Tony Zammit of Chippewa Falls has entered a crowded Republican primary for the 67th Assembly District. Zammit, the executive director of the Chippewa Valley Symphony, officially declared his candidacy on April 13. In a statement released by his campaign, Zammit said, if elected he will focus on improving the education system and strengthening the economy […]
Tony Zammit Enters Crowded Race for 67th Assembly District
Date Thu, May. 5, 2016 - 3:27pm By Hamilton
Mandatory CPR Training Bill Signed into Law
Date Thu, May. 5, 2016 - 3:23pm By Hamilton
In one of the final bill signings this legislative session, Gov. Scott Walker signed AB 545 into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 390. The legislation requires mandatory cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training be taught in every health class offered to pupils in grades seven through 12. The requirement will be effective starting with the 2017-18 school […]
Governor Vetoes Two Bills
Date Thu, May. 5, 2016 - 3:21pm By Hamilton
The review period for the governor to sign or veto legislation has now ended. While Gov. Scott Walker signed most bills, he also issued his first full vetoes. Senate Bill 360 and Senate Bill 87 were vetoed and returned to the Senate. SB 360, which was introduced by Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) and Sen. Luther […]
Legislative Study Committees Finalized
Date Thu, May. 5, 2016 - 2:55pm By Hamilton
Each interim summer, the Wisconsin Legislative Council provides legal and policy support to the study committees established by the Joint Legislative Council. The Joint Legislative Council has finalized the 2016 legislative study committees. The final seven committees and corresponding chairs include: Study Committee on Access to Civil Legal Services (Rep. Cody Horlacher, Chair and Sen. […]
Law Creates New Funding Stream for Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Date Thu, May. 5, 2016 - 2:32pm By Hamilton
A bill that would create a new dedicated funding stream for law enforcement to fight internet crimes against children was signed by Gov. Scott Walker as 2015 Wisconsin Act 369 in April 2016. The law transfers $1 million from an existing appropriation for drug law enforcement to a new appropriation for investigating internet crimes against […]
Milwaukee Legislators Shuffle for November Elections
Date Fri, Apr. 15, 2016 - 10:55am By Hamilton
With new retirements and challenges being posed, there could be a bit of shuffling among Milwaukee’s legislators this election cycle. Rep. Mandela Barnes (D-Milwaukee) announced on April 11 he will challenge Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) in the Democratic primary in August. In a statement Barnes called for “fresh, transformational leadership” and said his campaign will […]
Group Hails Civil Litigation Reform Successes – Some Offense, Some Defense
Date Wed, Mar. 30, 2016 - 3:25pm By Hamilton
According to their end of session lookback, Wisconsin Civil Justice Council continued to advance civil litigation reforms this past session, albeit without the sweeping reforms seen in the prior two sessions. WCJC recently released their end of session report noting the following enacted reforms: Repeal of “False Claims for Medical Assistance Act” – Signed into […]
Signed into Law: Statutes of Limitation on Claims Involving Property Damage or Motor Vehicle Accident
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:10pm By Hamilton
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 […]
Dies in Committee: Loss-of-Use Liability for Rental Motor Vehicles
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:08pm By Hamilton
Under Assembly Bill 672/Senate Bill 495, introduced by Rep. Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah) and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), a rental company may hold a renter or driver of a rental car liable for loss of use that results from an accident if the renter or driver is cited or charged with inattentive or reckless driving or […]
Dies in Committee: Reviver Statute – Statute of Limitations for Sexual Contact with a Child
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:06pm By Hamilton
Under current law, the time a person has to bring an action for an injury resulting from being sexually assaulted or subject to incest as a child, or from being subject to sexual contact by a member of the clergy as a child, is any time before the injured party reaches the age of 35. […]