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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 is available for purchase from Department of Administration Document Sales for $8.75 plus sales tax if picked up in person; for mail orders, add $3 to the total to cover shipping.
On October 23, following his arrest earlier in the week for allegedly driving while impaired by prescription drugs, Representative Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls) announced that he will not seek reelection to the Assembly next year. He was first elected to the Assembly in 2002.
On October 27, Representative Stephen Nass introduced 2009 Assembly Resolution 14, calling for the expulsion of Representative Wood. Assembly Speaker Michael Sheridan announced the appointment of six representatives to a Special Committee on Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
Governor Doyle announced that the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has issued an emergency rule implementing a recent law that expands coverage under parents' health insurance policies to eligible young adults up to age 27.
Electronics recycling. 2009 Senate Bill 107, relating to the sale, disposal, collection, and recycling of electronic devices, was signed into law on October 23 and became 2009 Wisconsin Act 50
Invasive species. 2009 Senate Bill 123, relating to regulation of various aquatic plants and animals, was signed into law on October 28 and became 2009 Wisconsin Act 55.
2009 Assembly Bill 529 proposes enhanced penalties for securities fraud committed against persons age 65 or older.
2009 Assembly Bill 528 proposes to extend the coverage of laws relating to traveling sales crews to include nonprofits and political organizations that solicit contributions.
2009 Assembly Bill 523 would create a year-around exemption from sales and use tax for electricity and natural gas. The exemption under current law is November through April.
2009 Senate Bill 377 seeks to clarify Wisconsin law on possession of concealed weapons by current and retired law enforcement officers in light of federal law allowing it.
2009 Senate Bill 372 proposes to allow the use of student test scores in teacher evaluations.
2009 Senate Bill 368 would create a medical necessity defense for medical usage of marijuana.
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, which recommended the bill, with an additional amendment, on October 29.
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 2009 Assembly Bill 496, related to prohibiting electronic text messaging while driving.
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.
2009 Assembly Bill 281, to limit phosphorus content of household dishwasher detergent to 0.5% by weight, was concurred in by the Senate on October 27, after having been passed in the Assembly on June 26.
Other enrolled bills may be viewed by using the Enrolled Bills database in the "Searchable Infobase" section of the Wisconsin Legislature website.
For times and locations of public hearings this week, see the Schedule of Committee Activities.
As of October 30, this session 57 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/.
Bills proposing to regulate commercial dog breeders ("puppy mills") or persons who operate animal shelters or animal control facilities in Wisconsin continue to be deliberated by the legislature. The Legislative Reference Bureau has published two briefs on this issue:
Other information about puppy mills:
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: November 02, 2009