UPDATE (12/14/2022): NRB voted unanimously to authorize this new rulemaking during its December 2022 meeting. DNR will now begin drafting the rule. According to the scope statement approved by NRB, the department plans to hold a public hearing on the draft rule in July 2024. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is renewing its […]
Federal Officials Approve Wisconsin EV Infrastructure Plan
Date Tue, Sep. 20, 2022 - 4:58pm By Hamilton
Federal officials have approved Wisconsin’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure plan, which outlines how the state will spend millions in federal funds. The Federal Highway Administration notified the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on September 14 that the state’s plan was approved. At the time, Wisconsin and 33 other states had their plans approved. WisDOT submitted […]
PFAS Update: State Rules Move Forward; New EPA Health Advisories; Judge Stays Ruling
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:15am By Hamilton
Legislature Will Allow PFAS Rules to Take Effect This Year Rules regulating certain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking and surface water, developed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), could go into effect as soon as next month, with large public water systems required to begin testing for the compounds as early […]
Judges Announce Campaigns for Supreme Court Next Year
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:10am By Hamilton
Two state judges have announced campaigns for the Wisconsin Supreme Court next year for the seat currently occupied by Justice Patience Roggensack, who plans to retire. The race will appear on the nonpartisan spring ballot in April 2023. Justices in Wisconsin serve staggered 10-year terms. On May 25, Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz announced her […]
State Supreme Court Rules Against WMC in Business COVID Records Case
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:03am By Hamilton
Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state in a case involving the release of a list of businesses with multiple COVID-19 cases among employees. The case originated during the early months of the pandemic during a time of much greater uncertainty surrounding the disease, and before the Wisconsin Legislature enacted […]
Governor Calls for Special Session to Repeal Abortion Law
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:01am By Hamilton
Gov. Tony Evers (D) has called on the Wisconsin Legislature to convene a special session to consider repealing an 1849 law limiting abortion in the state. Gov. Evers issued an executive order on June 8 directing the Legislature to convene on June 22. The Legislature adjourned its 2021-22 regular session on March 8. Senate Majority […]
Wisconsin Republican Convention: Party Won’t Endorse in Statewide Primaries
Date Thu, May. 26, 2022 - 6:24pm By Hamilton
The Republican Party of Wisconsin held its annual convention last weekend (May 20-22) in Middleton. Elected officials, party leaders, and activists gathered to hear speeches, meet candidates, and vote on a slate of potential endorsements in contested primary elections. Candidates seeking the state party’s official endorsement needed the support of 60 percent of party delegates […]
Judge Rules Legislative Oversight of DOJ Settlements is Unconstitutional
Date Thu, May. 26, 2022 - 6:22pm By Hamilton
A relatively new law, requiring the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) to seek legislative approval to settle or discontinue a civil action, is facing a legal challenge brought by Attorney General (AG) Josh Kaul. Enacted in December 2018 during a “lame-duck” extraordinary session, 2017 Wisconsin Act 369 granted the review power to the Legislature’s budget-writing […]
U.S. to Extend COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
Date Thu, May. 26, 2022 - 6:14pm By Hamilton
The federal government’s ongoing public health emergency (PHE) is expected to be extended again. Last month, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced the renewal of his department’s PHE determination with respect to COVID-19 in the United States. Wisconsin, like other states, has been working towards a potential July expiration […]
Ethics Commission Updates Eye on Lobbying Website
Date Thu, May. 26, 2022 - 6:11pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Ethics Commission recently completed an overhaul of its Eye on Lobbying website, a repository of information about lobbying activities in Wisconsin. Licensed lobbyists and registered lobbying interests must use the website to report information about their expenditures and other efforts to influence state legislation and administrative rulemaking. Members of the public can access […]