Attention Wisconsin Brewers!!!!

[Zamial]

It's that time again!

 

[Zamial]

More bump.

 

[Zamial]

yep, it's bump time again!

 

[robbiex0r]

Emailed Jill Billings (Assembly) and Jennifer Shilling (Senate) from La Crosse.

 

[Zamial]

Weekend bump!

 

[TrainSafe]

I've been out all week, but I will get my letters sent today.

 

[Zamial]

I have a bad case of the bumps!!! Thread bumps that is!

 

[Zamial]

AM Bump.

 

[SmokingDog]

Done!

 

[zeus53219]

Reply from Jeff Stone, still waiting on Senator Lazich.
January 18, 2012

Dear Paul,

Thank you for your email in support of legislation that would update current law regulating
home brewing of wine and fermented malt beverages.

The proposal, LRB 3101, would also create conformity with federal law and laws in other states.
It is being circulated for legislative cosponsor and is expected to be formally introduced in the
near future. Though I am not a cosponsor, I will be sure to review this proposal and take your
views into consideration if and when it comes up for debate before the Assembly in the coming
weeks.

Again, thank you for writing. Please feel free to contact me if I may be of further assistance.

Sincerely,


Jeff Stone
State Representative
82nd Assembly District

 

[mthompson]

This came in yesterday from Rep. Leibham:


Miles-

Thank you for contacting me recently to share your thoughts regarding legislation affecting the regulation of home brewers in Wisconsin. As your State Senator, I appreciate your input and grassroots involvement in the legislative process.

The proposal has not yet been introduced as a formal bill. Once this occurs, I will work to educate myself on the specific aspects relating to home brewing in Wisconsin. Your input and knowledge will be helpful as I seek to develop a position and prepare to cast a vote that is in the best interests of the residents of the 9th Senate District.

Once this proposal is formally introduced, I encourage you to access the Wisconsin Legislature’s electronic bill notification service to track this bill in the Legislature. This free service provides individuals with immediate electronic updates on specific legislative proposals. You can access this service and track the progress of a bill by clicking on the following link: Wisconsin Legislative Notification Service Home.

Thank you again for sharing your input. Please contact me again if I can provide additional information or answer any of your questions. For more information on my overall legislative efforts, I encourage you to log-on to my on-line office at: Joe Leibham, Wisconsin State Senator, District 9.

It is an honor to work for and represent the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!

Sincerely,

Joe Leibham
State Senator
9th District

 

[SmokingDog]

This came in yesterday from Rep. Leibham:


Miles-

Thank you for contacting me recently to share your thoughts regarding legislation affecting the regulation of home brewers in Wisconsin. As your State Senator, I appreciate your input and grassroots involvement in the legislative process.

The proposal has not yet been introduced as a formal bill. Once this occurs, I will work to educate myself on the specific aspects relating to home brewing in Wisconsin. Your input and knowledge will be helpful as I seek to develop a position and prepare to cast a vote that is in the best interests of the residents of the 9th Senate District.

Once this proposal is formally introduced, I encourage you to access the Wisconsin Legislature’s electronic bill notification service to track this bill in the Legislature. This free service provides individuals with immediate electronic updates on specific legislative proposals. You can access this service and track the progress of a bill by clicking on the following link: Wisconsin Legislative Notification Service Home.

Thank you again for sharing your input. Please contact me again if I can provide additional information or answer any of your questions. For more information on my overall legislative efforts, I encourage you to log-on to my on-line office at: Joe Leibham, Wisconsin State Senator, District 9.

It is an honor to work for and represent the residents of the 9th District in the State Senate!

Sincerely,

Joe Leibham
State Senator
9th District

I received that same.

 

[matt_the_weird]

Proposal: SB-395 (11-3101)
Bill History: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2011/data/SB395hst.html
Relating to: homemade wine and fermented malt beverages.
Senate Bill 395 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Committee on Energy, Biotechnology, and Consumer Protection in the Senate. Date/time: January 31, 2012 at 10:00 AM. Location: 330 Southwest.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Update.

http://maildogmanager.com/page.html?client=aobhtml::cid=3500::drct=1

Now bill 395, the homebrewing legislation is going to a senate committee on January 31, 2012. I am considering attending the hearing...

Please send another note to reps you haven't heard from and thank those who have shown support. My Rep. (Pridemore) has signed on as a cosponsor, but I have not gotten anything out of my senator. I just sent both emails.

Anyone else thinking of going to the hearing?

 

[Zamial]

Thanks for the update!

I may show up with some people, I will post back to confirm in a few days.

 

[TrainSafe]

Thanks for the update on the Senate bill. Does anybody know if there is a similar bill in the other house?

 

[Jazman]

Thanks for the update on the Senate bill. Does anybody know if there is a similar bill in the other house?

The Senate bill is co-sponsored by a number of Assemblypersons. I expect the Assembly will take up the Senate bill as is when/if it passes. It's not a complicated issue so I don't expect separate bills.

I never heard a direct response from my communication from either my rep or senator. However, I was encouraged that my Senator did co-sponsor the bill so maybe it did do some good.

There a very interesting tidbit as well. One of the links regarding all bills goes to the Government Accountability Board where they report the lobbying efforts on bills. The Tavern League of Wisconsin has lobbied a position AGAINST this bill. On the surface, you might say that makes sense. Except, when you think about it, home brewers have done more to advance the beer boom (and specifically the craft beer boom) that makes the bars alot of money. So, I'm slightly pissed so see that. Quite short sighted on their part. It would be one thing to simply see them ignore it, but it's quite another to see them lobby against it.

http://ethics.state.wi.us/scripts/currentSession/LegProps.asp?key=REGSB395

So, that brings it back to my Assemblyman who has been pretty silent on this (no response, etc). My rep is Kuglitch who owns Kuglitch's bars and other establishments. I supported him as the best conservative in the primaries and also in the election. You can bet I will be watching very closely how he votes when this finally (hopefully) comes up for a vote.

Jaz

 

[Nickeldeposit]

Bump from Iowa, let’s go Wisconsin!

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

That is an interesting one. I almost feel like he should remove his vote in this case for having a shelf interest in the matter.

 

[mthompson]

The Tavern League of Wisconsin has lobbied a position AGAINST this bill.

Makes sense though if you follow the bread crumbs.....

• The origination the new changes was brought on by Miller/Coors pushing to change the distribution laws
• Some of the new law (or at least the interpretation about homebrew laws, without going into the three-tier crap) makes no sense, so the new bill addresses that homebrew issue
• Now, the Tavern League has to oppose it because it was part of the bill that was pushed by Miller/Coors...whom, I would assume, has a big influence on what the Tavern League does because of the majority of beers sold at the bars in WI.

Corruption and greed is everywhere in politics, you barely have to look anymore....and us meager homebrewers get the shaft.




***I consider myself a conservative with a rather libertarian slant. Being "greedy" in the sense the Occupy movement defines it should be rewarded; most "rich" people in this country make there money through hard work and acute financial decisions. However, the people who use political policy and tactics to get money (mostly from taxpayers or by twisting arms of those representing taxpayers) is another issue...that means Miller/Coors, Bud, Big labor Unions, Teacher Unions, Green Tech companies, Mining and Oil companies, Environmentalists etc. They are all equally guilty, and will be the fall of our country some day.


...off my box now.

 

[motobrewer]

pfffttttbaaaaaaahahhahhaahahha! are you f-ing serious???

The Tavern League of Wisconsin signed up in opposition to the bill because of consumer health and safety concerns, executive director Pete Madland said. He noted 17 deaths recently in India after the victims reportedly drank tainted moonshine. He noted homebrewers aren't subject to the same health and safety inspection requirements as commercial brewers.

"If we have everybody starting to make bathtub gin, it can become a dangerous situation," he said.

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/lo...94f-11e1-96d5-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1l3GnoocL

 

[mthompson]

pfffttttbaaaaaaahahhahhaahahha! are you f-ing serious???



http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/lo...94f-11e1-96d5-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1l3GnoocL

I tried to find an email or phone number for that guy, but came up empty. I don't understand how people can get away with saying things that are so clearly wrong, and also have nothing to do with the matter at hand. The first part about "people starting to make"....wrong, this has nothing to do with beginning to allow people to brew beer. Second, "bathtub gin" is laughable, except that he is serious when he says this!

I wish I didn't have to work today, so I could go to that public hearing and put this guy and everyone like him to shame. I would stand up and state that the "public safety" concern has no basis at all. If this were the case, then transporting home cooked food across town to the park for a picnic should definitely be illegal because more people get sick from spoiled foods than from homemade beer, hands down.

I hope some of you guys are gonna make it there and simply point out the idiocy of this argument!

 

[pohldogg]

By that logic I shouldn't be allowed to cook at home either because the health dept doesn't regulate my kitchen. I can see the restaurant lobbyists now

 

[motobrewer]

I don't understand how people can get away with saying things that are so clearly wrong, and also have nothing to do with the matter at hand.

because this here'smerica

 

[JJL]

"The Tavern League of Wisconsin signed up in opposition to the bill because of consumer health and safety concerns, executive director Pete Madland said. He noted 17 deaths recently in India after the victims reportedly drank tainted moonshine. He noted homebrewers aren't subject to the same health and safety inspection requirements as commercial brewers.

"If we have everybody starting to make bathtub gin, it can become a dangerous situation," he said."


I read this crap in the paper yesterday while I was at work. I about called "Bullsh!t" out loud. I get why the Tavern League thinks they need to be involved in this, but this is one where they would be better off just leaving it alone. There is no up side for them by getting involved because whether the law gets passed or not, homebrewers' drinking habits aren't going to change from what they are now. All they are doing is pissing off potential high dollar customers. I'm waiting for the WBDA to come out against the bill as well. Long live the 3 tier system.

 

[SenorPepe]

Pete Madland, you, sir, are a complete ass hat. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he's just being highly disingenuous and is not so stupid as to conflate the risks of illegal distillation with transporting homebrew.

 

[mthompson]

because this here'smerica

Well, they need to be called out!

"Ummm, excuse me sir, but you clearly have no idea what this legislation seeks to accomplish or what homebrewing is. This bill does not in any way discuss production of distilled spirits, such as "bathtub gin", nor does it provide a legal right to produce or transport distilled spirits; both of which are illegal under Federal Statute 26 U.S.C. 5601. This bill would allow citizens to legally and freely transport our legally produced (under Federal Statute 26 U.S.C. 5053 and Wisconsin statute Chapter 125, Subchapter 1, § 125.06 (3)) fermented beverages at our discretion."


....I could go on and on....

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Did anyone go tot he hearing? I wasn't able to make it out of the office today...

 

[motobrewer]

Well, they need to be called out!

"Ummm, excuse me sir, but you clearly have no idea what this legislation seeks to accomplish or what homebrewing is. This bill does not in any way discuss production of distilled spirits, such as "bathtub gin", nor does it provide a legal right to produce or transport distilled spirits; both of which are illegal under Federal Statute 26 U.S.C. 5601. This bill would allow citizens to legally and freely transport our legally produced (under Federal Statute 26 U.S.C. 5053 and Wisconsin statute Chapter 125, Subchapter 1, § 125.06 (3)) fermented beverages at our discretion."


....I could go on and on....

call him out, then.

 

[Zamial]

I did not attend the meeting but am posting an edited version of an e-mail I received. It was edited so that it would be easy to follow and that only the factual information is conveyed.

Sen. Ellis outlined thoughts about timing prior to the hearing. The hearing room was pretty much filled.

The hearing began with Sen. Ellis giving a brief statement and then introduced people to the committee. They gave the opening statement, a statement about the law, and a statement about homebrew clubs. The AHA statement was not read but was turned in for their consideration. A few other people gave brief statements in support of the legislation. There was no opposition.

Note: The Dept of Revenue did ask for one clarification. They wanted to make sure that the law was not ambiguous about serving homebrew at an event where admission is charged. We stated that we would have no objection to an amendment that clarified this.

All of the committee members seemed to be supportive of the legislation. They were impressed by the constant theme of sharing our beer and that the majority of pro brewers started off as homebrewers and were even able to connect the creativity in pro brewing stems from that homebrewing background.

The whole hearing lasted about 1 hour. After, Chairman Cowles set an Executive Session for next week where the bill will be voted out of committee. Suspected vote will be 5-0 in favor. After the bill leaves Energy, Biotech, and Consumer Protection Committee it goes to the Senate Organization Committee, which Sen. Ellis is a member of. The Senate Organization Committee is responsible for referring bills to the floor of the Senate for debate and passage by the Senate as a whole. Sen. Ellis expects that we will see a vote by the full Senate on February 14th. Passage is expected.

On February 15th, the bill is sent to the Assembly for consideration. Here is where we have to get to work again. This is liable to be a bot harder than the Senate. Right now we need to push for a procedural motion. What we want is for the bill to be referred to the Assembly Rules Committee; we do not want it referred to any other standing committee.

Why the rules committee? Because the Rules Committee is the Assembly counter part the to Senate Organization Committee. It is the committee that refers bills to the floor of the Assembly for debate and passage. If it gets sent to another committee that means we have to get another public hearing before it goes to the Rules Committee. By referring it directly to the Rules Committee we bypass another hearing and stand a much better chance of getting immediate floor action. This is important because we have a time crunch on our hands.

After the Senate vote, the only floor time available in the Assembly is the week of Feb 20th (with the 20th being a holiday), the week of March 5th and the week of March 12th. After that the legislature adjourns.

So, what does this mean? It means that we need to get EVERYONE to contact their representatives in the Assembly to ask the leadership to refer S. 395 to the Assembly Rules Committee. After that has been done they need to ask Rep. Suder, the Chair of the Rules Committee, and Rep. Fitzgerald, the Speaker of the Assembly, for a floor vote ASAP. If they have a member on the Rules Committee or if Rep. Suder or Rep Fitzgerald then all the better. They should be contacting their offices directly and be getting all of their friends and neighbors to do so also.

I'll be blunt, Reps. Suder and Fitzgerald hold the power here. They are the ones that we need to get pressured to let the bill go to the floor. Your representatives will understand this and why we are asking for the bill to go to the Rule Committee. Their outspoken support is our best tool. We also need this to be a bi-partisan effort. Something that has bi-partisan support and is non-controversial will stand a much better chance of quick passage.

In the meantime, at Sen. Ellis' suggestion, Meetings are trying to be scheduled with Reps. Suder and Fitzgerald to lobby for the bill directly. We have been getting a lot of press lately, so that should help matters a lot.

Again, the personal contact will influence the final outcome of this bill. Find representatives in the Assembly is at this link.

http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx