July 27, 2012

Committees Focus on Complex Issues

The Legislature works in two year cycles, however the typical legislative session only lasts about sixteen months.  So while some might think everything shuts down and legislators go into campaign-mode for the remainder of the time, that’s not always the case.  In fact, once the regular session ends, a new interim committee process begins, where complex – and sometimes controversial – issues receive greater scrutiny from lawmakers and the public. 

Each summer in an even-numbered year, the 22-member Legislative Council Committee, which I am a member, approves a number of legislative study committees, which are made up of both legislators and non-legislators, who may have a particular expertise in a field of study.  The bi-partisan committees meet on specific, in-depth topics during the summer and fall months, and review and discuss ways in which to better address a problem, or continue the work of an unresolved problem in the law. 

These committees generally take on a topic or issue that needs more time for review than does a typical bill in a lawmaking session.  The study committee process is open to the public, and many times, the ideas and eventual solutions to an issue are drafted into legislation for consideration in the next legislative session.  However, any proposal offered by a study committee may not advance unless first approved by a majority of the full Legislative Council Committee.  It is an arduous process, but allows lawmakers and the public the ability to delve deep into a difficult issue area. 

At present, ten Legislative Study Committees are meeting to discuss the following topics and make potential recommendations to the Legislature:

911 Communications.  This committee will review 911 public safety communications and develop legislation to improve the system.  

Improving Educational Opportunities in High School.  The committee will review and craft legislation to enhance opportunities for both lower and higher achieving students in high school.  

Income Tax.  This committee will offer recommendations regarding Wisconsin’s income tax code and tax reform.  

Law Revision.  The committee will review remedial legislation based on recommendations by agencies, court decisions, and opinions of the Attorney General.

Legal Interventions for Persons with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias.  This committee, which I have been appointed to, will review and develop legislation to clarify the law regarding guardianship, protective placement, involuntary commitment, and involuntary treatment as they apply to vulnerable adults with a dementia diagnosis.

Permanency for Young Children in the Child Welfare System.  The committee will study current law relating to permanency for children under the age of eight who are placed or at risk of being placed outside of their home. 

Reporting of Child Abuse and Child Neglect.  This committee will conduct a recodification of Wisconsin’s child abuse and child neglect reporting requirements.  The committee will also study the reporting of suspected abuse of students at institutions of higher learning.

Review of Emergency Detention and Admission of Minors Under Chapter 51. The committee is directed to review the appropriateness of, and inconsistencies in, the utilization of emergency detention procedures across this state.

State-Tribal Relations.  This committee will study issues relating to American Indians and the American Indian tribes, and develop recommendations and legislative proposals relating to those issues.

Supervised Release and Discharge of Sexually Violent Persons.  The committee will review the process for granting supervised release and discharge of persons who have been committed as sexually violent persons.  

As the legislative session is cyclical, the interim period is a helpful time for study committees to focus their attention on these complex issues.   For more information on the legislative study committees, visit the Legislative Study Committee Web site at http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lc/committees/study/2012, or contact my office anytime. 

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Sen. Kedzie can be reached in Madison at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882 or by calling toll-free 1 (800) 578-1457.  He may be reached in the district at (262) 742-2025 or on-line at www.senatorkedzie.com