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Wisconsin Legislative SpotlightMaintained by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), this page provides an overview of recent and upcoming activities in the Wisconsin Legislature. The LRB revises its content weekly during legislative floorperiods. Links to more detailed information are highlighted in the text. |
The current floorperiod began on Tuesday, October 20, and continues through Thursday, November 5. The schedule of floorperiods for the 2009-2010 Legislative Session was established by 2009 Senate Joint Resolution 1.
The 2009-2010 Wisconsin Blue Book has been published. The Blue Book is available online and will be available for purchase from the Department of Administration’s Document Sales office as soon as a price is set.
On Monday, October 19, Rep. John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac) announced he will not seek reelection to the Assembly next year. He has served in the Assembly for 12 years.
2009 Assembly Bill 511, which requires a person arrested for a felony or a juvenile taken into custody for certain sexual assault offenses to provide a biological specimen for DNA analysis, was introduced on October 20. 2009 Senate Bill 336, introduced on October 8, is substantially similar to AB-511. This legislation is also known as “DNA Saves.”
2009 Senate Bill 359, which directs schools to provide instruction about the recent history of the Hmong people, was introduced on October 20 and was referred to the Committee on Education.
2009 Assembly Bill 495, which proposes to change the composition of the Natural Resources Board, was introduced on October 15. A public hearing was held on October 21.
2009 Assembly Bill 492, related to inattentive driving, was introduced on October 13. Among its provisions is the creation of a third form of inattentive driving in the statutes, prohibiting a person from driving a motor vehicle while operating or being in a position to directly observe any electronic device located within the vehicle that is activated and that is transmitting information or providing entertainment primarily by visual means, regardless of whether the device interferes with the safe driving of the vehicle.
2009 Senate Bill 208, which would create regulations for people who sell dogs, was recommended for passage by the Senate Committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection. The committee adopted Senate Substitute Amendment 1 and Senate Amendment 1 to SSA1. On October 22, the bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Finance.
On October 13, the Assembly Committee on Public Safety held a public hearing on 2009 Assembly Bill 287, which proposes to increase the tax on fermented malt beverages. Video of the hearing can be found in the archive of WisconsinEye.
2009 Senate Bill 331, introduced on October 1, would prohibit persons who have committed certain serious crimes from providing child care. On October 14, the Senate Committee on Children and Families and Workforce Development recommended the bill for passage with 2 amendments. On October 22, the bill was referred to the Joint Committee on Finance. 2009 Assembly Bill 479, introduced on October 6, is substantially similar to SB-331.
The Assembly Committee on Public Health held a public hearing on Thursday, October 22, to discuss AB-496, related to prohibiting electronic text messaging while driving.
2009 Senate Bill 107, relating to the sale, disposal, collection, and recycling of electronic devices, was enrolled on October 21, and sent to the Governor on October 22.
2009 Senate Bill 299, relating to public disclosure of certain information when child abuse or neglect results in death or serious injury or involves aggravated circumstances of when a child in an out-of-home placement commits suicide or is sexually abused by a caregiver, was passed by a voice vote on October 20.
Among the bills scheduled to receive committee hearings this week are:
AB-512, relating to health insurance coverage of nervous and mental disorders, alcoholism, and other drug abuse problems.SB-236, relating to electronic filing of campaign finance reports.
SB-290, relating to changes in the regulation of boxing contests, regulating mixed martial arts fighting contests, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty.
For times and locations of other public hearings this week, see the Schedule of Committee Activities.
As of October 23, this session 49 bills have been passed by the legislature and signed into law.
A list of enacted legislation from the 2009 session can be viewed at: http://www.legis.wi.gov/2009/data/acts/.
DNA Databases : Does Expanding Them Threaten Civil Liberties? / Congressional Quarterly, Inc. CQ Researcher, 1999 (May 28, v.9, no.20). (call number: 346.92/C761a)
DNA Identification Database: Legality, Legitimacy, and the Case for Population-wide Coverage / D.H. Kaye & Michael E. Smith. Wisconsin Law Review (v.2003, no.3), p.[413]-459. (call number: 346.92/K18)
Forensic DNA Databases: Ramifications for Michigan / [prepared by James Durian and Denise Novak]. Michigan Legislative Service Bureau, Legislative Research Division, [2002], (Research report v.22, no.3). (call number: 346.92/M5)
RIN 1105-AB24, Proposed Rule, DNA-sample Collection Under the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 and the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. American Civil Liberties Union, Washington Legislative Office, [2008]. (call number: 346.92/Am3)
Why Arrestee DNA Legislation Can Save Indiana Taxpayers Over $60 Million Per Year / Jay Siegel and Susan D. Narveson. DNA Saves, 2009. (call number: 346.92/Si4)
For more information about Legislative Service Agency publications, see the left panel of the Spotlight index page.
Send comments to LRB.Reference@legis.wisconsin.gov
Last revised: October 23, 2009