association
· Matthew Hauser - Wisconsin Fuel & Retail Association
· Steve Lyons - New Glarus Brewing
· Tom Fonfara - Wisconsin Craft Beverage coalition
· Jim Kanter - Central standard distillery
Registrations Against
· Mother Of The Groom Wisconsin Farm Wedding Private Venue Consumer Choice Sheila Everhart - Everhart Family Farms
· Event Coordinator Alyson Buchholz - Folk Song Farm
· Mrs Penny Molina - Still Point Farm
· Employee Felicia Mendoza - Mulberry Lane Farm
· Susan Rochon - Mulberry lane farm
· Attorney Skylar Croy
· Hunter Acton
· Policy Coordinator Michelle Ramirez-White - Wisconsin Farmers Union
Registrations for Information Only
· None.
April 11, 2024 Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
______________________________
Patrick Kanarowski
Committee Clerk
