Wisconsin Legislative Spotlight

The Week of November 7, 2011

The most recent regular session legislative floorperiod ended November 3, but the September 2011 Special Session continued into the early morning hours of Friday, November 4. Governor Walker called the legislature into special session beginning on September 29 to consider legislation on a variety of topics, including economic development issues such as entrepreneurial and investment tax credits, tax incremental financing districts, and small business loan guarantees. The next scheduled floorperiod begins January 17, 2012.

September 2011 Special Session

The following September 2011 Special Session bills were passed by the Senate and concurred in by the Assembly, and will go to the governor:

Se11 Senate Bill 2 relating to small business loan guarantees by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.
Se11 Senate Bill 3 relating to film production services tax credit application fee.
Se11 Senate Bill 12 relating to factors for determining the reasonableness of attorney fees.
Se11 Senate Bill 14 relating to interest rates on judgments in certain civil actions.
Se11 Senate Bill 20 relating to changes to agricultural production loan guarantees administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.
Se11 Senate Bill 22 relating to the duty of care owed to trespassers.
Se11 Senate Bill 23 relating to various duties of the Department of Revenue.

Floor Action - October 18-November 3 Floorperiod

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 passed last week during the October 18-November 3 floorperiod include:

2011 Assembly Bill 265, making various changes in operational regulations for bicyclists.
2011 Assembly Bill 69, relating to the privilege of self-defense
2011 Senate Bill 116, moving the date of the September Primary.

You can view a complete list of enrolled proposals awaiting action by the governor on the Wisconsin Legislature Web site.

Special Election

On September 2, Governor Walker issued Executive Order 41, ordering a special election for the 95th Assembly District seat, formerly held by now-Senator Jennifer Shilling. La Crosse County Supervisor Jill Billings won a four-way Democratic primary on October 11. She faces Republican candidate David Drewes in the general election on November 8.

Recently Signed Into Law

As of November 3, 46 acts have been signed into law. You can find them here.

Committee Activity

Legislative committee activity is available on the Schedule of Committee Activities.

On November 7, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules will conduct a public hearing and executive session on permits for carrying concealed weapons. Testimony is limited to invited speakers.

Various Assembly, Senate, and Joint committees will meet on November 8 and November 10. The Assembly Committee on Insurance meeting on November 10 will include public hearings on bills relating to the Wisconsin Retirement System, coverage of abortion services, and dental services fees.

2011-2012 Blue Book

The 2011-2012 Wisconsin Blue Book is now available online. It may be ordered from the Department of Administration, Document Sales Unit (search Document Sales Catalog for "Wisconsin Blue Book"), (608) 266-3358. The price is $10.30 with shipping and $7.30 without. State Legislators are provided with complimentary copies to give to their constituents. You may contact your state senator or representative to ask about receiving one.