The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this month a proposed rule to revise the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The revised rule is intended to increase predictability and stability in water pollution enforcement. The proposed rule would narrow the definition of primary WOTUS to include only […]
Gov. Walker Signs Extraordinary Session Legislation
Date Tue, Dec. 18, 2018 - 10:00am By Hamilton
Last week, Gov. Scott Walker signed into law the extraordinary session legislation passed by the legislature earlier this month: 2017 Act 368 (SB 883) makes changes related to oversight of Department of Transportation funding and to pass-through entities and online sales tax collection under the Department of Revenue. 2017 Act 369 (SB 884) makes changes […]
JFC Members Finalized
Date Fri, Dec. 14, 2018 - 11:06am By Hamilton
The 2019-20 session is beginning soon, and the first several months of the session will focus on developing the 2019-21 state budget. Key to the budget process is the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC), which modifies and takes the first votes on the budget bill before it goes to the full legislature. Below is the […]
2018-19 ATRA Judicial Hellholes Report Highlights Wis. Accomplishments
Date Wed, Dec. 5, 2018 - 12:38pm By Hamilton
The American Tort Reform Association recently released its 2018-19 Judicial Hellholes report. While the report’s focus is to recognize some of the worst-ranking civil justice climates in the country, the report also highlights several “Points of Light,” including civil justice reform accomplishments in Wisconsin over the past year. The report recognizes the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s […]
Supreme Court December Oral Arguments
Date Wed, Dec. 5, 2018 - 12:36pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will meet just once for oral arguments in December. Of note, the Dec. 11 oral arguments include West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. v. Ixthus Medical Supply, Inc. The case will determine whether West Bend has a duty to defend Ixthus in a case involving the alleged illegal domestic sale of diabetic […]
Legislature Passes Extraordinary Session Bill Package
Date Wed, Dec. 5, 2018 - 9:25am By Hamilton
The Senate convened first and began by taking up a list of appointees from Gov. Scott Walker. The Senate confirmed the appointees en masse, 18-15 along party lines. Of note, Ellen Nowak was confirmed as Public Service Commissioner, and Georgia Maxwell was confirmed as Labor and Industry Review Commissioner. The legislature also approved three bills. […]
2018 Study Committees Winding Down
Date Tue, Dec. 4, 2018 - 4:51pm By Hamilton
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 […]
DOA Suspends RFPs
Date Tue, Dec. 4, 2018 - 4:41pm By Hamilton
The Department of Administration (DOA) procurement team has announced it is suspending all pending Requests for Proposals (RFPs) until after the transition from Gov. Scott Walker to governor-elect Tony Evers is complete. DOA said RFPs that have not reached their due date will be cancelled, with the option for agencies under the Evers administration to […]
Senate & Assembly Caucuses Select Leadership
Date Tue, Dec. 4, 2018 - 4:18pm By Hamilton
The Senate and Assembly caucuses on both sides of the aisle have elected their leadership for the 2019-20 legislative sessions. Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of the legislature have elected largely the same leadership teams for their respective caucuses. Senate Republicans re-elected Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), President Roger Roth (R-Appleton), President Pro Tempore […]
Evers Transition Team Takes Shape
Date Tue, Dec. 4, 2018 - 4:15pm By Hamilton
Governor-elect Tony Evers has begun setting up his transition team as he prepares to take office in January. The Joint Finance Committee approved Evers’s $94,600 transition budget request, most of which will go to seven transition staff positions. Transition Team Evers named his campaign manager Maggie Gau his chief of staff and JoAnne Anton, […]