This fall, the Wisconsin Assembly launched a series of task forces to examine a range of policy areas impacting communities statewide. Established by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), the groups are exploring topics such as supporting older adults, improving government operations, reviewing administrative rulemaking processes, and promoting child safety in the digital age. The task […]
Assembly Task Forces Take Up Issues Ranging from Elder Care to Government Modernization
Date Fri, Nov. 7, 2025 - 9:33am By Hamilton
Governor Signs Bipartisan Bills Supporting Wisconsin’s EMS Workforce
Date Thu, Oct. 23, 2025 - 2:13pm By Hamilton
Governor Tony Evers has signed two bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening Wisconsin’s emergency medical services (EMS) system. Authored by Sen. Howard Marklein (R–Spring Green) and Rep. Tony Kurtz (R–Wonewoc), Acts 35 and 36 are designed to help local EMS departments address ongoing challenges with recruitment, retention, and training. Act 35 establishes a tuition reimbursement program […]
Vos Unveils Four New Task Forces to Tackle Key Issues
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2025 - 2:14pm By Hamilton
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has announced the creation of four bipartisan legislative task forces this fall. Each task force will begin its work in the coming months and will hold public hearings to hear directly from agencies, experts, and the public before making recommendations to the Legislature. The task forces will focus on four […]
Gov. Evers Files Lawsuit Over Rulemaking Dispute with Legislature
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2025 - 2:12pm By Hamilton
Gov. Tony Evers has filed a lawsuit against the Republican-controlled Legislature, asking a court to enforce recent Wisconsin Supreme Court rulings on administrative rulemaking. On July 8, the Court, in a 4–3 decision, struck down key legislative powers over rulemaking. Previously, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) could block, suspend, or permanently […]
Separation of Powers and Rulemaking Dispute Continues
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:02am By Hamilton
A July 8 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling reshaped the balance of power between the governor and the Legislature over administrative rulemaking. In a 4–3 decision, the Court struck down the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules’ (JCRAR) authority to block or suspend rules, calling it an unconstitutional legislative veto. Going forward, lawmakers can only […]
PBM Legislation Advances Out of Senate Committee
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:00am By Hamilton
SB 203/AB 173 was introduced this session by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R–Irma) and Rep. Todd Novak (R–Dodgeville) to further regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill is largely the same as last session’s proposal, with a new provision requiring PBMs to pay pharmacy claims within 30 days. On August 18, Sen. Felzkowski offered an amendment […]
Dems Circulate Legislation to Reauthorize the Stewardship Program
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 9:57am By Hamilton
This week, Democratic lawmakers announced their version of bill to extend the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (KNSP) for six years at $72 million annually. Their plan would also create a 17-member oversight board to review large projects, with safeguards to keep projects moving if the board does not act on time. The lead authors, Sen. Jodi […]
Gov. Evers Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Nurse Licensure
Date Thu, Aug. 14, 2025 - 3:04pm By Hamilton
Governor Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill Friday, August 8, 2025, aimed at expanding healthcare access across Wisconsin by creating new licensure opportunities for nurses. AB257, now enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, allows registered nurses (RNs) to become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), offering more independence in practice and increasing the […]
After Evers v. Marklein Decision, Wisconsin’s Updated Building Code Takes Effect
Date Thu, Aug. 14, 2025 - 3:01pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s first major upgrade to its Commercial Building Code in more than a decade takes effect Sept. 1, 2025, adopting 2021 International Building Code standards with state-specific adjustments. The update applies to commercial and multi-family residential buildings. The change follows a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling in Evers v. Marklein that struck down as unconstitutional key […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Overturns Legislature’s Rule-Review Powers
Date Thu, Jul. 17, 2025 - 1:05pm By Hamilton
July 8, the 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned key powers the Legislature had over administrative rulemaking. Under Wisconsin law, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules could temporarily stop a rule from taking effect, permanently prevent a rule from taking effect, and suspend a rule already in effect. Ultimately, it […]