| Those working on the Wisconsin budget sit in limbo, as the Joint Finance Committee has not met in nearly a month. In June, the legislature convened once and some of the passed bills relating to firearms have already been signed by Governor Walker, which you can read about below in "Bills of Note". However, most in Wisconsin politics continue to be preoccupied with the budget, or lack thereof. This edition of Tidbits includes the details of the budget saga, an update on the primary for the 33rd Senate District and a Bills of Note on firearms laws, public notices on the internet and ignition interlock legislation.
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| As the Budget Turns... |
No one knows for sure when legislators will finish work on the state budget, but as of today their public statements reveal that they are still at odds. The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has not met since late May and there has not been any official notice of future JFC meetings.
A few key sticking points, including transportation funding, the Milwaukee Bucks arena funding and prevailing wage reform, have held the spotlight as the issues of contention between both houses and the Governor. There are a number of other issues that are still pending that likely do not have agreement and will surface in the "999" wrap-up motion at the end of the process.
After pressure from Governor Walker to not include any revenue increases to the transportation budget, legislators have settled on reducing $1.3 bonding level and cutting projects. Thus, a backdrop has emerged to the budget debate between the two houses, which has reignited an old division that pits Milwaukee versus the rest of the state. Read more... |
| New Senator to Represent 33rd Senate District |
Representative Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) has won the primary for the special election to fill the 33rd Senate seat. The Senate seat, which covers most of Waukesha County, is currently held by Senator Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee), whose last day is July 17th. In November, Sen. Farrow was elected as Waukesha County Executive.
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| Bills of Note: Drafted, Passed, and Signed |
Air Pollution Rule Repeal
Senate Bill 144, introduced in May by Senator Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls), eliminates a rule promulgated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), relating to construction permit requirements for stationary sources that emit greenhouses gases, which is no longer valid under the Supreme Court's decision in Utility Air Regulatory Group v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the 2014 decision, the Supreme Court largely upheld the right of the EPA to regulate emission, but limited its authority in regulating smaller stationary sources.
Legal Notices on the Internet
In late April, Sen. Howard Markelin (R-Spring Green) introduced Senate Bill 137, which would change the way local municipalities are allowed to post public notices. Under current law, a municipality must post the notice in at least three public places likely to give notice to those affected.
Ignition Interlock
Last week, Rep. David Heaton (R- Wausau) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R- Racine) introduced AB 266, which would create an Ignition Interlock Restricted License (IIRL). The IIRL is an option, in addition to the occupational license, for a person who commits a first OWI offense while their alcohol level is below .15 and a person who either fails a chemical test or refuses a test. Under the bill, the ignition interlock device (IID) would not have time of day or route restrictions but is mandated to be in any vehicle operated by a person with an IIRL.
Signed into Law: Off-duty and Retired Law Enforcement Carry on School Grounds
On June 24, Governor Walker signed
SB 70 into law as
2015 Wisconsin Act 23. Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) introduced the bill with its companion
AB 46, which was laid on the table after the Senate's passage of SB 70.
Signed into Law: 48 hour waiting period
SB 35, which was signed into law as 2015 Wisconsin Act 22 by Governor Walker on Tuesday removed a 48-hour waiting period required for those who purchase a firearm. The bill was originally introduced by Sen. Wanggaard and Rep. Quinn. Read more about these bills... |
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| Supreme Court Set to Revisit Class Action Standards |
The U.S. Supreme Court recently granted certiorari to Tyson Foods, Inc. v. Bouaphakeo, a case which has the potential to shake up the class action bar.
The case revolves around a dispute raised by Tyson pork-processing workers from an Iowa plant who alleged they were underpaid for time spent putting on and taking off protective gear and walking to and from workstations. The scope of the class was created using statistical information about how much time the average Tyson worker took to put on the gear and get to their work station. No individualized analysis of class members was undergone.
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