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, […]
Floor Report: November Senate & Assembly Floor Periods
Date Wed, Nov. 13, 2019 - 2:27pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate and Assembly met this month for what is expected to be the last floor sessions of 2019. The Senate met on Nov. 5, and the Assembly met on Nov. 7 and 12. Both chambers also met very briefly in accordance with Gov. Tony Evers’s call for a special session on gun reform […]
Hands-Free Driving Bill Introduced
Date Tue, Nov. 12, 2019 - 3:45pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin legislators have introduced a bill (SB 522/AB 582) that would ban use of wireless communication devices while driving, except for hands-free use. The bill would put Wisconsin in line with nearly 20 states that ban handheld cell phone use while driving, including neighboring state Minnesota, which recently passed a similar law. The bill provides […]
Legislators Reintroduce Family Medical Leave Bill
Date Fri, Oct. 25, 2019 - 10:56am By Hamilton
Sen. Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb) are reintroducing a bill that would expand Wisconsin’s Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The legislators circulated for cosponsorship the new FMLA proposal (LRB 0323) on Oct. 22. The bill would expand the application of the FMLA to small businesses with at least 25 permanent […]
Gov. Evers Calls Special Session on Gun Reform
Date Fri, Oct. 25, 2019 - 10:26am By Hamilton
On Oct. 21, Gov. Tony Evers issued Executive Order #54, calling for a special session of the Legislature on Nov. 7 to address gun violence. The executive order directs the legislature to consider two bills: a “red-flag” law and universal background check requirements. LRB 4383/LRB 4700, authored by Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) and Sen. Lena […]
Assembly Rule Changes
Date Fri, Oct. 25, 2019 - 10:11am By Hamilton
In their Oct. 10 floor session, the Wisconsin Assembly voted largely along party lines to approve several Assembly rule changes in two Assembly Resolutions. Assembly Resolution 12, which passed 61-35, included provisions to allow members with permanent disabilities to participate in committee meetings remotely. Other changes included in AR 12 were: Establishes time limits for […]
October Floor Preview: Senate to Approve Evers Appointments, Assembly Will Focus on First Responders
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2019 - 10:27am By Hamilton
The Senate and Assembly are both meeting this week for the first time since passing the state budget in June. Both chambers plan to meet once more in November before returning in 2020 for the final floorperiods of the 2019-20 legislative session. Below are highlights of the Senate & Assembly calendars this week. Senate […]
Wisconsin Democrats Release Legislative Priorities
Date Tue, Oct. 8, 2019 - 10:24am By Hamilton
Ahead of October floor sessions this week, Wisconsin Democrats released a list of legislative priorities called “Forward Together.” Legislators released the initiative at press conferences around the state on Oct. 7. The package is “focused on values that put families, workers, and communities first.” The initiative contains several proposals under eight broad categories: Under Affordable […]
Federal Extraordinary Session Case Dismissed
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 4:12pm By Hamilton
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin recently dismissed DPW v. Vos, the federal case challenging the 2018 extraordinary session laws. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) had filed a complaint in February seeking to declare the extraordinary session legislation in violation of the U.S. Constitution. DPW alleged that the legislation violates the […]
Water Quality Task Force Meets in Northern Wis. to Discuss PFAS
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 10:08am By Hamilton
After meeting in 15 locations around the state, the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality has likely wrapped up its public hearings. Below is an update on the last four meetings in northern Wisconsin, where the task force discussed several topics, including PFAS. Green Bay On Aug. 28, the task force met in Green […]