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Coalition of Wisconsin’s alcohol industry rallies around reform bill
Broad coalition spanning Wisconsin’s alcohol beverage industry backs three-tier reforms
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MADISON — A broad coalition representing Wisconsin’s alcohol industry voiced strong support for comprehensive three-tier reform legislation at a Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue public hearing today. Senate Bill 332/Assembly Bill 304 is important legislation that updates alcohol regulations and encourages free-market competition in Wisconsin.

This legislation “is a long overdue, comprehensive update to Wisconsin’s alcohol beverage laws” and is intended “to improve alcohol beverage regulation and further develop an already successful industry,” said Mike Wittenwyler, attorney for Wisconsin Wine & Spirit Institute and Wisconsin Beer Distributors Association, and known expert of Wisconsin’s three-tier system who testified in today’s hearing. The three-tier reform “is a comprehensive and compromise proposal, a better approach than the patchwork of proposals introduced each session,” and will “provide clarity and consistency going forward allowing the industry to continue to grow and prosper.”

The three-tier reform package passed the Assembly 90-4 in June with overwhelming bipartisan support. Senate Bill 332 / Assembly Bill 304 has the support of respected associations, companies, and membership spanning Wisconsin’s alcohol beverage industry.


Senate Bill 332 / Assembly Bill 304, modernizes Wisconsin’s three-tier system by providing:

●  Less bureaucratic barriers: streamlines regulations for producers, distributors, and retailers, increases free market competition, and expands choices for consumers.

●  Clairty to three-tier system: the proposed legislation adds consistency across regulations for brewers, brewpubs, wineries and distillers/rectifiers, and clarity to the existing three-tier system.

●  Fairness for consumers: for too long uncertainty surrounding the state’s alcohol laws has created a patchwork of regulation that is not only challenging for the industry, but also could serve consumers better.

●  Certainty for one of Wisconsin’s vital industries: this will ensure this vital industry to the state’s economy can continue to grow to the benefit of the state and its residents.

In the wake of today’s hearing, the legislation awaits the Senate voting on this proposal.