Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, Wisconsin State Representative for 8th District | www.facebook.com
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, Wisconsin State Representative for 8th District | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "exempting tobacco bars from the public smoking ban".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill exempts tobacco bars from the public indoor smoking ban if they meet specific criteria. To qualify, the establishment must have been created on or after June 4, 2009, and restrict smoking to cigars and pipes only. Additionally, these tobacco bars cannot operate as retail food establishments. The bill builds upon existing law, which already exempts tobacco bars that were in existence as of June 3, 2009, allowing those that meet the new criteria to also avoid restrictions against smoking in indoor locations.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Lindee Rae Brill (Republican-27th District), Representative Calvin T. Callahan (Republican-35th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (Republican-19th District), Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), and Senator Steve L. Nass (Republican-11th District), along 25 other co-sponsors.
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez has co-authored or authored another 33 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Ortiz-Velez graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a BS.
Ortiz-Velez, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2021 to represent the state's 8th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative JoCasta Zamarripa.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| AB211 | 04/23/2025 | Exempting tobacco bars from the public smoking ban |
| AB57 | 02/24/2025 | Requirements concerning assistance in the detention of individuals who are or are alleged to be not lawfully present in the United States |
Alerts Sign-up