summary
Introduced
04/23/2025
04/23/2025
In Committee
04/23/2025
04/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill exempts tobacco bars from the general prohibition under current law against smoking in indoor locations if the tobacco bar satisfies all of the following: 1) the tobacco bar came into existence on or after June 4, 2009; 2) only the smoking of cigars and pipes is allowed in the tobacco bar; and 3) the tobacco bar is not a retail food establishment. Current law defines a Xtobacco barY as a tavern that generates 15 percent or more of its annual gross income from the sale on the tavern premises, other than from a vending machine, of cigars and pipe tobacco. Also, under current law, tobacco bars that existed on June 3, 2009, are exempt from the general prohibition against smoking in indoor locations.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing Wisconsin law to create a specific exemption to the public smoking ban for certain tobacco bars. Under this proposed legislation, a tobacco bar can be exempt from indoor smoking prohibitions if it meets three specific criteria: first, the tobacco bar must have been established on or after June 4, 2009; second, only cigar and pipe smoking is permitted within the establishment; and third, the tobacco bar cannot be a retail food establishment as defined by state regulations. This exemption is different from the current law, which already allows smoking in tobacco bars that existed prior to June 3, 2009. The bill aims to provide a narrow pathway for newer tobacco bars to allow smoking, while maintaining restrictions on other types of indoor smoking venues. By creating this specific exemption, the legislation recognizes the unique nature of tobacco bars while still attempting to balance public health concerns with the interests of specialized smoking establishments.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (36)
David Armstrong (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Lindee Brill (R)*,
Calvin Callahan (R)*,
Alex Dallman (R)*,
Robert Donovan (R)*,
Joy Goeben (R)*,
Chanz Green (R)*,
Rick Gundrum (R)*,
Nate Gustafson (R)*,
Brent Jacobson (R)*,
Karen Kirsch (D)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Dan Knodl (R)*,
Scott Krug (R)*,
Paul Melotik (R)*,
Vincent Miresse (D)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Adam Neylon (R)*,
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D)*,
William Penterman (R)*,
Jim Piwowarczyk (R)*,
Treig Pronschinske (R)*,
Jessie Rodriguez (R)*,
Christine Sinicki (D)*,
Paul Tittl (R)*,
Duke Tucker (R)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Robert Wittke (R)*,
Shannon Zimmerman (R)*,
Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R),
Dan Feyen (R),
Steve Nass (R),
Patrick Testin (R),
Cory Tomczyk (R),
Last Action
Read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs (on 04/23/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab211 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB211.pdf |
Loading...