Study Committees Begin to Consider, Recommend Legislation

The Joint Legislative Council (JLC) of the Wisconsin Legislature recommends special committees to study major issues identified by the Legislature, typically during even-numbered years after adjournment. This year, seven study committees were established with instructions to gather information and make policy recommendations that could be considered for adoption by the Legislature next year. Bills drafted and recommended by the study committees will be considered for introduction by JLC next year. Read on for updates from some of those committees.

Study Committee on the Commercial Building Permitting Process

Led by Sen. Stroebel (R-Saukville) and Rep. Summerfield (R-Bloomer), this committee was tasked with recommending legislation to improve “the commercial plan review process within the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and municipalities, timelines for environmental permitting, and the role of the Commercial Building Code Council.” The committee heard testimony from professionals including state and local plan review officials, architects, and attorneys. At its fourth and final meeting on October 20, the committee voted unanimously to recommend three pieces of legislation:

  • LRB-6532: (1) allows an owner to schedule a future date for examination of plans, in addition to the option of receiving the next available appointment; (2) allows an owner to schedule a preliminary meeting with DSPS to facilitate the examination of plans; and (3) requires DSPS to examine certain smaller plumbing plans more expeditiously than is required under current administrative rules.
  • LRB-6534: (1) increases the project size thresholds for local commercial plan review authority; (2) caps the amount of commercial plan review fees that local units of government must forward to DSPS; and (3) requires DSPS to submit a plan to the Legislature.
  • LRB-6535: The bill codifies and expands the authority for DSPS and local units of government to allow a building owner to start construction of certain building components while a commercial building plan review is pending.

Study Committee on Increasing Offender Employment Opportunities

Led by Sen. Felzkowski (R-Irma) and Rep. Schraa (R-Oshkosh), this committee was tasked with reviewing “existing impediments to employment and job training for individuals who are incarcerated or recently released and to recommend legislation” to improve job prospects for offenders. The committee has heard testimony from representatives of the Wisconsin Technical College System, Department of Corrections, state and local workforce development agencies, think tanks, and nonprofit groups. Key documents considered by the committee so far include:

  • Staff brief with background information for committee members
  • Memos No. 1 and No. 2, topics and information for the second and third meetings

Study Committee on Occupational Licenses

Led by Sen. Stafsholt (R-New Richmond) and Rep. Sortwell (R-Two Rivers), this committee was tasked with reviewing the occupational licensing system administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and with recommending “legislation on current credentials that may be eliminated, on systems for review of new and existing occupational credentials, and on the issuance of reciprocal credentials.” The committee has heard testimony from policy experts, think tanks, and a variety of representatives of licensed professions. Key documents considered by the committee so far include:

  • Staff brief with background information for committee members
  • Memo No. 1, preliminary options relating to the processing of license applications and renewals
  • Memo No. 2, preliminary options for eliminating certain credentials, easing reciprocity, and creating review systems
  • Letter to the study committee from DSPS (October 14, 2022)

The committee’s fourth and final meeting has been scheduled for November 15.

Study Committee on Uniform Death Reporting Standards

Led by Sen. Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Rep. James (R-Altoona), this committee was tasked with reviewing “the current protocols for investigating causes of death and reporting death, and the uniformity of those protocols among counties.” The committee has heard testimony from professionals including medical examiners, funeral directors, and fatality review and prevention experts. Key documents considered by the committee so far include:

  • Staff brief with background information for committee members
  • Memos No. 1 and No. 2, information in response to committee requests
  • Memo No. 3, options for committee consideration

Three other JLC study committees have met throughout the summer and fall on the following topics: