Assembly Health Committee

 This week the Assembly Committee on Health held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 95, Assembly Bill 96, and Assembly Bill 116.  Public hearings are held to gather information on bills that are introduced before voting on them in a committee executive session.

• AB 95 - Relating to ambulance staffing and emergency medical personnel
• AB 96 - Relating to emergency medical services funding assistance and making an appropriation
• AB 116 - Relating to reimbursement of wheelchairs and power mobility devices for recipients of Medical Assistance who reside in a nursing home

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

Assembly Children and Families Committee

In my last update, I mentioned my testimony on AB 142 and 143.  Wednesday, these bills were voted on in the Assembly Committee on Children and Families and both passed unanimously. 

• AB 142 - Relating to immunity from liability resulting from good faith actions under the child abuse and neglect reporting law

 This Bill makes a couple additions to the current law in Wisconsin regarding good faith immunity relating to Child Protective Services (CPS) reports.  These additions are required for Wisconsin to continue receiving federal funding.  The specific additions are:

1. Adds that immunity extends to persons who, in good faith, assist in medical examinations of a child or expectant mother, and 
2.  Adds that immunity extends to persons who, in good faith, otherwise provide information, assistance, or consultation in connection with a report, investigation, or legal intervention.

 Wisconsin received $1.5M in CAPTA funding in 2019 and is required to come into compliance with this provision by September 30, 2021.

• AB 143 - Relating to Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs) and granting rule-making authority

In 2018, the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) was passed.  FFPSA alters the type of congregate care settings that are eligible for Title IV-E child welfare funding.  QRTPs are the only type of congregate care setting eligible for Title IV-E funding under FFPSA.  Wisconsin must enact provisions that will allow for the creation of QRTPs to preserve the opportunity to claim federal Title IV-E funding for congregate care placements after September 29, 2021.  Wisconsin received $8.2M in 2019 and $8.3M in 2020 for Title IV-E congregate care placements.  

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

Assembly Campaigns and Elections Committee

 On Wednesday, the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections held an informational hearing to gather more information on the 2020 election.  In this hearing, the Committee listened to testimony from Meagan Wolfe, the Administrator for the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC).  She gave the Committee further information about some of the decisions WEC made during the election cycle.

 Press Conference

On Tuesday, I took part in a press conference with my colleagues, Representatives Callahan, Snyder, and Spiros.  Wisconsin is slated to receive $3.2 billion in federal stimulus funding from the Amerian Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Governor Evers has 90% control over where these funds will be spent.  This press conference was held to discuss the Republican Caucus' spending priorities for these funds, including important areas the Governor overlooked in his proposal. 

Budget Listening Session

 I have scheduled my second budget listening session.  This will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 30 at the 2nd Street Community Center (211 E. 2nd Street, Marshfield, WI) in the CC-Wein Classroom.  Representative Born, Co-char of the Joint Committee on Finance, will also be attending this listening session. 

 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.

Happy Easter

I hope everyone enjoys their Easter weekend!

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.