MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The laws governing Wisconsin's multibillion-dollar liquor industry would be streamlined and updated under a sweeping measure passed by the state Assembly on Wednesday that's supported by groups from the smallest craft brewers to the largest national brewers, bar owners and alcohol distributors.
The massive overhaul to the laws affecting the production, distribution and sale of alcohol passed with broad bipartisan support. The measure now heads to the Senate for final approval. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who was involved with discussions of the measure, is expected to sign it into law.
The proposal would create a new division within the state Department of Revenue, which would be in charge of overseeing and enforcing the state's alcohol laws. The absence of such a unit now has led to inconsistent enforcement of the law — and questions over how they affect new businesses that weren't envisioned when the laws were enacted, supporters of the bill said.
Those who worked on the measure with Republican legislative leaders say now is the time to update laws in a state that saw the birth of beer-giant Miller in Milwaukee and in recent years has seen an explosion of craft brewers, like New Glarus Brewing Co. which makes Spotted Cow and other beers available for sale only in Wisconsin.
“Alcohol has a rich history in the state of Wisconsin but it does need to be regulated,” said the measure’s Republican cosponsor, Rep. Rob Swearingen. “It’s regulated because we’re not selling chocolate milk. We’re not selling Jolly Good Soda.”
He said the measure offers good compromises with all the key members of the alcohol industry.
“I can tell you that all of them love some of it and all of them hate some of it,” Swearingen said ahead of the vote. “But at the end of the day, this is the package that they themselves, the stakeholders, put together.”
Democrats also praised the measure, which passed on a bipartisan 90-4 vote.
“It’s a good bill,” said Democratic Rep. Christine Sinicki. “It’s a compromise bill.”
The bill affects every level of the state’s alcohol industry governing the licensing, producing, selling and distribution of beer, wine and liquor. The so-called three-tier system, created in the 1930s, has been eyed for changes for years, but policymakers and the alcohol industry have been unable to reach agreement.
The three-tiered system was designed to prevent monopolies, so the same company could not produce and sell alcohol at the wholesale and retail levels. But for years the system has been criticized for not keeping up with changes in the industry, including the explosion of small craft breweries and the rising popularity of wedding barns.