On their last day of session, the Senate concurred in Assembly Bill 714. The bill now heads to Governor Scott Walker. Assembly Bill 714/Senate Bill 578 authored by Rep. Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) and Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) clarifies the definition of tourism entities that collect room tax. The legislation adjusts the creation date of an existing […]
High Capacity Well Legislation Dies
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:49am By Hamilton
On the last night of session, the Senate took up and passed Senate Bill 239, guaranteeing the death of high capacity well legislation this session. Last month, the Assembly passed its companion, Assembly Bill 874, as adopted by amendments. This week, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism, passed SB 239 and adopted […]
Social and Financial Impact for Health Care Mandates Legislation Passes Legislature
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:46am By Hamilton
On March 15, the Senate concurred in Assembly Bill 543. The Assembly unanimously passed AB 543 on February 11. The bill now heads to the governor for his signature. Authored by Rep. John Jagler (R-Watertown) and Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Brookfield), AB 543 would prevent the legislature from holding a hearing on or taking a vote […]
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 […]
Regulatory Reform Legislation Dies in Senate
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:32am By Hamilton
Legislation that would have been a big win for the business community died after the Senate did not take up Assembly Bill 251 on the last day of session. Key provisions in the bill would require legislative approval of rules costing over $10 million and allow for independent economic impacts of rules. This legislation, authored […]
PSC Reform Bill Passes Legislature
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:31am By Hamilton
On their last session day, the Senate concurred in Assembly Bill 804, otherwise known as the Public Service Commission (PSC) Reform Bill. The bill now heads to Governor Scott Walker for his signature. The Assembly passed the legislation in February. Rep. Mike Kuglitsch (R-New Berlin) and Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) introduced Assembly Bill 804 and […]
Prohibition of Regulating Auxiliary Containers Headed to Governor
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:29am By Hamilton
On the last night of session, the Senate concurred in Assembly Bill 730. The bill now heads to the governor for his signature. The legislation prohibits a city, village, town, or county from regulating auxiliary containers (such as a bag, cup, bottle, etc.) made of cloth, paper, plastic cardboard, corrugated material, aluminum, glass, postconsumer recycled […]
Legislation to Allow Out-of-State Companies to Purchase Water & Sewer Utilities Dies in Senate
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:26am By Hamilton
Introduced by Representative Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) and Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) in December, Assembly Bill 554/Senate Bill 432 would have created a new process for out-of-state utility companies to purchase or lease water or sewer utilities in Wisconsin. The Assembly passed AB 554 on a voice vote in January. The Senate Committee on […]
Interest Rates on Judgments Legislation Dies
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:23am By Hamilton
Authored by Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) and Sen. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater), Assembly Bill 95/Senate Bill 76 sought to change the interest rate for pre- and post- judgment interest for verdicts in small claims court. As passed by the Assembly, the legislation would have revised the formula created in 2011 Act 69 (Act 69) to […]
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 […]