(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.
73,64bSection 64b. Tax 8.87 of the administrative code is repealed. 73,64cSection 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.
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. 125.68 (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.
73,64dSection 64d. Initial applicability. (1) Safe ride surcharge. The treatment of s. 346.657 (1) first applies to violations committed on the effective date of this subsection.
(2) Jurisdiction over out-of-state permittees. The treatment of s. 125.535 (3) (b) 3., (c), (d), and (e), the renumbering of s. 125.58 (2), the renumbering and amendment of s. 125.30 (3), the amendment of s. 125.30 (2), and the creation of ss. 125.30 (2) (d) and (3) (b) and 125.58 (2) (b) and (c) first apply with respect to permits issued after the effective date of this subsection.
73,65Section 65. Effective dates. This act takes effect on the first day of the 5th month beginning after publication, except as follows: (1) Retail sale of electronic vaping devices. The treatment of ss. 134.65 (title), (1), (1g), (1r), (2m), (3m), (4), (5m), and (8) and 134.66 (1) (g), the renumbering and amendment of s. 134.65 (1m), and the creation of s. 134.65 (1m) (a) 1. and 2. and (b) take effect on the 90th day after the day of publication.
(2m) DOR Enforcement; alcohol vapor devices. The treatment of ss. 40.02 (48) (am) 19. and (c), 71.78 (1), (1g), (4) (b) and (v), (5), and (6), 71.83 (6), 72.06, 73.03 (51b), 73.031, 77.61 (5) (am), (b) 2. and 15., (c), and (d), 78.80 (3), 125.02 (1c), 125.09 (8), 134.65 (1a), 139.11 (4) (a) (intro.), 139.38 (6), 139.44 (2), (2m), and (8) (a), (am), (b), (c), and (d), 139.82 (6), 230.36 (1m) (b) 2. (intro.) and (2m) (a) 9., 565.01 (6c), 565.02 (9) (intro.), 565.17 (5) (a) and (d), 565.40 (title) and (4), 565.50 (2), (2m), (3), and (4), 946.82 (4), and 995.15, the renumbering of s. 565.02 (8) (e), and the renumbering and amendment of s. 565.02 (8) (f) take effect on the day after publication.
(3m) Transition; initial implementation authority. Section 64c of this act takes effect on the day after publication.
(4m) Fulfillment houses and common carriers. The treatment of ss. 125.02 (6d), 125.025 (3) (by Section 21m), 125.12 (5) (a) (by Section 25L), 125.22, 125.23, 125.535 (7), 125.68 (10) (a) and (b), 139.08 (5), and 139.11 (1) (by Section 40o) and (4) (b) 2. takes effect on the first day of the 13th month beginning after publication.
(5m) New permit fees. The treatment of s. 125.04 (8) (title), the renumbering of s. 125.04 (8), and the creation of s. 125.04 (8) (b) take effect on the first day of the 13th month beginning after publication.
(6m) Cooperative wholesalers. The treatment of ss. 125.545 (title), (1) (a), (ar), (cm), (d), (e), and (em), (2) (a) 1., 3. b., and 4., (b), and (c), (3) (a) 2. (by Section 26hc) and 2m., (b), and (c), (4), (6) (a) 1. (by Section 26hk), 2m., 3m., and 4. (by Section 26hq), and (7) (by Section 26ht) and 185.043 (2) (by Section 49d) takes effect on the first day of the 13th month beginning after publication.
(7m) Operator’s permit. The treatment of ss. 125.02 (14m) (by Section 21g), 125.04 (3) (a) (intro.) (by Section 21rm) and (5) (a) 5. (by Section 23h) and (d) 1., 2., and 3. a., 125.045 (2) (a) (by Section 24g), 125.06 (3g), 125.07 (3) (a) 10., 125.175, 125.26 (2m) and (2s) (b), 125.32 (2) (by Section 26dy), 125.51 (3) (bm) and (bs) 2., 125.68 (2) (by Section 26jt), and 139.01 (4) (by Section 40d) takes effect on the first day of the 13th month beginning after publication.
(8m) No-fee event venue permits; consumption of alcohol in public places. The treatment of ss. 125.02 (14m) (by Section 21h), 125.09 (1) (b) and (c), 125.24, 125.51 (4) (v) 5., and 139.01 (4) (by Section 40e), the renumbering and amendment of s. 125.09 (1), the amendment of ss. 125.04 (8) (b) and 125.20 (5) (c) and (d), and the creation of ss. 125.28 (2) (b) 1. j., 125.29 (2) (a) 6., 125.295 (2) (a) 6. g., 125.30 (3) (c) 5., and 125.69 (1) (a) 5., (b) 5m., (c) 9., and (d) 5. take effect on the first day of the 25th month beginning after publication.
(9m) Administrative rules. The repeal of s. Tax 8.87, Wis. Adm. Code, takes effect as provided in s. 227.265.
