Wisconsin's new alcohol, election laws -- What you need to know

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MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin now has new alcohol and election laws in effect after Gov. Tony Evers signed more than 50 bills this week.

Here's what you need to know about those and other laws that impact our roadways, newborns and food delivery companies.

Alcohol Regulations

Beer and wine lovers could notice some changes the next time they visit a brewery or winery.

That's because a series of changes will be made to the alcohol industry under a new law that will give breweries new freedom to sell their own canned cocktails, seltzer and beers made outside Wisconsin.

Wineries can also stay open past 9 p.m.

During the Republican National Convention, July 15-18, bars can also keep serving patrons until 4 a.m. if they so choose.

The extended hours during the summer will apply to 14 counties: Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Sheboygan, Jefferson, Rock, Dane, Jefferson, Dodge, Columbia, and Fond du Lac.

However, the new law drew opposition from wedding barn owners that have been operating without much regulation for years.

Owners will be required to obtain a liquor license if booze is served to guests or be limited to hosting six events a year. This provision in the bill does not go into effect until 2026.

Elections

Heading into the new year, election officials will have some new rules to follow.

The new laws include requiring clerks to retain video footage of election night proceedings for 22 months if they have a broadcast, changing the deadline for when clerks need to send absentee ballots, and requiring candidates found guilty of election fraud to dissolve their campaign and return leftover funds to donors.

Gov. Evers vetoed three other election related proposals that would have eliminated the Wisconsin Elections Commission's authority to charge fees for obtaining copies of the voter registration list by capping the price to $250.

Evers also rejected bills that would have limited who can claim indefinitely confined status and require the Department of Transportation to identify on ID cards "not valid for voting purposes" for non-citizens.

Reckless Driving

Evers also signed a bipartisan bill that seeks to reduce reckless driving and make our roads safer by expanding access to driver education.

Next year will mark the first time in two decades state-funded driver's education programs will make a return.

They will be offered free to low-income students under a new grant program that offers up to $400 to offset the costs of driver education classes.

Earlier this year, Evers signed two other proposals seeking to crack down on dangerous drivers. One includes impounding a vehicle if an individual was cited for a prior reckless driving offense and has not paid the fine. Another would increase penalties on reckless drivers.

"Baby Box" Law

Building upon the state's "safe haven" program, parents will now be able to surrender newborns anonymously in a temperature-controlled safety box placed outside hospitals, fire, and police stations.

The "baby boxes" would notify authorities by triggering an alarm when a newborn is placed in there.

Food Delivery Apps

Food delivery apps such as Uber Eats and Grub Hub will face new regulations under a new law that will prevent them from adding restaurants and menu items without their permission.

The legislation will also require the apps to share information with the restaurant about orders, times they are placed, and mandate drivers to have some food safety education.

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