Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB1185

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/9/24
• Refer: 4/9/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Allowing towns to exceed their retail liquor license quota by issuing one additional retail license.

Impact

If enacted, AB1185 is expected to have significant implications on local control of liquor licensing. The current system imposes a limit on how many Class B licenses a municipality can issue, typically determined by factors such as population size and prior licenses issued. By granting towns the ability to issue one additional license, the bill aims to provide greater flexibility for local businesses, particularly bars and restaurants, which may be struggling to meet demand for alcohol services in a competitive market.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1185 proposes an amendment to the current regulation surrounding the sale of alcoholic beverages by allowing towns in Wisconsin to exceed their established retail liquor license quota. Specifically, the bill enables each town to issue one additional Class B liquor license beyond what their quota typically allows. This change is aimed at accommodating local business needs and potentially stimulating economic activity in communities throughout the state. The legislation puts forth a new provision under section 125.51 of the statutes that outlines this allowance for additional liquor licenses.

Contention

However, there might be concerns regarding the potential social impact of increasing the number of liquor licenses. Some stakeholders may argue that an expansion of liquor licensing could lead to increased alcohol-related issues within communities. Law enforcement and public health advocates might be particularly wary of the bill’s implications on local safety and health dynamics. As with any legislation that modifies alcohol sales regulations, there are likely to be varied opinions based on differing views of economic benefit versus potential public health risks.