As the 2019-20 session is approaching, the legislature’s 2018 interim study committees have begun winding down. At least two committees have completed their work and recommendations, and several others are holding their final meetings in the coming weeks. Below is an update on committees of note.
Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement
The committee met on Nov. 28 to discuss several draft bills. The committee approved LRB 0716/2, with a few amendments, relating to requiring reports from common carriers shipping alcohol beverages and LRB 0718/1, relating to enforcement of alcohol beverage laws against out-of-state shippers. The committee declined to address the issue of alcohol licensing for “wedding barns” after Attorney General Brad Schimel released an informal opinion on the issue.
The Nov. 28 meeting could be the last for the alcohol enforcement committee, though the chairman said they may meet again after the gubernatorial transition.
Study Committee on Bail and Conditions of Pretrial Release
The committee last met on Nov. 13 to discuss several bill drafts related to pretrial release, bail jumping charges, and risk assessments. The committee plans to meet again on Dec. 11 and in January to work through new drafts and finalize their recommendations.
Latest bill drafts:
LRB 0850/1, relating to release of a person accused of a crime prior to conviction
LRB 0852/P2, relating to pretrial detention
LRB 0864/P2, relating to bail jumping
LRB 0866/P2, relating to bail jumping
LRB 0923/P2, relating to factors to consider when setting conditions for pretrial release
Study Committee on Direct Primary Care
The committee met for the final time on Sept. 18 to make their final recommendations from their work this summer. The committee concluded without recommending any legislation but agreed that direct primary care (DPC) is a positive part of the health care system and that the Group Insurance Board (GIB) should explore DPC for state employees. After the conclusion of the study committee proceedings, Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin) announced they will reintroduce their bill (2017 AB 798) on the first day of the 2019-20 legislative session.
Study Committee on Property Tax Assessment Practices
The committee last met in October to discuss several bills. At their meeting on Dec. 11, the committee will consider:
LRB 0394/1, relating to submission of information for commercial property tax assessments
LRB 0484/1, relating to actions for excessive property tax assessments
LRB 0485/1, relating to cost-sharing assistance for property tax assessments
Study Committee on Investment and Use of School Trust Funds
The committee last met on Nov. 14 to hear from more presenters and discuss a draft bill. At their meeting on Dec. 6, the committee will consider:
LRB 0438/1, relating to promissory notes of certain public bodies
LRB 0818/1, relating to the assets of and distributions from the school fund and the assets of and distributions from the university fund
LRB 0847/1, relating to applications for school trust funds
LRB 0848/2, relating to the authority of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands to delegate authority to invest trust fund moneys and making an appropriation
LRB 0878/1, relating to prohibited state trust fund loans
LRB 0972/1, relating to management of school trust funds and making an appropriation
Study Committee on Use of Police Body Cameras
The committee met for the last time on Nov. 13 to review the latest draft bill. Following that meeting and overall agreement on a handful of minor changes, the committee voted by paper ballot to approve the legislation. Only one member of the committee, Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), voted against the bill.
The bill contains several elements from the legislation on the topic that was introduced last session. It sets policy parameters for a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras, generally requires body camera data to be retained for a minimum of 120 days (with certain exceptions) and provides that body camera data is an open public record, with some key exceptions to protect privacy.