AB 859

Under current law, between October 1 and December 31, 2008, the Department

of Revenue (DOR) was authorized to issue intoxicating liquor wholesalers' permits

to small winery cooperatives (cooperative wholesalers). DOR was limited to issuing

a total of six such permits. Only wineries certified by DOR as small wineries can be

members of a cooperative wholesaler. With respect to alcohol beverage products, a

cooperative wholesaler can sell and distribute only the wine of its members, which

can be sold or distributed only to retailers or other wholesalers.

Under current law, at least once every six months the board of directors of a

cooperative wholesaler must meet in person with DOR and the University of

Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (CFC). Current law specifies various

requirements related to these meetings, including that publicly available reports be

prepared by DOR and the CFC as a result of these meetings.

This bill eliminates this meeting and report requirement.