As 2019 comes to a close, Hamilton Consulting analyzes where we are in the 2019-20 legislative session and highlights what we might expect, according to legislative leadership, for the remainder of the session in 2020. So far this session… With divided government this session, the pace of bills passed and signed into law has […]
PFAS Update: AG Holds Listening Session in Marinette, Foam Bill Passes Committee
Date Fri, Dec. 20, 2019 - 10:18am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature and state agencies are continuing to address PFAS chemicals. Recently, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul held a listening session on PFAS in Marinette. Meanwhile, an Assembly Committee has passed a bill to address PFAS in firefighting foams. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals found in many everyday products, including nonstick […]
MU Poll Finds Few Changes in Voter Opinion on Trump, Impeachment
Date Fri, Dec. 20, 2019 - 9:51am By Hamilton
There were no big surprises in the final Marquette University (MU) Law School poll of 2019. The poll found little movement in questions about President Donald Trump and impeachment. Democratic candidates in the 2020 presidential primary regained ground on Trump in head-to-head questions, though there was little change in voters’ top choices for the nomination. […]
Legislators Circulate Bill to Protect Sports Officials
Date Fri, Dec. 20, 2019 - 9:38am By Hamilton
Reps. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville), Don Vruwink (D-Milton) & Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) and Sens. Andre Jacque (R-DePere) and Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) are circulating a bill that would protect sports officials. Assault of sports officials is a rising problem across the country and in Wisconsin. The bill (LRB 4781) seeks to address this problem by strengthening […]
Assembly Committee Hearing on Dental Therapy Legislation
Date Fri, Dec. 20, 2019 - 9:34am By Hamilton
The Assembly Committee on Medicaid Reform & Oversight held a public hearing on Dec. 18 on a bill that would newly allow dental therapists, an intermediate level of dentistry practice between hygienists and dentists, to practice in Wisconsin. The bipartisan bill has received wide support from a coalition of over 60 stakeholder groups but is […]
Federal Appeals Court Rules on ACA Individual Mandate
Date Fri, Dec. 20, 2019 - 9:30am By Hamilton
The federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Dec. 18, 2019, that the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate is unconstitutional. However, the court remanded the case back to the federal district court in Texas to decide how much of the rest of the ACA is unconstitutional. In December 2018, the district court ruled […]
PSCW Holds Electric Vehicles Workshop
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2019 - 2:56pm By Hamilton
On Dec. 5, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) held a workshop on electric vehicles (EVs). The workshop is part of PSCW’s investigation of EV policy and regulation, an investigative docket that PSCW approved in February 2019. (PSCW Docket # 5-EI-156.) According to the notice, input at the workshop will be used to inform future […]
Rep. Neubauer Releases Climate Change Package
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2019 - 2:51pm By Hamilton
This week, Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) released a package of bills to address climate change in Wisconsin. The “Forward on Climate” package addresses carbon emissions, investment in renewable energy, weatherization, and sustainable farming. Social Cost of Carbon LRB 4811 would require the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to consider the social cost of […]
AG Kaul Joins Emissions Standards Lawsuit
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2019 - 2:43pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined a coalition of states and cities seeking judicial review of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules related to vehicle emissions standards. The rules amend greenhouse gas and corporate average fuel economy standards and repeal California’s waiver for its state greenhouse […]
PFAS Update: WI Agency Advisory Council Meets, EPA Action
Date Fri, Dec. 6, 2019 - 2:38pm By Hamilton
In addition to last month’s comment period on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) initial scope statements seeking to regulate PFAS, Wisconsin and federal agencies are continuing to progress toward regulation of these substances. At the state level, Gov. Tony Evers has convened a multi-agency advisory council to address PFAS. At the federal level, […]