The Wisconsin Legislature has adjourned its 2021-22 legislative session. The Legislature operates on a two-year cycle, beginning in the January of odd-numbered years. The first six months are primarily dedicated to working on the biennial budget and then the focus shifts to stand- alone legislation. With the Legislature’s adjournment, members now focus on running for reelection, as all 99 members of the state Assembly are up, as well as half of the state Senators.
Every session presents new challenges and new legislators. The 2023 session will have at least 29 new members — the most since 1942. Nearly 25% of the 2023 Legislature will be new faces. That will require a lot of work by our members to provide information on the issues we care about and how they impact the hospitality industry in Wisconsin.
2021-22 Legislative Session Review
PASSED
- Cocktails to Go
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) state tax exemption
- Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) state tax exemption
APPROVED (by the Department of Revenue or DOR)
- Return of beer during the pandemic
KILLED
- Retail craft expansion
- Alcohol delivery
- Elimination of tipped wage
- Expanded enforcement of the DOR
- All-terrain vehicle/snowmobile operating while intoxicated charges for drivers
We’ll start working on several issues before the next Legislature convenes in January. Other issues will likely come up over the next few months, but the following are left over from the previous session, and we will work on these and others in 2023.
2022-23 Issues of Focus
- Nonexclusive wholesaler territories
- Tax credits for advertising
- Exemption of state taxes from credit card fees
- Chapter 125 enforcement of alcohol beverages
- Private event venues