In Session

  The State Assembly passed 7 bills and 3 resolutions on Tuesday.  Assembly Bill 7 and Assembly Bill 34 were passed by a vote of 94-0 and 92-0 respectively.  Assembly Bill 63, 120, 124, 125, and 148 all passed by a voice vote.  Additionally, Assembly Resolution 12, 13, and 18 also passed by a voice vote.

• AB 7 - Relating to pharmacy benefit managers, prescription drug benefits, and granting rule-making authority

• AB 34 - Relating to coverage of individuals with pre-existing conditions and benefit limits under health plans

• AB 63 - Relating to the practice of psychology, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority

• AB 120 - Relating to third-party logistics providers, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority

• AB 124 - Relating to dentists administering certain vaccines

• AB 125 - Relating to regulation of physician assistants, creating a Physician Assistant Affiliated Credentialing Board, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty

• AB 148 - Relating to state response to COVID-19 related to health services and practice of health care providers licensed outside of this state

• AR 12 - Observing February 28, 2021, as Rare Disease Day in Wisconsin

• AR 13 - Recognizing the week of February 22 to 28, 2021 as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in Wisconsin

• AJR 18 - Proclaiming the month of March 2021 as American Red Cross month in Wisconsin

 Nine more bills and three resolutions were passed by the State Assembly on Wednesday.  They were all passed by a voice vote with the exception of Assembly Bill 121 which passed by a vote of 88-5, and Assembly Joint Resolution 12 by a vote of 56-35.  

• AB 27 - Relating to making various changes to statutes administered by the Public Service Commission and requiring investor-owned energy utilities to fund a consumer advocate  

• AB 29 - Relating to the governor's bear tag

• AB 30 - Relating to modifying administrative rules relating to the use of wood to contain bear bait or feed in logs or stumps

• AB 32 - Relating to the retail sale of intoxicating liquor by the glass for consumption away from the licensed premises 

• AB 53 - Relating to shotshell restrictions and the hunting of fur-bearing animals

• AB 57 - Relating to regulation of home inspectors, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority

• AB 98 - Relating to battery by a person detained while awaiting trial as a sexually violent person and providing a penalty

• AB 118 - Relating to full-time open enrollment to attend a fully virtual program offered by a nonresident school district during the 2021-22 school year

• AB 121 - Relating to practicing hair braiding without a license. 

• AR 11 - Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day on March 17, 2021

• AJR 12 - Honoring the life and commemorating the career and accomplishments of Rush Limbaugh

• AJR 15 - Declaring March 7, 2021 to March 14, 2021, as Women in Construction Week and celebrating the wide-reaching contributions of women in construction.

For your information, if you click on the bill number you will be able to read the bill in its entirety. 

Assembly Education Committee

 On Thursday, the Assembly Committee on Education heard testimony from The Department of Public Instruction on Clearinghouse Rule 20-071, relating to alternative completion standards for educator preparation programs.  The Committee took no immediate action.  Additionally, the Committee held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 122, relating to micro-schools, and passed Assembly Bill 59, 62, and 119 out of committee.

• AB 59 - Relating to applications for the full-time open enrollment program in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years and the family income requirement for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program in the 2021-22 school year
• AB 62 - Relating to participation in interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities and school district membership in an interscholastic athletic association in the 2021-22 school year
• AB 119 - Relating to applications for full-time open enrollment

 For your information, if you click on the bill number you will be able to read the bill in its entirety. 

Memory Lane Farm

Spreading a Legacy of Love...

Martin Wolf and his wife Lucille, along with their family, call their farm their home for over 65 years, retiring from dairy farming in 1995.  The Marshfield (Wood County) farm was then transformed into an agri-tourism venue for thousands of guests who enjoyed the farm’s pumpkins patches, corn mazes, petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides, and sleigh rides for nearly twenty years. As a result of many guests’ fond recollections and memories of growing up in the country, the Wolf’s rebranded the farm name to Memory Lane Farm (MLF). In 2013, Martin and Lucille retired from agri-tourism to set their sights on new ventures. 

In 2015, another life-long dream revealed itself for Martin. This vision aligned perfectly with that of his daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Doug Zarnke. The three independently believed that the farm could be repurposed beyond agri-tourism for something deeper and life-giving for children, adults, and families.  The goal was to provide opportunities to inspire, support, and encourage youth to explore the wonders of nature, agriculture, and animals.

AgriVenture Farm Camp was developed and launched in 2017 for kids (grades 3-6) to experience a hands-on, farm-based learning experience.  Camp proved to be a wonderful catalyst to observe the educational, emotional, and restorative needs of youth, adults, and families in our community.  Camp is held for six-evenings to allow parents to volunteer while their campers participate in a variety of activities; such as woodworking, gardening, natural resources, farm animals, arts and crafts. On the final evening, family members are invited to join camp for Family Night at the farm. Campers show off what they've learned, play games, participate in demonstrations, while making time for community connections.  Currently, the camp runs annually in June, over a two-week period with two-hour sessions each evening, taking place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings.  The cost is affordable; however, scholarships are available through MLF's partnership with the Marshfield Area United Way, and other generous donors.  AgriVenture Farm Camp is a volunteer-based program and all help is greatly appreciated.  If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the form found here. 

Due to the interest in camp and other farm-based programming, non-profit status for Memory Lane Farm, Inc. was established in March 2019.  The mission of Memory Lane Farm, Inc. is to provide opportunities for all ages to enhance lives through learning, exploring, and self-discovery. "We are thrilled to see how many people have already benefited from the farm activities, and we are excited at what the future holds for generations to come," noted Martin.

2020 presented many opportunities at the farm, including creating an individualized mentoring program called "Cultivating Hope".  The one-on-one mentoring program is intended to build confidence, improve social skills, and help youth, adults, and families learn how to deal with different emotional struggles.  The program takes place year-round and consists of weekly, 90-minute sessions.  Sessions are focused on individual goals set by the participants/parents which can include areas such as the development of social skills, anger management, fears, anxiety, etc.  Activities include light chores, working with goats and horses, gardening, woodworking, assisting with projects, time in nature, and crafts. Due to the nature of the mentoring program, participants are referred to MLF by Wood County, mental health counselors/therapists, teachers, pastors, and other professionals. While Cultivating Hope is not considered counseling/therapy, the activities are very therapeutic in nature. Volunteers are also needed to assist in activities and mentoring. 

To learn more about Memory Lane Farm's programs and how to get involved, contact Beth Zarnke at memorylanefarm86@gmail.com or visit their website at https://www.memorylanefarm.us/.  

Budget Listening Session

 Reminder: My first listening session is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th from 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Owen City Hall (833 3rd street, Owen WI).  This will be a joint listening session with Representative James.  We look forward to gathering input from our constituents on the 2021-23 biennial budget.  

 Additionally, the Joint Committee on Finance has announced their Budget Road Show for this session.  These will be larger listening sessions with the members of the Joint Committee on Finance and will take place at:

•  UW-Whitewater in Whitewater (Friday, April 9)
• The Hodag Dome in Rhinelander (Wednesday, April 21)
• UW-Stout in Menomonie (Thursday, April 22)
• Virtual (Wednesday, April 28)

 If you would like to submit comments to any of these events please submit them to Budget.Comments@legis.wisconsin.gov. 

Contacting My Office

My Capitol office is here to help you with general inquiries as well as questions and concerns regarding legislative matters. Feel free to contact Dylan, my Legislative Assistant, or me. We are always ready to assist you with your needs. Please visit my website for press releases and other Capitol updates.