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Mar. 5, 2004

Long days, long nights, long calendars define the final weeks of the regular legislative session. We have highlighted floor action in both houses but have not attempted to track committee activities as committees are meeting on short notice to hear and act on bills that have received final action in the other house. Frequently bills that have received final action in one house are substituted for companion bills in the second house in order to achieve final legislative approval without the necessity of an additional public hearing. Differences between the two houses are generally resolved by amendments negotiated by lead authors, avoiding the need for time -consuming conference committees such as those used extensively in Congress. 

By this time next week, the regular session will have concluded and our report will summarize final action on key legislative issues. The Governor and the Administration will have the task of evaluating a long list of legislative enactments to determine which bills to sign and which to veto. On April 24, all remaining bills will be sent to the Governor and he will have six days from that date to determine his action on those proposals. If the Governor fails to act on any proposal in a timely fashion, that bill becomes law in Wisconsin. There is no pocket veto in Wisconsin.

Policy Developments

Governor Bill Action Update
On Thursday, March 4, Governor Doyle announced he had vetoed AB 733, relating to reciprocal agreements for real estate licensees. 

On Monday, March 1, Governor Doyle announced  he had signed two bills into law: AB 283, relating to an income and franchise tax credit for expenses related to operating a dairy farm; and AB 284, relating to the requirement that operators of fish farms provide evidence of fish health. 

On Tuesday, March 2 Governor Doyle announced he had signed AB 345, relating to designating the first weekend in March as Aldo Leopold Weekend.

Legislative Activity This Week
Assembly

The Assembly met on Tuesday and Thursday this week, acting on several bills, including the following:

• SB 223 (in lieu of AB 455), relating to the reduction and recovery of damages and admissibility of evidence in civil actions related to use or nonuse of protective headgear by operators and passengers of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles. Concurred in, 84-12.

• AB 792, relating to high cost mortgage lending. Passed as amended by Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 and Assembly 1 to Sub. 1, 91-5.

• AB 868, relating to the siting and expansion of certain livestock facilities, local zoning ordinances relating to livestock facilities, creating a Livestock Facility Siting Review Board. Passed as amended by Assembly Substitute Amendment 1, 76-20.

• AB 843, relating to the issuance of debt by natural gas and electric public utilities to finance certain environmental activities. Passed as amended by Assembly Substitute Amendment 1, 96-0.

• AB 411, relating to an exemption from requirements for nonmetallic mining reclamation. Passed as amended by Assembly Amendment 1, 61-35.

• AB 516, relating to an exemption from the requirement to obtain an air pollution construction permit for certain equipment at a nonmetallic mineral processing facility. Passed, 63-32.

• SB 272, relating to local government telecommunications utilities and public hearings for ordinances and resolutions authorizing local government cable television, telecommunications, and Internet access facilities. Passed, voice vote.

Senate

The Senate met on Tuesday and Thursday this week, confirmed several appointments, and acted on several bills, including the following:

• AJR 54, relating to urging that protections of women's equality be maintained and encouraging all Americans to participate in the celebration of Women's Equality Day on August 26, 2003, the 83^rd anniversary of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. Adopted and Messaged.

• SB 100, relating to administrative rule making regarding small businesses, data used by administrative agencies in preparing proposed rules, creating an Internet site for proposed rules, and creating a Small Business Regulatory Review Board. Concurred in Assembly Substitute Amendment 1.

• SB 218, relating to the authority of the board of directors of business corporations and corporate committees; corporate shareholder notices and meetings; mergers, conversions, and other business combinations; the transfer of corporate property to certain affiliates; and naming limited partnerships. Passed as amended by Senate Amendment 1.

• AB 423, relating to liability for damages caused by dogs. Passed, voice vote.

• AB 669, relating to making various changes in the worker's compensation law. Passed, voice vote.

• SJR 65, relating to focusing attention on healthy lifestyles in Wisconsin in 2004. Adopted, voice vote.

• SB 113, relating to review of legislative proposals and proposed state agency rules impacting energy policies. Passed as amended by Assembly Substitute Amendment 2.

• SB 340, relating to various changes in the unemployment insurance law. Passed, as amended by adopted Senate Amendment 1, 33-0.

• SB 364, relating to appellate procedure. Re-referred to Senate Organization.

• SB 384, relating to authorizing technical college districts to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of providing services and facilities to businesses. Passed, 17-16.

• SB 435, relating to waiver of a requirement under hemophilia treatment program to apply for other coverage. Passed, voice vote.

• SB 436, relating to motor vehicle emission inspections. Passed, voice vote.

• AB 411, relating to an exemption from requirements for nonmetallic mining reclamation. Concurred in, 21-12.

• AB 437, relating to granting towns limited authority to create tax incremental financing districts. Concurred in, 26-7.

• AB 777, relating to creating an individual income tax subtract modification for certain individuals who donate a human organ. Concurred in, voice vote.

Legislative Calendars for Next Week
Assembly

The Assembly will meet Tuesday, March 9, to take up bills carried over from Thursday’s calendar, as well as additional bills, including:

• AB 254, relating to revisions and additions to condominium law.

• AB 90, relating to primary enforcement of seat belt law.

• AB 480, relating to bonding authority for the stewardship program.

• AB 527, relating to effectiveness of county shoreland zoning ordinances in cities, villages, or towns that annex county.

• AB 859, relating to manufacturing extension center grants.

• AB 890, relating to meetings of the board and members of non-profit corporations.

• AB 907, relating to brownfield revolving loan programs.

• AB 914 , relating to making private insurance available to facilitate environmental cleanups.

• SB 49 , relating to expert opinion evidence.

• SB 261 , relating to creating a qualified new business venture tax credit and a capital gains tax exemption regarding investments in certified venture capital funds and qualified new business ventures; study of new Wisconsin businesses; facilitates development of certain investor networks; excludes from taxable income gains from a start-up business.

Senate

The Senate has set a tentative schedule for Tuesday, March 9. The Senate Organization Committee will meet late Monday afternoon to add other bills to the calendar. So far, items scheduled for consideration, Tuesday, include:

• SB 446, relating to vehicle protection product warranties.

• SB 451, relating to appropriating money to technical college districts for the Wisconsin Advantage Jobs Training Program.

• SB 484, relating to contracts for services under Medical Assistance.

• AB 728, relating to comprehensive planning by local governmental units and fees imposed by political subdivisions.

• AB 843, relating to the issuance of debt by natural gas and electric public utilities to finance certain environmental activities. 

Legislative Audit Bureau Releases Report on State Air Programs
This week, the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released a report entitled “An Evaluation: Air Management Programs, Department of Natural Resources.” The report is an audit of the Department of Natural Resources implementation of state and national air permit regulations which require the state agency to issue air emission permits and collect fees, among other duties. This audit by the LAB follows last week’s notice, from the EPA to the state, that Wisconsin is currently deficient in its implementation of national air permit regulations. 

State May Increase Minimum Wage
On Monday, March 1, Governor Doyle announced that the Minimum Wage Advisory Council had voted 16-2 in favor of increasing the state of Wisconsin’s current $5.15 per hour minimum wage to $6.50 per hour by 2005. The increase would be phased in, and would include a lower minimum wage for wages paid to teenagers. Proponents argue that increasing the minimum wage would allow more low wage workers in the state to be able to afford basic needs, while opponents of the hike argue that increasing the wage could inhibit job creation. See the related news story on Monday’s activities. This agreement means that the state is likely to pass a state law preempting local governments from enacting a minimum wage that is different than state law. AB 633 (the preemption bill) passed the Assembly on November 13, 2003 and is available for scheduling in the Senate.

Governor Announces WHEDA Grant
On Tuesday, March 2, Governor Doyle announced an initiative that would grant $10 million to the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) for the preservation and development of affordable housing for Wisconsin seniors and other low-income residents. The program, dubbed “Saving Our Stock” (or, “SOS”) will engage in rebuilding more Section-8 housing in the state.

CHAA Asks If Children are Active Enough
The Coalition for a Healthy and Active America (CHAA) is continuing its effort to educate parents, children, schools, and communities about the vital roles physical fitness and nutrition education play in reversing the trend of childhood obesity, its negative impact on the health of our youth and the public health risks it poses. This week, CHAA asks Are Your Children Active Enough? For more information on CHAA and its efforts, go to its website at www.chaausa.org.

Wisconsin Politics

Governor Names Appointees to State Council on Workforce Investment
On Tuesday, March 2, Governor Doyle announced several appointments to the State Council on Workforce Investment. The Council will be chaired by Paul Linzmeyer (Green Bay), President of Bay Towel, Inc., and will include other prominent state leaders, such as:

• Barbara Fleisner (Marshfield), current President of Wisconsin Economic Development Council (WEDA), and Executive Director of the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce;

• James Haney (Madison), current President of Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce;

• James Hill (La Crosse), Executive Director of the La Crosse Area Development Corporation; and

• Mark Reihl (Madison), Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters.

Political News

Senate passes anti-stalking bill: Wisconsin State Journal, Mar. 3, 2004.

Helmet bill passes Assembly: La Crosse Tribune, Mar. 3, 2004.

Oshkosh lawmaker seeks non-jail option for certain offenders: Appleton Post-Crescent, Mar. 2, 2004.

Shared services key to controlling taxes (opinion): Green Bay Press-Gazette, Mar. 2, 2004.

State due for makeover: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Mar. 3, 2004.

School to push licensing deals in $2.5 million effort: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 3, 2004. 

Group seeks change in medical malpractice law in Wisconsin: Racine Journal Times, Mar. 3, 2004.

Bills target mental health coverage: Wisconsin State Journal, Mar. 3, 2004.

Seeds of business growth might lie within Wisconsin: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Mar. 3, 2004.

Saving manufacturing jobs (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 3, 2004.

Leaders sound off on minimum wage proposal: La Crosse Tribune, Mar. 3, 2004.

Raise state minimum wage (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 3, 2004.

Economy driving up gas prices: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 2, 2004.

PSC says power plants meet standards: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 2, 2004.

Doyle and advisory panel favor hike in minimum wage: Wisconsin State Journal, Mar. 2, 2004.

Minimum-wage plan would pay teens less: Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Mar. 2, 2004.

Proposed bill would deny companions overtime pay: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 1, 2004.

An overdue health reform (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 1, 2004.

Drug costs force many to cut dosages: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 1, 2004.

State AG’s OWI arrest may stall bill: Appleton Post-Crescent, Feb. 29, 2004.

Jury awards farm family $850,000 for damage from stray voltage: Appleton Post-Crescent, Feb. 29, 2004.

State board pares list of regulated substances: Green Bay Press-Gazette, Feb. 29, 2004.

Audit finds failures in DNR's air program: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 28, 2004.

With deadline looming, lobbyists gear up: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 29, 2004.

Report fuels hopes of recovery: Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 28, 2004.

Behind scenes, lawmakers do some good: Wisconsin State Journal, Feb. 28, 2004.

Superior Days: Doyle says jobs are a priority: Ashland Daily Press, Feb. 26, 2004.

Assembly OKs bill to shield restaurants from lawsuits: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 26, 2004.

Upcoming Fundraisers

Monday, March 8, 2004:

• St. Sen. Ted Kanavas, (R-Brookfield), 5:30 p.m., Elm Grove, WI

• Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee, 5:00 p.m., Milwaukee, WI 

Thursday, March 11, 2004:

• Corey Hoze, Candidate for Congress (4th District), 6:00 p.m., Milwaukee, WI 

Saturday, March 13, 2004:

• Barron County Republican Party 2004 Election Campaign, Noon, Rice Lake, WI

• The Republican Party of Dane County, 6:00 p.m., Madison, WI

• Republican Party of Wisconsin Victory Event, 5:00 p.m., Madison, WI 

Monday, March 15, 2004:

• St. Sen. Roger Breske, (D-Eland), 6:00 p.m., Birnamwood, WI

• St. Rep. Terri McCormick, (R-Appleton), 5:00 p.m., Neenah, WI