Wine could be included in the "doggy bags" restaurant patrons in the state take home if a bill allowing people to keep unfinished bottles of wine from eateries in Wisconsin gets approved by the state Legislature.
Introduced by State Reps. Don Pridemore, R-Hartford; Karl Von Roy, R-Howard; and Bob Ziegelbauer, D-Manitowoc, legislation, known as the "Wine Doggy Bag Act," received a unanimous nod from the Assembly Committee on Small Business Tuesday at the Capitol.
The bill states restaurant patrons who have a receipt proving they bought the wine at a specific establishment would be able to take the bottle of wine home if it is properly corked. Under the provisions of the legislation, one bottle of wine per patron would be allowed to leave the restaurant in such a manner.
"This way they can take [the bottle of wine] home with them and not be under the fear of being arrested if they are stopped [by police] on the way home," Pridemore said, adding the bill would save consumers money if they can buy wine by the bottle at restaurants and take leftovers home.
Von Roy said current laws prohibiting people from taking opened but unfinished bottles of wine with them are restrictive and unnecessary.
"This is one way for Wisconsin to quit acting as a nanny state," Van Roy said in a release. "Let's put a cork in the law that prohibits adults from being treated like adults."
Mothers Against Drunk Driving Wisconsin Executive Director Kari Kinnard said MADD has not yet taken a stance on the proposed legislation.
"We do not see a direct link to reducing alcohol-related fatalities or injuries due to drunk-driving crashes with this piece of legislation," Kinnard said.
Kinnard added that MADD does, however, have concerns with this bill, stating the increased accessibility to intoxicants this bill would grant could increase the risk of drunken-driving accidents in the state. The legislation could also have an impact on existing open-container laws in the state, Kinnard added.
Conversely, Von Roy said this bill could help to curb drunken driving in Wisconsin, as people may not drink as much if they know they can take remaining wine home with them.
Von Roy said he is pleased the bill passed the committee and said he is confident it will be well received in the Legislature, which may begin voting on it as soon as November.
"I think [the bill] will move right along, and it'll make some people happy," Von Roy said. "It's a positive spin for wine lovers and for the restaurant industry."
