The issuance by the Department of Revenue of retail alcohol beverage permits for motor vehicle racetrack grounds and authorizing caterers to make retail sales of alcohol beverages on racetrack grounds. (FE)

This bill authorizes DOR to issue retail Class “B” and “Class B” permits for racetrack grounds. The bill defines “racetrack grounds" as property consisting of at least 300 acres containing a motor vehicle racetrack at least four miles in length capable of hosting professional racing events, and includes any building or other structure on this property associated with the racetrack or with services provided in connection with events held at the racetrack. Under the bill, DOR may issue Class “B" and “Class B” permits, for locations within racetrack grounds, to the owner or operator of the racetrack grounds or to any person designated by the owner or operator of the racetrack grounds to operate premises located within the racetrack grounds. Class “B” and “Class B” permits issued by DOR for racetrack grounds authorize the retail sale of beer and intoxicating liquor at the location within the racetrack grounds specified in the permit, for possession and consumption anywhere within the racetrack grounds. Class “B” and “Class B” permits do not authorize the sale of beer and intoxicating liquor for consumption away from the racetrack grounds and do not authorize the sale of beer and intoxicating liquor at any designated camping area on racetrack grounds while the area is in use for camping. The bill contains an exception allowing underage persons to be present on those locations at racetrack grounds for which Class “B” or “Class B” permits are issued.

Current law generally requires a retail licensee to make retail sales of alcohol beverages only in a face-to-face transaction on the retail licensed premises, although the retail licensee may thereafter deliver and serve the alcohol beverages at another location. An exception allows a caterer to make retail sales off its licensed premises during a special event held at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay or at the Heritage Hill State Park, if no retail license has been issued for this museum or park. A “caterer” is defined as a person who holds a restaurant license and who is in the business of preparing food and transporting it for consumption at gatherings, meetings, or events if the sale of food at each gathering, meeting, or event accounts for greater than 50 percent of the gross receipts of all of the food and beverages served at the gathering, meeting, or event.

This bill allows a caterer to make retail sales of alcohol beverages off its licensed premises on racetrack grounds, except at a designated camping area while the area is in use for camping and except on premises for which DOR has issued a retail permit for the racetrack grounds.