Today Governor Tony Evers signed Emergency Order #33 ordering the suspension of Administrative Rules overseen by the Department of Revenue. The rules were suspended to allow for social distancing during business transactions.
On March 24, 2020, Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Andrea Palm ordered that all essential businesses and operations shall meet social distancing requirements between all individuals on their premises to the best extent possible.
Administrative Rules Wis. Admin. Section TAX 7.01(5)(f), 8.21(2)(g), and 9.47(1)(e) which require signatures for the receipt of fermented malt beverages, intoxicating liquor, and cigarettes, respectively, were suspended for the duration of the health emergency.
This suspension allows for distributors to conduct daily business, while still maintaining social distancing and other recommended public health guidelines. Current administrative rules require retailers to sign for deliveries of alcohol beverages, cigarettes and tobacco products. It is difficult to obtain signatures and maintain social distancing. Allowing flexibility for other types of delivery acknowledgements, like emails, are a better way to engage in business without putting critical employees at risk.
Additionally, Administrative Rules Wis. Admin. §§ TAX 61.08(11)(c), 61.04(1)(d) also temporarily suspends minimum sales requirements for lottery retailers to allow them to focus on the safety of customers and staff. The suspension waives the requirement that retailers must sell $1,200 worth of lottery products quarterly in order to remain a licensed Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
This Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect for the duration of the public health emergency as declared in Executive Order #72.
For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin www.wisconsin.gov/covid19 .
