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 […]
Awaiting Governor’s Signature: Immunity for Private Campgrounds
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
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. […]
Attempts to Repeal Asbestos Trust Reforms Die in Committee
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 2:58pm By Hamilton
Assembly Bill 862, authored by Rep. Dana Wachs (D-Eau Claire), and Senate Bill 723, authored by Sen. Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma), would have reversed a major liability reform priority from last session relating to fraud in asbestos lawsuits involving personal injury trusts. On March 27, 2014, Gov. Scott Walker signed 2013 AB 19 into law as 2013 Wisconsin Act […]
Dies in Committee: Medical Malpractice Claims Relating to an Adult Child’s Death
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 2:44pm By Hamilton
Under current law, as stated in Estate of Wells v. Mt. Sinai Medical Center, 183 Wis. 2d 677 (1994), a parent does not have the right to recover for the loss of society and companionship of an adult child who dies as the result of medical malpractice. Sen. Nikiya Harris Dodd (D-Milwaukee) and Rep. Dana […]
Changes to Interest Rates on Small Claims Judgments Legislation Passes Assembly, Dies in Senate
Date Mon, Mar. 28, 2016 - 2:29pm By Hamilton
Assembly Bill 95, authored by Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac), and Senate Bill 76, authored by Sen. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater), sought to change the interest rate for pre- and post- judgment interest for verdicts in small claims court. AB 95, as introduced, would revise the formula created in 2011 Wisconsin Act 69 back to […]
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 […]
Room Tax Technical Clarification Concurred in Senate
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:51am By Hamilton
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 […]