This session, Wisconsin lawmakers have introduced several bills that would create new legal causes of action against employers and could be costly to Wisconsin businesses if enacted. Read below for descriptions and the status of each of the bills. SB 40/AB 40 – Wage Claims Sen. Bob Wirch (D-Somers) and Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) […]
Legislature Files Lawsuit Against AG to Enforce Extraordinary Session Laws
Date Wed, Aug. 7, 2019 - 10:19am By Hamilton
Republican legislative leadership have filed a petition for original action in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, seeking to enforce sections of the 2018 extraordinary legislation that require legislative oversight of attorney general settlements. The Legislature’s petition and memo in support state that Attorney General Josh Kaul reads the 2017 Act 369 settlement review provisions as not […]
Water Quality Task Force Continues to Meet Around the State
Date Fri, Aug. 2, 2019 - 10:42am By Hamilton
The Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality is continuing to meet around the state to hear testimony from stakeholders and hold public hearings. Recent task force meetings have been held in Sturtevant, Tomahawk and Stevens Point. Sturtevant On July 11, the task force traveled to southeastern Wisconsin to hear about wastewater and cleanup programs. First, […]
Latest Bills Signed & Vetoed By Gov. Evers
Date Fri, Aug. 2, 2019 - 10:39am By Hamilton
Since signing the 2019-21 state budget, Gov. Tony Evers has signed several other notable bills into law, including drug step therapy, electric scooters, and design-build legislation. The governor has also vetoed two transportation-related bills. On July 8, Gov. Evers signed 2019 Act 11, which authorizes electric foot scooters on most roadways, sidewalks, and bike lanes. […]
Bills on Notice of Claim, Pleading Procedures Moving in the Legislature
Date Tue, Jul. 23, 2019 - 3:40pm By Hamilton
Two bills that would make changes to Wisconsin procedures for service of certain documents are moving in the Wisconsin Legislature. The bills, authored by Rep. Ron Tusler (R-Harrison) and Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison), passed the Assembly in June. The Senate Committee on Insurance, Financial Services, Government Oversight & Courts held a public hearing on the […]
Wisconsin Redistricting Case Dismissed Following U.S. Supreme Court Decision
Date Tue, Jul. 23, 2019 - 3:37pm By Hamilton
The U.S. Supreme Court recently held in Rucho v. Common Cause that partisan gerrymandering claims are nonjusticiable political questions. As a result, plaintiffs and defendants agreed to dismiss the redistricting case Gill v. Whitford, which challenged Wisconsin’s state legislative district maps. The 5-4 Supreme Court decision dismissed the plaintiffs’ arguments that redistricting maps in North […]
Enbridge Energy Co., Inc. v. Dane County (Conditional Use Permit)
Date Tue, Jul. 23, 2019 - 3:33pm By Hamilton
In Enbridge Energy Co., Inc. v. Dane County (2019 WI 78), the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that counties may not include unenforceable permit conditions on conditional use permits. Dane County issued Enbridge Energy a conditional use permit to expand the volume of oil pumped through a local Enbridge pipeline. The permit contained conditions requiring Enbridge to […]
L.G. v. Aurora Residential Alternatives, Inc. (Compelled Arbitration)
Date Tue, Jul. 23, 2019 - 3:31pm By Hamilton
In L.G. v. Aurora Residential Alternatives, Inc. (2019 WI 79), the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that a circuit court’s order denying a motion to compel arbitration is a final order under Wis. Stat. § 808.03(1), allowing the order to be appealed. The plaintiff patient filed the underlying lawsuit in this case against Aurora regarding an […]
Pranke Holding LLC v. DOT (Eminent Domain)
Date Tue, Jul. 23, 2019 - 3:30pm By Hamilton
In Pranke Holding LLC v. DOT (2018AP1646), the Court of Appeals District I held that a business was not due rental losses after an eminent domain taking on its property. The Department of Transportation (DOT) acquired part of Pranke Holding’s property through eminent domain. The taking closed off one of four access points to the […]
Mallett v. LIRC (Worker’s Compensation)
Date Tue, Jul. 23, 2019 - 3:29pm By Hamilton
In Mallett v. LIRC (2017AP1601), the Court of Appeals District I held that part of a worker’s compensation claim was barred by issue preclusion but directed further litigation on the plaintiff’s other claims. Gregory Mallett filed and received awards for worker’s compensation claims in both 1981 and 1983. LIRC denied a 2007 claim that the […]