Court of Appeals Decision: Veritas Steel, LLC v. Lunda Construction Co. (Successor Liability)

In Veritas Steel, LLC v. Lunda Construction Co. (2017AP822), the Court of Appeals District IV maintained a narrow application of the “de facto merger” and “mere continuation” exceptions to Wisconsin’s general rule against successor liability. Construction contractor Lunda had secured a $16 million judgment against steel fabricator PDM Bridge, LLC. PDM also owed other lenders […]

Continue Reading ›

Court of Appeals Decision: Engelking v. Enbridge (Pipeline Right of Way Grant)

The Court of Appeals District III held in Engelking v. Enbridge (2017AP2450) that property owners’ future damages claims against Enbridge for pipelines located on their property were barred by claim preclusion. The appeals court also upheld summary judgment in favor of Enbridge, allowing it to continue transporting natural gas liquids (NGLs) via the pipelines. Property […]

Continue Reading ›

Legislature Names Judiciary & Courts Committee Chairpersons

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) have announced 2019-20 committee leaders for their respective chambers, including those committees that will likely be tasked with legal reform bills. In the Senate, Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) was renamed chairman of the Committee on Judiciary & Public Safety. In addition, Sen. Dave […]

Continue Reading ›

Opioid Task Force Releases Final Report

Gov. Scott Walker’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse has released its final report. The report details the Commission on Substance Abuse Treatment Delivery’s analysis of how the hub-and-spoke model of treatment delivery might work in Wisconsin. The report analyzed the hub-and-spoke model in other states (California, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington) and laid out the […]

Continue Reading ›

HCG’s Guide to Preparing for the 2019-20 Session

The inauguration of the 2019-20 legislative session is just a few weeks away, and the Hamilton Consulting Group team is busy preparing. In the list below, we have gathered our favorite and most helpful tools we use throughout the session. Bookmark the tools on the list below for a successful start to 2019! Subscribe to […]

Continue Reading ›

UPDATED: Evers Announces First Cabinet Picks

Governor-elect Tony Evers has announced the first members of his cabinet as he prepares to take office in January. On Dec. 21, Evers announced several new appointees to his cabinet. Evers announced Rebecca Cameron Valcq as Chair of the Public Service Commission. Valcq is currently a partner at Quarles & Brady and previously worked as […]

Continue Reading ›

2019-20 Senate, Assembly Committee Chairs Named

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) have announced 2019-20 committee leaders for their respective chambers. The members of the Joint Finance Committee have also been finalized. In the Senate, changes to committees include: A new committee on Agriculture, Revenue & Financial Institutions; chaired by Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green). […]

Continue Reading ›

Some Study Committees to Continue Into 2019

While many of the 2018 interim study committees held their last meetings this month, a few are planning to meet at least once more in January 2019. The committees on Direct Primary Care, Investment and Use of School Trust Funds, and Use of Police Body Cameras have all wrapped up their work and provided recommendations […]

Continue Reading ›

Federal District Court Strikes Down ACA Mandate

A federal district court in Texas has ruled that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate is unconstitutional. The court further found that, because the individual mandate is “essential” to the ACA, the remaining provisions of the law are also invalid. Congress zeroed out the tax penalty appropriation, yet left in place the ACA’s individual […]

Continue Reading ›

HCG Guide to the Wisconsin Administrative Rules Process

Wisconsin has been a national leader in reforming its administration rules process, creating a stable and predictable regulatory environment for Wisconsin businesses. Changes since 2011 have refined how agencies can enforce requirements and have given the governor and legislature more oversight in the rule-making process. The extraordinary session legislation recently signed by Gov. Scott Walker […]

Continue Reading ›