On its last day of session, the Wisconsin Senate passed a number of bills of interest to law enforcement. Most notable was legislation (SB 373) that fixed a significant issue – the collection of DNA samples. In 2013, Gov. Scott Walker included language in the Budget bill that would allow law enforcement to collect DNA […]
Walker Signs TIF Bill with Bipartisan Support
Date Thu, Apr. 3, 2014 - 3:48pm By Hamilton
Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 252, which allows the Department of Revenue (DOR) to reduce the base value of certain tax increment finance districts that have suffered significant declines from their original values. As one of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association’s (WEDA) top legislative priorities, this bill is another example of the retooling that’s continually […]
Walker Signs Economic Development Tax Credit Bill
Date Thu, Apr. 3, 2014 - 3:44pm By Hamilton
Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 449 earlier this week, which allows for the transfer of economic development tax credits between eligible Wisconsin taxpayers. Representative Loudenbeck and Senator Gudex authored this bipartisan bill. “Tax credits are one of the primary tools in the State of Wisconsin’s economic development toolbox,” said Patrick Schloss, President of Wisconsin Economic […]
Assembly and Senate Retirements
Date Thu, Apr. 3, 2014 - 3:26pm By Hamilton
To date, 22 Representatives and 7 Senators have announced they will not seek re-election; additional retirements may be announced in the coming weeks. Listed below are the announced and potential retirements. Assembly Retirements: (7 Democrat and 15 Republican seats) Representative Janet Bewley, Democrat, 74th AD (Running for State Senate in open seat vacated by Senator […]
Governor Walker Signs 29 Bills into Law
Date Wed, Apr. 2, 2014 - 10:12am By Hamilton
With the Assembly and Senate finishing off their two year session and March drawing to a close, Governor Walker signed a slew of bills into law, with one partial veto and one full veto. The following is a partial list of those bills signed: Assembly Bill 770 – creates an emergency heating assistance loan guarantee […]
Oral Chemotherapy Bill Passes Assembly with Amendment
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 6:31pm By Hamilton
After passing the Senate earlier this week, discussion on a bill (SB 300) took place in the Assembly that would require an insurance plan that covers both intravenous and oral chemotherapy to treat the cost-sharing (copayment, deductible or coinsurance amounts) for oral chemotherapy the same as cost sharing for intravenous treatments. Referred to as “parity” the […]
Senate Passes Limit on Liability for Parents of Minor Drivers
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 6:28pm By Hamilton
On Wednesday, March 12, the Wisconsin Senate passed SB 592 (Sen. Grothman/Rep. Jim Ott) that would place a $300,000 limit on liability for parents of minor drivers. Wisconsin is currently one of roughly 12 states that imposes unlimited liability on parents of drivers ages 16 to 18. Unexpectedly, Rep. Jim Ott, the Assembly Judiciary Chairperson […]
Patent Troll Legislation Passes Assembly; Not All Businesses Support the Legislation
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 4:57pm By Hamilton
Despite last minute efforts to exempt manufacturers, the Assembly on Thursday, March 20, passed SB 498. The bill addresses so-called “patent trolls,” which are individuals or companies that attempt to enforce patent rights against accused infringers in order to collect licensing fees, but does not manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents in question. The […]
Training for Law Enforcement Changes in Domestic Abuse Cases
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 3:53pm By Hamilton
A new bill changing the training standards for law enforcement officers regarding domestic abuse incidents and complaints was passed the final hurdle of passage, and now goes to Governor Walker’s desk for signature. The original bill required: A law enforcement officer to prepare a report if that officer does not make an arrest because that […]
Inattentive Driving Bill Passed
Date Thu, Mar. 20, 2014 - 3:28pm By Hamilton
A bill which amends the current Inattentive Driving statutes was passed by the Senate this week. The new bill specifies no person while driving a motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle, a commercial motor vehicle, or a tow truck, may operate or be in a position to directly observe any electronic device located […]