Applications for Alcohol Beverage Licenses and Permits

2017 Wisconsin Act 289 - Applications for Alcohol Beverage Licenses and Permits and for Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer Licenses

(2017 Wisconsin Act 289, amend sec. 125.04(3)(e)1. and create secs. 125.04(3)(bm) and (j), (6)(g), 134.65(1r) and (5m), effective July 1, 2018)

Current law requires the department to prepare application forms for alcohol beverage licenses and permits and requires the use of these forms when an application is made to the department or municipalities. Current law also requires that applications for alcohol beverage licenses be sworn to by the license applicant.

The Act provides that alcohol beverage license and permit applications may not require:

  • The signature of more than one person on behalf of the license or permit applicant
  • The application be sworn to
  • An applicant's signature be notarized

The Act creates a forfeiture penalty of not more than $1,000 for any person who knowingly provides materially false information in an application for an alcohol beverage license or permit. The Act also provides that application forms for cigarette and tobacco products retail licenses (prepared by municipalities or any state agency) may not require an applicant's signature to be notarized, and creates a forfeiture penalty of not more than $1,000 for a person who knowingly provides materially false information in an application for a cigarette and tobacco products retailer license.

August 8, 2018