AB59: Bill Text

LRB-1178/1

ARG:wlj:jf

2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

2011 Assembly BILL 59

March 24, 2011 - Introduced by Representatives Steineke, A. Ott, Brooks, Kerkman, Kooyenga, Spanbauer, Tauchen and Weininger, cosponsored by Senators Cowles, Kedzie, Lassa, Olsen and Schultz. Referred to Committee on Rural Economic Development and Rural Affairs.

AB59,1,3 An Act to repeal 125.545 (5) (a); to renumber 125.545 (5) (b); and to amend 36.11 (40) and 125.545 (5) (title) of the statutes; relating to: semiannual meetings of small winery cooperative wholesalers.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, between October 1 and December 31, 2008, the Department of Revenue (DOR) was authorized to issue intoxicating liquor wholesalers' permits to small winery cooperatives (cooperative wholesalers). DOR was limited to issuing a total of six such permits. Only wineries certified by DOR as small wineries can be members of a cooperative wholesaler. With respect to alcohol beverage products, a cooperative wholesaler can sell and distribute only the wine of its members, which can be sold or distributed only to retailers or other wholesalers.

Under current law, at least once every six months the board of directors of a cooperative wholesaler must meet in person with DOR and the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (CFC). Current law specifies various requirements related to these meetings, including that publicly available reports be prepared by DOR and the CFC as a result of these meetings.

This bill eliminates this meeting and report requirement.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

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

AB59, s. 1 Section 1. 36.11 (40) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB59,2,4 36.11 (40) Center for cooperatives. The board shall maintain a center for cooperatives at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The center shall comply with the requirements specified in s. 125.545 (5) (a).

AB59, s. 2 Section 2. 125.545 (5) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB59,2,6 125.545 (5) (title) Semiannual meetings and biennial Biennial reports.

AB59, s. 3 Section 3. 125.545 (5) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB59, s. 4 Section 4. 125.545 (5) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 125.545 (5).

AB59,2,9 (End)