Wisconsin invoice to control marriage ceremony barns and overhaul state liquor legal guidelines wins bipartisan help

MADISON, Wis. — A proposal to control marriage ceremony barns in Wisconsin as a part of an overhaul of the state’s liquor legal guidelines gained bipartisan help Thursday, advancing because the Republican-controlled Legislature strikes swiftly to enact the sweeping invoice.

An Assembly committee voted 12-2 to cross the measure simply two days after a public listening to at which house owners of marriage ceremony barns throughout the state mentioned the proposed adjustments would put them out of enterprise. The invoice, which has been years within the making, was introduced by Republican legislative leaders and agreed to by stakeholders with a big selection of pursuits. It impacts each degree of the state’s alcohol trade – governing the licensing, producing, promoting and distribution of beer, wine and liquor.

The invoice additionally makes an attempt to resolve questions on primarily rural amenities that host weddings and different occasions the place alcohol is served. The amenities, which have grown in reputation in recent times and operated in a authorized grey space, presently don’t want a liquor license to function.

Under the invoice, marriage ceremony barns that host greater than six occasions a yr must receive a Class B liquor license, which might permit them to serve beer and wine.

Lawmakers on the Assembly’s state affairs committee on Thursday dismissed issues introduced by some marriage ceremony barn house owners that the necessities have been too onerous.

“This bill is not going to put anyone out of business,” mentioned Republican Rep. Michael Schraa. “They just have to change their business model a little bit.”

Committee chair, Republican Rep. Rob Swearingen, mentioned marriage ceremony barns have been the “wild west” and wanted to be regulated within the identify of public security.

“We’re talking about beverage: alcohol,” he mentioned. “We’re not talking about chocolate milk.”

Democratic Rep. Tod Ohnstad, one in every of three Democrats who joined all 9 Republicans in voting to cross the invoice, mentioned it makes an attempt to degree the enjoying area for banquet halls, taverns and others who should get liquor licenses to function and marriage ceremony barns, which don’t want a license.

The Legislature was anticipated to cross it on Wednesday, which might then ship it to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. His spokesperson didn’t instantly return a message looking for touch upon the measure. Evers’ administration was concerned with the drafting of the invoice.

Wedding barns are only one small a part of the proposal that makes adjustments to the state’s so-called three-tier system, created within the Thirties. The three-tier system refers to alcohol suppliers, distributors and retailers. The system, designed to forestall monopolies, has been eyed for adjustments for years, however coverage makers and the alcohol trade have been unable to succeed in settlement.

This yr although, the measure has broad help from among the nation’s largest alcohol sellers to among the state’s best-known smaller craft breweries. Distributors and retailers are additionally on board, leaving marriage ceremony barn house owners as probably the most outstanding opponent.

In one of many largest adjustments, the invoice would create a brand new division within the state Department of Revenue to supervise and implement liquor legal guidelines. It would additionally permit for expanded hours at wineries, allow brew pubs to function stand-alone retail shops and create a brand new statewide bartender license.