Wisconsin Legislature: 73,64a

73,51 Section 51. 230.36 (2m) (a) 9. of the statutes is amended to read:

230.36 (2m) (a) 9. A excise tax investigator special agent employed by the department of revenue who is authorized to act under s. 73.031.

73,51m Section 51m. 346.657 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 9, is amended to read:

346.657 (1) If a court imposes a fine or a forfeiture for a violation of s. 346.62 or 346.63 (1) or (5), or a local ordinance in conformity therewith, or s. 346.63 (2) or (6) or 940.25, or s. 940.09 where the offense involved the use of a vehicle, it shall impose a safe ride program surcharge under ch. 814 in an amount of $50 $75 in addition to the fine or forfeiture, plus costs, fees, and other surcharges imposed under ch. 814.

73,52 Section 52. 565.01 (6c) of the statutes is created to read:

565.01 (6c) “Special agent” means any employee of the department authorized to act under s. 73.031.

73,53 Section 53. 565.02 (8) (e) of the statutes is renumbered 565.02 (9) (a).

73,54 Section 54. 565.02 (8) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 565.02 (9) (b) and amended to read:

565.02 (9) (b) If the division of criminal investigation in the department of justice chooses not to investigate a report under par. (e), coordinate Coordinate an investigation of the suspected gaming-related criminal activity with local law enforcement officials and district attorneys.

73,55 Section 55. 565.02 (9) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:

565.02 (9) (intro.) The department may do all of the following:

73,56 Section 56. 565.17 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

565.17 (5) (a) No Except as provided under par. (d), no employee in the lottery division of the department or the secretary, deputy secretary, or assistant deputy secretary of revenue and no member of such a person's immediate family, as defined in s. 19.42 (7), may purchase a lottery ticket or lottery share.

73,57 Section 57. 565.17 (5) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

565.17 (5) (d) An employee in the lottery division of the department may purchase a lottery ticket or lottery share if the purchase is on behalf of the lottery division of the department and is a part of an official lottery investigation. No person may share or assign a lottery ticket or lottery share purchased under this paragraph and no person may claim any prize or winnings from a lottery ticket or lottery share purchased under this paragraph.

73,58 Section 58. 565.40 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

565.40 (title) Department of justice enforcement Enforcement authority.

73,59 Section 59. 565.40 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

565.40 (4) Police powers. The department may enforce violations of this chapter, and special agents may exercise their arrest authority under s. 73.031 to enforce violations of this chapter. This subsection does not deprive or relieve other law enforcement or peace officers of the power and duty to enforce violations of this chapter.

73,60 Section 60. 565.50 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

565.50 (2) Any person who alters or , forges, counterfeits, or illegally obtains a lottery ticket or share or intentionally utters or transfers an altered or, forged, counterfeit, or illegally obtained lottery ticket or share is guilty of a Class I felony.

73,61 Section 61. 565.50 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

565.50 (2m) Any person who claims a lottery prize from a winning lottery ticket or share and then transfers the same winning lottery ticket or share to another person is guilty of a Class I felony.

73,62 Section 62. 565.50 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

565.50 (3) Any person who possesses an altered or, forged, counterfeit, or illegally obtained lottery ticket or share, or a winning lottery ticket or share for which the prize has been previously claimed, with intent to defraud shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.

73,63 Section 63. 565.50 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

565.50 (4) Any person who transfers a lottery ticket or share to another person, presents a transferred lottery ticket or share for payment of a lottery prize, or claims a lottery prize from a transferred ticket or share with intent to avoid withholding under s. 565.30 (4), (5), (5m), or (5r) shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both.

73,64 Section 64. 946.82 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 10, is amended to read:

946.82 (4) “Racketeering activity" means any activity specified in 18 USC 1961 (1) in effect as of April 27, 1982, or the attempt, conspiracy to commit, or commission of any of the felonies specified in: chs. 945 and 961, subch. V of ch. 551, and ss. 49.49, 134.05, 139.44 (1), (2m), and (8), 180.0129, 181.0129, 185.825, 201.09 (2), 215.12, 221.0625, 221.0636, 221.0637, 221.1004, 553.41 (3) and (4), 553.52 (2), 940.01, 940.19 (4) to (6), 940.20, 940.201, 940.203, 940.21, 940.30, 940.302 (2), 940.305, 940.31, 941.20 (2) and (3), 941.26, 941.28, 941.298, 941.31, 941.32, 942.09, 943.01 (2), (2d), or (2g), 943.011, 943.012, 943.013, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.05, 943.06, 943.10, 943.20 (3) (bf) to (e), 943.201, 943.203, 943.23 (2) and (3), 943.231 (1), 943.24 (2), 943.27, 943.28, 943.30, 943.32, 943.34 (1) (bf), (bm), and (c), 943.38, 943.39, 943.40, 943.41 (8) (b) and (c), 943.50 (4) (bf), (bm), and (c) and (4m), 943.60, 943.70, 943.76, 943.81, 943.82, 943.83, 943.84, 943.85, 943.86, 943.87, 943.88, 943.89, 943.90, 944.21 (5) (c) and (e), 944.32, 944.34, 945.03 (1m), 945.04 (1m), 945.05 (1), 945.08, 946.10, 946.11, 946.12, 946.13, 946.31, 946.32 (1), 946.48, 946.49, 946.61, 946.64, 946.65, 946.72, 946.76, 946.79, 947.015, 948.05, 948.051, 948.08, 948.12, and 948.30.

73,64a Section 64a. 995.15 of the statutes is created to read:

995.15 Electronic vaping device directory. (1) In this section:

(a) “Department” means the department of revenue.

(b) “Electronic vaping device” has the meaning given in s. 134.65 (1a) (b).

(2) No later than July 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, every manufacturer of electronic vaping devices that are sold in this state, either directly by the manufacturer or through a distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or similar intermediary, shall certify to the department, on a form and in the manner prescribed by the department, that the manufacturer shall comply with this section and that either of the following apply:

(a) The manufacturer has received a marketing authorization or similar order for the electronic vaping device from the U.S. food and drug administration pursuant to 21 USC 387j.

(b) The electronic vaping device was marketed in the United States as of August 8, 2016, the manufacturer submitted a pre-market tobacco product application for the electronic vaping device to the U.S. food and drug administration pursuant to 21 USC 387j on or before September 9, 2020, and either the application remains under review by the U.S. food and drug administration or a final decision on the application has not otherwise taken effect.

(3) At the time a manufacturer of electronic vaping devices submits the form under sub. (2), a manufacturer of electronic vaping devices shall submit, in the manner prescribed by the department, a form that separately lists each of the manufacturer's electronic vaping devices that are available for sale in this state. The manufacturer shall submit with the form, and in each year thereafter, a payment equal to the number of devices listed on the form, multiplied by $500.

(4) The submissions to the department under subs. (2) and (3) shall include a copy of the marketing authorization or similar order for the electronic vaping device issued by the U.S. food and drug administration pursuant to 21 USC 387j, as provided under sub. (2) (a), or evidence that the pre-market tobacco product application for the electronic vaping device was submitted to the U.S. food and drug administration, as provided under sub. (2) (b), and a final decision on the application has not otherwise taken effect.

(5) A manufacturer that is required to submit a certification form under this section shall notify the department within 30 days of any material change to the information contained in the certification form, including the issuance or denial of a marketing authorization or similar order by the U.S. food and drug administration pursuant to 21 USC 387j, as provided under sub. (2) (a), or any other order or action by the U.S. food and drug administration that affects the ability of the electronic vaping device to be introduced or delivered into interstate commerce for commercial distribution in the United States.

(6) Beginning March 1, 2025, the department shall maintain and make publicly available on its website a directory that lists all electronic vaping device manufacturers and electronic vaping devices for which certification forms have been submitted and shall update the directory at least monthly to ensure accuracy.

(7) (a) The department shall provide manufacturers notice and an opportunity to cure deficiencies in the directory maintained under sub. (6) before removing manufacturers or electronic vaping devices from the directory. The department may remove a manufacturer or the manufacturer's devices from the directory no sooner than 15 business days after the date on which the department sends the manufacturer notice under this paragraph. The department shall send the notice under this paragraph by email or facsimile to the email address or facsimile number provided by the manufacturer in the manufacturer's most recent certification submitted under this section.

(b) A manufacturer that receives notice under par. (a) has no more than 15 business days to respond to the notice and provide sufficient information, as determined by the department, in order for the manufacturer or the manufacturer's electronic vaping devices to remain in the directory maintained under sub. (6).

(c) A determination by the department to not include or to remove from the directory maintained under sub. (6) a manufacturer or an electronic vaping device shall be subject to review by the filing of a civil action for prospective declaratory or injunctive relief.

(8) If an electronic vaping device is removed from the directory maintained under sub. (6), each retailer, distributor, and wholesaler that has such a device in its inventory shall remove the device from its inventory no later 21 days after the date on which the device is removed from the directory and return the device to the manufacturer for disposal. After 21 days following removal from the directory, the electronic vaping devices of a manufacturer identified in the notice under sub. (7) (a) are subject to seizure, forfeiture, and destruction, and may not be purchased or sold in this state. The cost of such seizure, forfeiture, and destruction shall be borne by the person from whom the electronic vaping devices are confiscated.

(9) (a) Beginning March 1, 2025, or on the date that the department first makes the directory maintained under sub. (6) available for public inspection on its website, whichever is later, the department shall impose on each retailer who sells or offers for sale an electronic vaping device in this state that is not included in the directory a forfeiture of $1,000 per day for each electronic vaping device offered for sale in violation of this section until each such device is no longer offered for sale in this state or until each such device is properly listed on the directory pursuant to this section.

(b) Beginning March 1, 2025, or on the date that the department first makes the directory maintained under sub. (6) available for public inspection on its website, whichever is later, the department shall impose on each manufacturer of an electronic vaping device that is sold in this state, but not included in the directory a forfeiture of $1,000 per day for each electronic vaping device offered for sale in violation of this section until each such device is no longer offered for sale in this state or until each such device is properly listed on the directory pursuant to this section.

(c) Any retailer, distributor, wholesaler, or manufacturer who violates this section engages in an unfair and deceptive trade practice in violation of s. 100.20.

(10) Section 139.82, as it applies to records and inspections under subch. III of ch. 139, applies to records and inspections under this section.

(11) (a) Any electronic vaping device sold, offered for sale, or possessed for sale, in this state, in violation of this section shall be deemed contraband and such devices shall be subject to seizure in the manner provided under s. 139.40 for the seizure of cigarettes. All electronic vaping devices that are seized as provided under this paragraph shall be destroyed and not resold.

(b) The duly authorized employees of the department have all necessary police powers to prevent violations of this section.

(12) (a) Upon request by the secretary of revenue, the attorney general may represent this state or assist a district attorney in prosecuting any case arising under this section.

(b) The state shall be entitled to recover the costs of investigation, expert witness fees, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees for any action brought by the state to enforce this section.

(13) Section 995.12 (3), as it applies to an agent for service of process under s. 995.12, applies to an agent for service of process under this section.

(14) The department may promulgate rules to administer this section.

(15) No later than July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the department shall provide a report to the legislature, as provided under s. 13.172 (2), regarding the status of the directory maintained under sub. (6), manufacturers and electronic vaping devices included in the directory, revenue and expenditures related to administration of this section, and enforcement activities undertaken pursuant to this section.

73,64b Section 64b. Tax 8.87 of the administrative code is repealed.

73,64c Section 64c. Nonstatutory provisions.

(1) Transfer of alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement functions.

(a) Definitions. In this subsection:

1. “Department” means the department of revenue.

2. “Division” means the division of alcohol beverages in the department.

3. “Secretary” means the secretary of revenue.

(b) Assets and liabilities. On the effective date of this paragraph, the assets and liabilities of the department primarily related to alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement under ch. 125, as determined by the secretary, become the assets and liabilities of the division.

(c) Tangible personal property. On the effective date of this paragraph, all tangible personal property, including records, of the department that is primarily related to alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement under ch. 125, as determined by the secretary, is transferred to the division.

(d) Contracts. All contracts entered into by the department in effect on the effective date of this paragraph that are primarily related to alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement under ch. 125, as determined by the secretary, remain in effect and are transferred to the division. The division shall carry out any obligations under those contracts unless modified or rescinded by the division to the extent allowed under the contract.

(e) Position and employee transfers. On the effective date of this paragraph, all positions, and the incumbent employees who hold those positions, in the department with duties that are primarily related to alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement under ch. 125, as determined by the secretary, are transferred to the division.

(f) Employee status. Employees transferred under par. (e) have all the rights and the same status under ch. 230 in the division that they enjoyed in the department immediately before the transfer. Notwithstanding s. 230.28 (4), no employee transferred under par. (e ) who has attained permanent status in class is required to serve a probationary period.

(g) Rules and orders. All rules promulgated by the department that relate to alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement under ch. 125 and that are in effect on the effective date of this paragraph remain in effect until their specified expiration dates or until amended or repealed by the division. All orders issued by the department that relate to alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement under ch. 125 and that are in effect on the effective date of this paragraph remain in effect until their specified expiration dates or until modified or rescinded by the division.

(h) Pending matters. Any matter pending with the department on the effective date of this paragraph that is primarily related to alcohol beverages regulation and enforcement under ch. 125, as determined by the secretary, is transferred to the division. All materials submitted to or actions taken by the department with respect to the pending matters are considered as having been submitted to or taken by the division.

(i) Fees. All fees established by the department related to permits issued under ch. 125 that are in effect on the day before the effective date of this paragraph shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the division.

(j) Secretary to develop plan for orderly transfer. The secretary shall develop a plan for an orderly transfer from the department to the division and shall resolve any disagreement between the department and the division with respect to any matter specified in this subsection. The secretary's plan for orderly transfer shall include the transfer of positions under par. (e ) plus the transfer of a sufficient number of currently vacant authorized FTE positions in the department to total 20.0 FTE positions in the division as well as initial staffing assignments in the division.

(2) Transition; permit issuer. On the effective date of this subsection, any permit issued by the department of revenue under ch. 125 prior to the effective date of this subsection shall be considered to have been issued by the division of alcohol beverages.

(3) Expiration of retail licenses held by producers. Notwithstanding s. 125.04 (11) (b), any retail license issued under ch. 125 to a winery or a brewer shall expire on the effective date of this subsection and the license shall be nonrenewable.

(4) Retail closing hour exception for 2024 national political convention.

(a) In this subsection:

1. “Convention period” means the period beginning on the first day of a national political convention held in Milwaukee in the summer of 2024 until the day after the convention's last day.

2. “Municipality” has the meaning given in s. 125.02 (11).

3. “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), but subject to subds. 2. and 3., during the convention period, 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.

2. A southeast Wisconsin municipality may establish a process to designate, and may so designate, any licensee holding a license issued by the southeast Wisconsin municipality and to which subd. 1. would otherwise apply as ineligible or disqualified for the extended closing hour specified in subd. 1.

3. Notwithstanding s. 125.32 (3) (d), a southeast Wisconsin municipality may, by ordinance adopted after the effective date of this subdivision, opt out of subd. 1. and retain during the convention period the closing hours specified in s. 125.32 (3) (a).

(c) 1. Notwithstanding s. 125.68 (4) (c) 1., but subject to subds. 2. and 3., during the convention period, 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.

3. Notwithstanding s. 125.68 (4) (c) 5., a southeast Wisconsin municipality may, by ordinance adopted after the effective date of this subdivision, opt out of subd. 1. and retain during the convention period the closing hours specified in s. 125.68 (4) (c) 1.

(d) 1. Notwithstanding ss. 125.29 (8) (a), 125.52 (5) (a), and 125.53 (4) (a), but subject to subds. 2. and 3., during the convention period, the closing hours for a full-service retail outlet under s. 125.29 (7), 125.52 (4), or 125.53 (3), and the on-premises sales hours on brewery premises, manufacturing or rectifying premises, and winery premises, operating in a southeast Wisconsin municipality shall be between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.

2. A southeast Wisconsin municipality may establish a process to designate, and may so designate, premises in the municipality of any permittee under s. 125.29, 125.52, or 125.53 to which subd. 1. would otherwise apply as ineligible or disqualified for the extended closing hour specified in subd. 1.

3. A southeast Wisconsin municipality may, by ordinance adopted after the effective date of this subdivision, opt out of subd. 1. and retain during the convention period the closing hours specified in ss. 125.29 (8) (a), 125.52 (5) (a), and 125.53 (4) (a), as unaffected by par. (b).

(5m) Transition; initial implementation authority. The administrator of the division of income, sales and excise tax in the department of revenue shall have interim authority to undertake all measures necessary to implement the changes in this act by the effective date of each change, including taking action in preparation for the creation of a division of alcohol beverages and appointment of a division administrator and bureau directors.

73,64d Section 64d. Initial applicability.