Governor Walker signed AB 223 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 133 on February 4, 2016. Assembly Bill 223 introduced by Rep. Spiros (R-Marshfield) and Sen. Lasee (R-De Pere). Under current law, the time limit for initiating a civil action on a contract or obligation, including an insurance policy, is generally six years after the […]
Signed into Law: Statutes of Limitation on Claims Involving Property Damage or Motor Vehicle Accident
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:10pm By Hamilton
Awaiting Governor’s Signature: Immunity for Private Campgrounds
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
Assembly Bill 174/Senate Bill 131, introduced by Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) and Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), as amended, would create immunity from civil liability for a private campground in certain circumstances. The legislation passed the Assembly on February 16, 2016, and the Senate on March 16. The enrolled legislation now awaits gubernatorial approval. Under […]
Signed into Law: Liability Limits for Ski Area Operators
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:01pm By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker signed Assembly Bill 596/Senate Bill 463 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 168 on March 1, 2016. The new statute, introduced by Rep. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake) and Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville), changes the term “snow sport” to “alpine sport” and adds “biking” to the list of activities included in the term. […]
Signed into Law: Liability Limitations under Wisconsin’s Dog Bite Law
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 2:26pm By Hamilton
Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) and Representative Mary Czaja (R-Irma) introduced Senate Bill 286 to reform Wisconsin’s long standing “dog bite” statute. The legislation, supported by WDC, was signed into law on November 11, 2015, as 2015 Wisconsin Act 112. Under prior law, Wis. Stat. § 174.02(1)(b), dog owners were liable for double damages for dogs […]
Signed into Law: Adult Sponsor of Minor Driver Liability Reform
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 2:23pm By Hamilton
On March 1, 2016, Governor Scott Walker signed into law 2015 Wisconsin Act 202, which limits the liability of a parent or other adult sponsoring a minor obtaining a driver’s license. Sen. Kapenga (R-Delafield) and Rep. Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) championed the legislation (Assembly Bill 540/Senate Bill 408). WDC supported this important liability reform. Wisconsin law […]
Worker’s Compensation Bill Signed into Law
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:33am By Hamilton
On February 29, 2016, Governor Scott Walker signed the Worker’s Compensation “Agreed Upon” Bill for 2016, Assembly Bill 724, into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 180. Originally introduced by Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) and Rep. John Spiros (R-Marshfield) in January 2016, the bill is a result of a consensus recommendation from labor and management representatives on […]
Legislation to Allow Mounting Vehicle Monitoring Device Signed by Governor
Date Thu, Mar. 3, 2016 - 6:57pm By Hamilton
2015 Wisconsin Act 160 was signed by Governor Walker on Monday, February 29. The legislation, authored by Rep. Spiros (R – Marshfield) and Sen. Wanggaard (R – Racine) allows one to mount a monitoring and feedback device to the front windshield of a vehicle around the rearview mirror area. The legislation changes the previously existing […]
New Review of Water Quality Standards Legislation Signed by Governor
Date Thu, Mar. 3, 2016 - 6:36pm By Hamilton
2015 Wisconsin Act 205 modifies the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) multi-discharger variance program to meet the new federal requirements. Act 205 creates a new procedure for when variances must be reviewed. This includes a three-year review standard and a highest attainable review. Under the new law, every three years, DNR must review the water […]
Gov. Walker Reinforces SCOTUS Stay of Clean Power Plan through Executive Order
Date Thu, Feb. 18, 2016 - 6:20pm By Hamilton
On February 9, 2016 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan (CPP) until the litigation surrounding it is resolved. Justices Kennedy, Alito, Thomas, Scalia and Chief Justice Roberts voted in favor of the stay. Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan voted to deny the application. This […]
Governor Walker’s State of the State Address
Date Fri, Jan. 22, 2016 - 10:32am By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker delivered his sixth State of the Address on Tuesday night before a joint session of the state legislature. The governor highlighted Wisconsin’s current economic strength, including the 20-year record lows in unemployment, income tax, and property tax rates, and 20-year record highs in the labor rate. The governor also spent a significant […]