Legislature Running Out of Time

The legislative session is quickly winding down and legislators are rushing to get their bills done before they head home for campaign season. Just this week 34 committee hearings and meetings were held in the capitol. 

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has repeatedly said the Assembly will wrap up its work in February. State representatives will be to the floor February 9 and 11. They will also be in on February 16-18.

The Senate will be on the floor February 9 and 16 as well, Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald says the Senate plans to use floor days at least through March 15.

There is a slew of controversial bills still moving through the legislative process, all stuck or flying through the legislature at different stages: minimum markup legislation, workers compensation changes, changes to chiropractors’ status in Wisconsin, high-capacity wells legislation, a regulatory reform bill, and a property rights bill package involving DNR’s ability to regulate waterways and water levels. But time is flying by as the Assembly is projected to be out of session by month’s end, and the success and failure of these bills is ticking away.