The bill also requires each internet service provider in this state to register with
PSC.
Extended closing hours during special events
Under current law, with limited exceptions, no person may sell alcohol
beverages to a consumer unless the seller possesses a license or permit authorizing
the sale. A Class “B" license authorizes the retail sale of fermented malt beverages
(beer) for consumption on or off the premises. A “Class B" license authorizes the
retail sale of intoxicating liquor, which includes wine and distilled spirits, for
consumption on the licensed premises and, subject to restrictions, the retail sale of
intoxicating liquor in original packages for consumption off the licensed premises.
A “Class C" license, which may be issued only for a restaurant, authorizes the retail
sale of wine for consumption on the premises. A retailer operating under a Class “B,"
“Class B,” or “Class C” license may not remain open between the hours of 2 a.m. and
6 a.m. on weekdays or between 2:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The bill allows a municipality to designate by ordinance a special event lasting
fewer than eight consecutive days during which closing hours for premises that
obtain a special event permit from the municipality and that are operating under a
Class “B,” “Class B,” or “Class C” license in the municipality are extended. Under
the bill, the municipality may extend the closing hour for such premises to no later
than 4 a.m. during the special event. A municipality may not designate more than
four special events in a calendar year.
Sales of alcohol beverages at State Fair Park
The bill allows a person approved by the State Fair Park Board to sell, without
a license or permit, alcohol beverages for consumption at the state fair park. The bill
specifies that the State Fair Park Board may not grant such approval unless the
person meets certain eligibility requirements applicable to retail licensees and that
such approval is also required for retail sales by brewers and brewpubs at State Fair
Park.
DOR publication of list of alcohol beverage retail licensees
The bill requires DOR to publish a list of retail licensees on DOR's website.
Under current law, DOR issues alcohol beverage permits and municipalities issue
alcohol beverage licenses. Each municipality must annually provide DOR with a list
of the municipality's retail licensees, including name, address, and type of license.
The bill requires DOR to publish this list on DOR's website.
Economic development
WEDC venture capital fund of funds program
The bill directs WEDC to establish and administer a fund of funds program to
invest in venture capital funds that invest in Wisconsin businesses. The bill requires
WEDC to create a fund of funds that will continuously reinvest its assets and to
create an oversight board whose duties include contracting with an investment
manager.
The bill directs the oversight board to establish investment policies for the
program. Under the bill, the program's moneys must be committed for investment
to venture capital funds no later than 60 months after the fund of funds is created
and no more than $25,000,000 may be invested in any single venture capital fund.
The bill requires that at least 20 percent of the investments made through the
program be directed to businesses located in parts of the state that typically do not
receive significant venture capital fund investment, minority-owned businesses,
and women-owned businesses. The bill prohibits any investment in lobbying and
law firms.
Under the bill, the investment manager must contract with each venture
capital fund that receives moneys through the program. The contract must require
the venture capital fund to do all of the following:
1. Make new investments in an amount equal to the moneys it receives through
the program in businesses who are headquartered, and whose operations are
primarily, in Wisconsin.
2. At least match the amount it receives through the program and invests in
a business with an investment in that same business of moneys from sources other
than the program. The investment manager must ensure that, on average, for every
$1 a venture capital fund receives through the program and invests in a business,
the venture capital fund invests $2 in that business from sources other than the
program.
3. Provide the investment manager with the information necessary to complete
the reports described below.
The bill requires the investment manager to annually submit to WEDC an
audit of the investment manager's financial statements, the rate of return from
investments made through the program, and information on each venture capital
fund participating in the program and business in which investment were made.
WEDC must submit this information to the legislature. The bill also requires the
investment manager to submit quarterly reports to the oversight board.
Changes to the state main street program
Under current law, WEDC is required to establish and administer a state main
street program to coordinate state and local participation in programs offered by the
national main street center to assist municipalities in planning, managing, and
implementing programs for the revitalization of commercial areas having historical
significance. Under the current state main street program, WEDC is required to do
all of the following:
1. Contract with the national main street center for services related to
revitalizing commercial areas having historical significance.
2. Develop a plan describing the objectives of the state main street program and
the methods by which WEDC will carry out certain responsibilities specified by law.
3. Coordinate with other state and local public and private entities in relation
to the state main street program.
4. Annually select, upon application, up to five municipalities to participate in
the state main street program. The program for each municipality concludes after
five years. The corporation is required to select program participants representing
various geographical regions and populations.
5. Develop objective criteria for use in selecting participants in the state main
street program.
6. Provide training, technical assistance, and information on the revitalization
of commercial areas that have historical significance to municipalities not
participating in the state main street program.
7. Annually expend at least $250,000 annually on the state main street
program.
The bill substantially replaces WEDC's duties under the state main street
program and instead requires WEDC, in accordance with guidelines of the national
main street center, to assist municipalities in planning, managing, and
implementing programs for the revitalization of downtown areas and historic
commercial districts, including by doing all of the following:
1. Assisting communities in restoring and retaining the historic character of
their downtown areas and historic commercial districts.
2. Promoting business investment, assisting in retaining existing small
businesses, and promoting new businesses in downtown areas and historic
commercial districts.