The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature passed a bipartisan measure on Tuesday to overhaul the state’s liquor laws and create new regulations for wedding barns, the Associated Press reports.
Senate Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu introduced the proposal in a surprise, last-minute amendment that gutted a bill to set standards for alcohol and tobacco retailers and replaced it with lengthy liquor law overhauls nearly identical to those passed by the state Assembly in June.
The measure, which passed the Senate in a 21–11 vote with bipartisan support and opposition, would create a new division within the state Department of Revenue to oversee and enforce liquor laws. It would also require special event venues, known generally as wedding barns, to either get a permit that would allow them to host events six times a year, or no more than once a month, or obtain a liquor license that would allow them to sell alcohol at as many events as they wish.
The Assembly passed the bill Tuesday evening in a 88–10 vote. The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who can veto it or sign it into law. By introducing the bill on the Senate floor as an amendment, lawmakers circumvented the committee hearing process that allows the public to weigh in on proposed legislation.
Republican Senate President Chris Kapenga ruled that the amendment was improper. But in a rare move, the Senate overturned his ruling in a 19-14 vote. The Senate also rejected multiple amendments to expand the ability of venues without liquor licenses to serve alcohol at private events.
Wedding barn owners have objected to the proposal and say that the added requirements could put them out of business. The bill has received support from Wisconsin wholesalers, retailers, and brewers, the banquet halls that compete with wedding barns, and the Tavern League of Wisconsin, a powerful lobbying group that represents the state’s bars, restaurants, and taverns.
