77.98 Imposition.

(1) A local exposition district under subch. II of ch. 229 may impose a tax on the retail sale, except sales for resale, within the district's jurisdiction under s. 229.43 of all of the following:

(a) Alcoholic beverages, as defined in s. 77.51 (1b), if the alcoholic beverages are for consumption on the seller's premises.

(b) Candy, as defined in s. 77.51 (1fm).

(c) Prepared food, as defined in s. 77.51 (10m).

(d) Soft drinks, as defined in s. 77.51 (17w).

(2) The items described under sub. (1) (a) to (d) are not subject to tax if they qualify for an exemption from the sales tax under s. 77.54 (1), (4), (7) (a), (7m), (9), (9a), (20n) (b) or (c), or (20r).

(3) For purposes of sub. (1) (a), “premises" shall be broadly construed and shall include the lobby, aisles, and auditorium of a theater or the seating, aisles, and parking area of an arena, a rink, or a stadium, or the parking area of a drive-in or an outdoor theater. The premises of a caterer with respect to catered meals or beverages shall be the place where served.

(4)

(a) Except as provided in par. (b), the tax imposed under this section shall not be imposed on the sale of alcoholic beverages, candy, prepared food, or soft drinks sold by a person primarily engaged, as determined by the department, in the retail trade as a food and beverage store, as classified under sector 44-45, subsector 445, of the North American Industry Classification System, 2017 edition, published by the U.S. office of management and budget, beginning on the first day of the calendar quarter that is at least 120 days after the date on which the bonds issued by the district under subch. II of ch. 229 during the first 60 months after April 26, 1994, and any debt issued to fund or refund those bonds, are retired. The district shall notify the department of revenue, in the manner prescribed by the department, when such bonds and debt are retired.

(b) Notwithstanding par. (a), the district board may, by a majority vote of its members, reimpose the tax under this section on a person engaged in a retail trade, as described under par. (a).

History: 1993 a. 263; 2009 a. 2, 330; 2015 a. 60; 2017 a. 17.