In the wake of the Internet scare caused by the “Heartbleed Bug”, the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau has released two reports detailing online privacy and state services regarding cyber security. Regarding online privacy, a hot topic in the nation after the revelations in the media relating to the National Security Agency’s surveillance, many states are […]
New Voting Guideline Bills Signed into Law
Date Thu, Apr. 3, 2014 - 5:34pm By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker signed a number of bills this week which have been very controversial over the course of the 2013-2014 legislative session. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the bills include: Assembly Bill 24 – permits the Board of Canvassers to determine whether or not to conduct a recount of an […]
Final Legislation Goes Through State Senate
Date Thu, Apr. 3, 2014 - 5:13pm By Hamilton
As we reported last week, an amended version of a bill regarding insurance coverage of oral chemotherapy (SB 300)was passed in the Assembly. The amended version of the bill returned to the Senate this week, and was passed (26-7). The amended version of the bill provides that an insurance plan that covers both intravenous chemotherapy […]
Law Enforcement Bills Headed to Governor’s Desk
Date Thu, Apr. 3, 2014 - 4:16pm By Hamilton
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 […]