Government Affairs
2022 — It’s Election Season Already
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The longer, warmer days are much needed relief after what seemed like an unusually long and cold winter. Meanwhile, the legislative session has adjourned with the focus now on the 2022 elections. The primary election is set for Aug. 9 and the general election for Nov. 8. Every 10 years,…
Read MoreOPINION: Federalism on full display as Utah navigates drunk-driving legislation
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The laboratories of democracy, a phrase popularized by Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis to describe federalism, are in full swing across the country. One policy experiment some states are considering is lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration level for driving by 40%, from 0.08% to 0.05%. Dumbing down the…
Read MoreBeverage Licensees Urge Congress to Provide COVID-19 Relief to Hospitality Businesses
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow Nearly two years since the onset of the pandemic, many bars, taverns and independent restaurants remain underwater and are struggling to get back on their feet, pay off debt, or otherwise recover from the significant setbacks caused by the pandemic. As Congress considers legislation to fund the government and federal…
Read MoreSales Territories by Beer Wholesalers – SB 959
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow Rep. Knodl and Sen. Stroebel have introduced SB 959 which would eliminate the requirement under current law that a brewer can only give one wholesaler exclusive distribution rights for a brand in a designated sales territory. Under current law, a beer wholesaler must enter into a written agreement with a…
Read MoreTLW Suppots AB 762/SB 834 – Media Advertising Tax Credit
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The Tavern League of Wisconsin supports this legislation authored by Senator Roger Roth and Representative Todd Novak. Assembly Bill 762 and Senate Bill 834 would provide a tax credit for businesses that purchase advertising in local media outlets. The 5-year tax credit directed at small and medium sized businesses would…
Read MoreTLW Opposes SB 57/AB 71 – Alcohol Delivery
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The Tavern League of Wisconsin opposes legislation authored by Senator Duey Stroebel and Representative Gary Tauchen that would allow restaurants and grocery stores to deliver beer, wine, and intoxicating liquor. The reason the hospitality industry is highly regulated is to protect public safety and to minimize underage drinking, public drunkenness,…
Read MoreTLW Supports AB 587/SB 572 – Reducing Swipe Fees
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The Tavern League of Wisconsin supports Assembly Bill 587 and Senate Bill 572, authored by Representative Tyler Vorpagel and Senator Dan Feyen. Assembly Bill 587 and Senate Bill 572 would eliminate the imposition of credit card swipe fees on the tax portion of a sales transaction. Retailers in Wisconsin are…
Read MoreTLW Opposes Craft Retail Outlet Legislation
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The Tavern League of Wisconsin opposes legislation that has been drafted that will allow craft brewers, wineries and distillers to open full-service retail outlets. Under the proposal, these producers would be allowed to open and operate up to three retail outlets per each permit they own, depending on the size…
Read MoreTLW Supports Restaurant Revitalization Grants – AB 717/SB 690
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The Tavern League of Wisconsin supports Assembly Bill 717 and Senate Bill 690, authored by Senator Roger Roth and Representative Robert Wittke. Assembly Bill 717 and Senate Bill 690 create a tax exemption for income received in the form of a grant from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which was enacted…
Read MoreTLW Supports AB 364 – Retailer Purchases of Beer from Class A
2025 Spring Conference & Tradeshow The Tavern League of Wisconsin supports Assembly Bill 364 authored by Representative Dan Knodl. Assembly Bill 364 was introduced to assist retailers who are having a difficult time receiving product from wholesalers. Under the bill, a retailer who purchases 15 cases of beer or less in one month, or 48…
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