As the legislature moves forward with the budget and Foxconn, committee action is also picking up. Over the past two weeks, committees have held hearings and executive sessions on a wide variety of bills. Below is a recap of interesting bills that have recently moved in committees:

• The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a public hearing on a package of bills relating to intoxicated driving enforcement on Sept. 5.
• The Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Mining and Forestry held an informational tour of the reclaimed Flambeau Mine Site on Sept. 6, followed by a public hearing in Ladysmith on Sept. 7 on Sen. Thomas Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Rep. Rob Hutton’s (R-Brookfield) non-ferrous mining bill.
• The Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform held a public hearing on SB 235 that would make changes to the composition of the Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council on Sept. 7.
• Following the Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee hearing, the committee voted in executive session on SB 61, relating to asset forfeiture. The committee passed a substitute amendment to the bill 3-2.
• The Senate Labor and Regulatory Reform Committee also voted 3-2 to pass a regulatory reform bill on agency review of administrative rules, authored by Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Sen. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater).
• The Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules received a briefing on the REINS (Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny) Act on Sept. 7.
• The Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing on Sept. 7 on Rep. André Jacque (R-DePere) and Rep. Joel Kleefisch’s (R-Oconomowoc) bill package on preventing child trafficking.
• Following the Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety hearing on Sept. 7, the Committee voted 10-1 to pass a victims’ rights amendment to the Wisconsin constitution, also known as Marsy’s Law.
• On Sept. 12, the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development voted 10-3 to pass AB 326 that would allow minors 15 years or older to be employed as lifeguards.
• Following the Sept. 12 executive session, the Assembly Workforce Development Committee held a public hearing on AB 422 that would create the Hire Heroes program to provide transitional jobs to veterans.
• Also on Sept. 12, the Assembly Committee on Transportation unanimously passed AB 381 regarding special law enforcement registration plates.