Maintained 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. Links to more detailed information are highlighted in the text.
The current floorperiod began on September 13, and will end on September 22. No meetings of either house are currently scheduled. The January special session is ongoing and special session bills may be taken up in the interim.
The Senate and Assembly met on September 13 to take action on a number of bills.
Presidential Preference Primary. Senate Bill 115 passed the Assembly by a vote of 65-32 . The bill moves the presidential preference primary from the 3rd Tuesday in February to the first Tuesday in April during presidential election years. The bill passed the Senate on June 8 on a voice vote.
Small Business Board. Senate Bill 47 makes changes to the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and to rule-making affecting small businesses. The bill increases the number of small business members on the board from six to seven, and eliminates representatives from executive agencies. The bill also changes the process related to administrative rules that effect small businesses, requiring a state agency to forward a rule having an economic impact on small businesses, and requiring administrative rules to make considerations for small businesses. The Assembly passed the bill, with one amendment, on a voice vote.
Emergency Communications from Legislators. Assembly Bill 32 would remove the prohibition on a legislator using public funds for communicating with constituents during the nomination period of an election if it occurs during the 45-day period following an emergency declaration by the governor and if the communication relates to that emergency. The bill passed the Assembly 91-6 and has been messaged to the Senate.
CDFI Tax Credit. Assembly Bill 211 would allow the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to certify a person who makes a qualified investment in a registered community development financial institution (CDFI) to receive a credit against state income and franchise taxes. The bill passed on a vote of 92-5, after the adoption of 4 amendments. It has been referred to committee in the Senate.
DNR Permit Time Limits. Assembly Bill 177 relates to expediting time limits for applications to DNR for projects near navigable waters. Under the bill, DNR has a shorter period of comment and public hearing time, and would be required determine if an application is complete within 30 days, or, if DNR does not act within the time allowed, the project is considered approved. The Assembly passed the bill on a vote of 65-32, after a substitute amendment was adopted by a vote of 61-36. The bill is now in the Senate.
Misuse of Disabled Parking Cards. Assembly Bill 81 would increase the fines for misuse of disabled parking cards issued by the the Department of Transportation. The bill passed unanimously. It has been referred to committee in the Senate.
Joint Resolutions. The Assembly passed Joint Resolutions 54 and 47, relating to commendation of the 10th Ford Iron Man competition, and the 100th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin, respectively. The Senate subsequently concurred in both proposals, as well as AJR-17, recognizing Black History Month. The Senate passed Joint Resolutions 37 and 39, declaring October 1st as "Clay Matthews AIDS Walk Wisconsin Day" and commending Gateway Technical College on its 100th anniversary. The Assembly also concurred in both resolutions. It also passed Assembly Resolution 11, proclaiming October Italian-American Heritage Month.
No September 22 Meeting. The Assembly refused to withdraw Resolution 12 from committee, which called for a special order of business on September 22 to take up bills related to employment.
On Friday, September 2, Governor Walker issued Executive Order 41, which orders a special election for Jennifer Shilling's 95th Assembly District seat on November 8. A primary will be held on October 11 if necessary.
On August 9, Chris Taylor was elected to the 48th Assembly District in a Special Election. The resulting partisan composition of the Assembly is 59 Republicans, 38 Democrats, 1 Independent, and 1 vacancy.
As of September 16, 44 acts have been signed into law. You can find them at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/related/acts.
The Legislature has RSS feeds for both recently introduced legislation and recent session activity. Our Facebook page also has links to recently introduced bills. Bills recently introduced in the legislature include:
Legislative committee activity is available on the Schedule of Committee Activities. Committees to meet this week include the Assembly Committees on Transportation, Health, Criminal Justice and Corrections, and Public Health and Public Safety, and the Senate Committee on Energy, Biotechnology, and Consumer Protection. All will hold public hearings on proposals.
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 19, 2012