AB273: Bill Text

AB273,8 Section 8. 71.78 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,20 71.78 (6) Restriction on use of information. The use of information obtained under sub. (4) or (5) is restricted to the discharge of duties imposed upon the persons by law or by the duties of their office or by order of a court as provided under sub. (4) (f) or (v).

AB273,9 Section 9. 71.83 (6) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,22 71.83 (6) Automated sales suppression devices and phantomware. (a) Definitions. In this subsection:

AB273,,23 1. “Automated sales suppression device” means a software program, including programs accessed through the Internet or by any other means, that falsifies the electronic records, including transaction data and transaction reports, of electronic cash registers and other point-of-sale systems.

AB273,,24 2. “Electronic cash register” means a device that keeps a register or supporting documents by means of an electronic device or computer system designed to record transaction data for the purpose of computing, compiling, or processing retail sales transaction data or transaction reports.

AB273,,25 3. “Phantomware” means a programming option embedded in the operating system of an electronic cash register, or hardwired into an electronic cash register, that can be used to create a virtual second electronic cash register or eliminate or manipulate transaction records that may or may not be preserved in digital formats to represent the true or manipulated record of transactions in the electronic cash register.

AB273,,26 4. “Transaction data” includes items purchased by a customer, the price for each item, a taxability determination for each item, a segregated tax amount for each of the taxed items, the amount of cash or credit tendered, the net amount returned to the customer in change, the date and time of the purchase, the name, address, and identification number of the vendor, and the receipt or invoice number of the transaction.

AB273,,27 5. “Transaction report” means a report that includes the sales, taxes collected, media totals, and discount voids at an electronic cash register that is printed on cash register tape at the end of a day or shift or a report documenting every action at an electronic cash register that is stored electronically.

AB273,,28 (b) Automated sales suppression devices and phantomware. Any person who creates, designs, manufactures, sells, purchases, leases, installs, updates, repairs, services, transfers, uses, or possesses in this state or accesses from this state phantomware or an automated sales suppression device, unless for a legitimate purpose, is guilty of a Class D felony.

AB273,10 Section 10. 72.06 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,30 72.06 Sections 71.78 (1), (1g), (1m), and (4) to (9) and 71.83 (2) (a) 3. and 3m. apply to any information obtained from any person by the department on a death tax return, report, schedule, exhibit or other document or from an audit report pertaining to the tax return.

AB273,11 Section 11. 73.03 (51b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,32 73.03 (51b) To revoke all permits, licenses, and certificates that the department has issued to a person for up to 10 years for violating s. 71.83 (6) (b).

AB273,12 Section 12. 73.031 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,34 73.031 Arrest powers; authority. A special agent of the department of revenue who has been certified as a law enforcement officer by the law enforcement standards board and who is on duty may arrest a person if the special agent believes, on reasonable grounds, that a warrant for the person’s arrest has been issued in this state, that a felony warrant has been issued in another state, that the person is violating or has violated under the conditions set forth in s. 968.07. Pursuant to s. 175.38, special agents may investigate violations of s. 945.03 (2m) or, 945.04 (2m), or that the person is violating or has violated s. 945.05 (1m) in a case in which the department determines that the video gambling machine involved is likely to be used in connection with a violation of s. 945.03 (2m) or 945.04 (2m) or if a crime has been committed in the presence of the special agent. The special agent shall cause the person arrested and the documents and reports pertaining to the arrest to be delivered to the chief of police or sheriff in the jurisdiction where the arrest is made. The special agent shall be available as a witness for the state. A special agent acting under this section is an employee of the department and is subject to its direction, benefits and legal protection.

AB273,13 Section 13. 77.61 (5) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,36 77.61 (5) (am) Notwithstanding par. (a), an employee of the department may, in connection with the employee’s official duties, disclose information derived from a return specified in par. (a) to the extent that the disclosure is necessary for the enforcement of the tax laws of this state. The disclosure shall be limited to the information relevant to a particular matter in connection with an audit, collection, inspection, or investigation.

AB273,14 Section 14. 77.61 (5) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,38 77.61 (5) (b) 2. The attorney general and department of justice employees. A department of justice employee may, in connection with the employee’s official duties, disclose information derived under this subdivision to a law enforcement investigator participating in a department of justice investigation. The disclosure shall be limited to the information relevant to a particular matter in connection with the department of justice investigation.

AB273,15 Section 15. 77.61 (5) (b) 15. of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,40 77.61 (5) (b) 15. A federal grand jury or grand jury of this state, upon receipt by the department of a grand jury subpoena.

AB273,16 Section 16. 77.61 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,42 77.61 (5) (c) Copies of sales tax or use tax returns, schedules, exhibits, writings or audit reports shall not be furnished to the persons listed under par. (b), except persons under par. (b) 5. or 15. or under an agreement between the department and another agency of government.

AB273,17 Section 17. 77.61 (5) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,44 77.61 (5) (d) The use of information obtained under par. (b) or (c) is restricted to the discharge of duties imposed upon the persons by law or by the duties of their office or by order of a court as specified under par. (b) 6. or 15.

AB273,18 Section 18. 78.80 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,46 78.80 (3) Sections 71.78 (1), (1g), and (4) to (9) and 71.83 (2) (a) 3., relating to confidentiality of income and franchise tax returns, apply to any information obtained from any person on a motor vehicle fuel, general aviation fuel or alternate fuels tax return, report, schedule, exhibit, or other document or from an audit report pertaining to the same.

AB273,19 Section 19. 125.02 (1c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,48 125.02 (1c) “Alcohol vapor device” means any device that provides for the use of air or oxygen bubbled through an alcohol beverage to produce a vapor or mist that allows the user to inhale this alcoholic vapor through the mouth or nose.

AB273,20 Section 20. 125.02 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 125.02 (6) (intro.) and amended to read:

AB273,,50 125.02 (6) (intro.) “Fermented malt beverages” means any of the following:

AB273,,51 (a) Any beverage made by the alcohol fermentation of an infusion in potable water of barley malt and hops, with or without unmalted grains or decorticated and degerminated grains or sugar containing 0.5 percent or more of alcohol by volume.

AB273,21 Section 21. 125.02 (6) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,53 125.02 (6) (b) Any beverage recognized by the federal department of the treasury as beer under 27 CFR 25.11, except sake or similar products.

AB273,22 Section 22. 125.04 (3) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,55 125.04 (3) (h) Subsequent changes. Within 10 30 days of any change in any fact set out in an application for a license or permit to sell alcohol beverages, the licensee or permittee shall file with the issuing authority a written description of the changed fact.

AB273,23 Section 23. 125.04 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,57 125.04 (4) List of licensees. By July 15 annually, the clerk of a municipality issuing licenses shall mail to the department a list containing the name, address, and trade name of each person holding a license issued by that municipality, other than a manager’s or operator’s license or a license issued under s. 125.26 (6), the type of license held, and, if the person holding the license is a corporation or limited liability company, the name of the agent appointed under sub. (6). The department shall annually publish this list on the department’s website.

AB273,24 Section 24. 125.04 (8m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,59 125.04 (8m) Payment of criminal history fees. Any fees incurred by the department under s. 165.82 (1) (am) for purposes of verifying a permit applicant’s eligibility under sub. (5) (a) 1. and (b) shall be paid by the applicant to the department upon application for the permit.

AB273,25 Section 25. 125.09 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,61 125.09 (8) Alcohol vapor devices. No person may use or offer for use, possess, or sell or offer for sale in this state an alcohol vapor device.

AB273,26 Section 26. 125.12 (7) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,63 125.12 (7) Reapplication for permit after revocation. If the department revokes any permit issued under this chapter, the applicant or permit holder may not reapply for the permit for a period of 6 months after the date of the revocation.

AB273,27 Section 27. 134.65 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,65 134.65 (title) Cigarette, electronic vaping devices, and tobacco products retailer license.

AB273,28 Section 28. 134.65 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 134.65 (1d) and amended to read:

AB273,,67 134.65 (1d) No person shall in any manner, or upon any pretense, or by any device, directly or indirectly sell, expose for sale, possess with intent to sell, exchange, barter, dispose of or give away any cigarettes, electronic vaping devices, or tobacco products to any person not holding a license as herein provided or a permit under ss. 139.30 to 139.41 or 139.79 without first obtaining a license from the clerk of the city, village or town wherein such privilege is sought to be exercised.

AB273,29 Section 29. 134.65 (1a) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,69 134.65 (1a) In this section:

AB273,,70 (a) “Cigarette” has the meaning given in s. 139.30 (1m).

AB273,,71 (b) “Electronic vaping device” means a device that may be used to deliver any aerosolized or vaporized liquid or other substance for inhalation, regardless of whether the liquid or other substance contains nicotine, including an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, vape pen, or e-hookah. “Electronic vaping device” includes a component, part, or accessory of the device, and includes a liquid or other substance that may be aerosolized or vaporized by such device, regardless of whether the liquid or other substance contains nicotine. “Electronic vaping device” does not include a battery or battery charger when sold separately. “Electronic vaping device” does not include drugs, devices, or combination products authorized for sale by the U.S. food and drug administration, as those terms are defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

AB273,,72 (c) “Tobacco products” has the meaning given in s. 139.75 (12).

AB273,,73 (d) “Vending machine” has the meaning given in s. 139.30 (14).

AB273,30 Section 30. 134.65 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,75 134.65 (1g) (a) The department of revenue shall create an application form for licenses issued under sub. (1d). The form shall require all of the following information from an applicant:

AB273,,76 1. The applicant’s history relevant to the applicant’s fitness to hold a license under sub. (1d).

AB273,,77 2. The kind of license for which the applicant is applying.

AB273,,78 3. The premises where cigarettes, electronic vaping devices, or tobacco products will be sold or stored.

AB273,,79 4. If the applicant is a corporation, the identity of the corporate officers and agent.

AB273,,80 5. If the applicant is a limited liability company, the identity of the company members or managers and agent.

AB273,,81 6. The applicant’s trade name, if any.

AB273,,82 7. Whether the applicant will sell, exchange, barter, dispose of, or give away the cigarettes, electronic vaping devices, or tobacco products over the counter or in a vending machine, or both.

AB273,,83 8. Any other information required by the department of revenue.

AB273,,84 (b) The department of revenue shall make the form prepared under this subsection available to all cities, villages, and towns.

AB273,,85 (c) An applicant for a license under sub. (1d) shall use the form prepared under this subsection.

AB273,,86 (d) An application for a license under sub. (1d) shall be signed by the applicant and the applicant shall submit the application to the clerk of the city, village, or town where the intended place of sale is located.

AB273,,87 (e) Within 30 days of any change in any fact set forth in an application for a license under sub. (1d), the applicant or licensee shall file a written description of the change with the clerk of the city, village, or town where the application was submitted.

AB273,,88 (f) Any person may inspect applications for a license under sub. (1d). The clerk of a city, village, or town where such applications are submitted shall retain all applications, except that the clerk may destroy any application that is 4 or more years old.

AB273,31 Section 31. 134.65 (1m) of the statutes is renumbered 134.65 (1m) (a) (intro.) and amended to read:

AB273,,90 134.65 (1m) (a) (intro.) A city, village, or town clerk may not issue a license under sub. (1) (1d) unless the applicant specifies in the license application whether the applicant will sell, exchange, barter, dispose of, or give away the cigarette or tobacco products over the counter or in a vending machine, or both. meets all of the following requirements:

AB273,32 Section 32. 134.65 (1m) (a) 1. and 2. of the statutes are created to read:

AB273,,92 134.65 (1m) (a) 1. Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, the applicant has not habitually been a law offender or been convicted of a felony unless pardoned.

AB273,,93 2. The applicant has submitted the proof required under s. 77.61 (11).

AB273,33 Section 33. 134.65 (1m) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,95 134.65 (1m) (b) The requirements under par. (a) apply to all partners of a partnership, all members of a limited liability company, all agents of a limited liability company or corporation, and all officers of a corporation. Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335, if a business entity has been convicted of a crime, the entity may not be issued a license under sub. (1d) unless the entity has terminated its relationship with the individuals whose actions directly contributed to the conviction.

AB273,34 Section 34. 134.65 (1r) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,97 134.65 (1r) A city, village, or town clerk may not require an applicant’s signature on an application for a cigarette, electronic vaping devices, and tobacco products retailer license to be notarized. If a city, village, town, or any department of this state prepares an application form for a cigarette, electronic vaping devices, and tobacco products retailer license, the form may not require an applicant’s signature on the form to be notarized.

AB273,35 Section 35. 134.65 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,99 134.65 (2m) Annually, no later than July 15, the clerk of a city, village, or town issuing licenses under sub. (1d) shall submit to the department of revenue, in a manner prescribed by the department, a list of licenses issued by the city, village, or town under sub. (1d) during the previous fiscal year. The list shall include the name, address, seller’s permit number, and trade name of the licensee and the type of license held. The department of revenue shall publish this list annually on the department’s website.

AB273,36 Section 36. 134.65 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB273,,101 134.65 (3m) A person holding a license under sub. (1d) shall enclose the license in a frame that has a transparent front that allows the license to be read clearly. The licensee shall conspicuously display the license for public inspection at all times in the room or place where the activity subject to licensure is carried out.

AB273,37 Section 37. 134.65 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,103 134.65 (4) Every licensed retailer shall keep complete and accurate records of all purchases and receipts of cigarettes, electronic vaping devices, and tobacco products. Such records shall be preserved on the licensed premises for 2 years in such a manner as to insure permanency and accessibility for inspection and shall be subject to inspection at all reasonable hours by authorized state and local law enforcement officials.

AB273,38 Section 38. 134.65 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,105 134.65 (5m) Any person who knowingly provides materially false information in an application for a cigarette, electronic vaping devices, and tobacco products retailer license under this section may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.

AB273,39 Section 39. 134.65 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB273,,107 134.65 (8) The uniform licensing of cigarette, electronic vaping devices, and tobacco products retailers is a matter of statewide concern. A city, village, or town may adopt an ordinance regulating the issuance, suspension, revocation, or renewal of a license under this section only if the ordinance strictly conforms to this section. If a city, village, or town has in effect on May 1, 2016, an ordinance that does not strictly conform to this section, the ordinance does not apply and may not be enforced.