SB83: Bill Text

LRB-2276/1

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2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Senate BILL 83

March 7, 2019 - Introduced by Senators Kooyenga, Craig, Erpenbach, Stroebel, L. Taylor and Nass, cosponsored by Representatives Vorpagel, Subeck, Duchow, Gundrum, Hutton, Jagler, Kitchens, Macco, Ramthun, Tusler, Vruwink, Wichgers and Brandtjen. Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Commerce and Trade.

SB83,1,2 An Act to amend 125.51 (3) (b) of the statutes; relating to: retail sales of intoxicating liquor for consumption off the licensed premises.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill allows certain liquor retailers to sell distilled spirits, in any quantity, for off-premises consumption in municipalities that allow such off-premises sales.

Under current law, with specific exceptions, no person may sell alcohol beverages at retail unless the person possesses a license or permit authorizing the sale. A “Class B" license, issued by a municipality, authorizes the retail sale of intoxicating liquor, which includes wine and distilled spirits, for consumption on the licensed premises and also authorizes the retail sale, in any quantity, of wine in the original package or container for consumption off the licensed premises. In addition, a municipality may, by ordinance, authorize “Class B” licensees to sell, in quantities not exceeding four liters at any one time, distilled spirits in the original package or container for consumption off the licensed premises.

This bill eliminates the four-liter limit on “Class B” licensees for distilled spirits sales for off-premises consumption in municipalities that, by ordinance, allow such off-premises sales.

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

SB83,1 Section 1. 125.51 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB83,2,9 125.51 (3) (b) In all municipalities electing by ordinance to come under this paragraph, a retail “Class B" license authorizes the sale of intoxicating liquor to be consumed by the glass only on the premises where sold and also authorizes the sale of intoxicating liquor in the original package or container, in multiples not to exceed 4 liters at any one time, and any quantity, to be consumed off the premises where sold. Wine, however, may be sold for consumption off the premises in the original package or otherwise in any quantity. This paragraph does not apply to a winery that has been issued a “Class B" license. Paragraph (am) applies to all wineries that have been issued a “Class B" license.

SB83,2,10 (End)