December 16, 2011  E-Update    

Helpful Wisconsin Links






Unsubscribe

If you would like to unsubscribe from Representative Ballweg E-Update, please click here.

 

Assembly Bill 421

Natural Resources Chairmen Amend DNR Regulatory Reform Bill

Legislators Make Changes in Response to Public Input


State Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) joined State Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) in making changes to a bill streamlining DNR permitting programs affecting Wisconsin waterways and piers. The chairmen plan to hold a vote on the amendment next week.

“People looked at the original bill, made their comment and we now have tailored it accordingly,” Mursau said. “After 10 hours of testimony and a month of follow up conversations, people will look at this bill and see their concerns were taken seriously and addressed.”

The special session on jobs began in September and was closed Thursday. Following closure, Mursau and Kedzie re-introduced the special session bill as a regular session bill (AB 421).

Some of the major changes include:

  • Deleting changes related to dredging of lakebed material

  • Deleting new DNR timelines for high-capacity wells, prospecting, and oil, gas exploration and presumptive approval for failure to meet those timelines

  • Incomplete permit application - the substitute amendment deletes that and instead requires DNR provide specific reasons for denials.  If a denial is based on an incomplete application, DNR shall specify to applicants the areas on the application which were incomplete

    If you have any questions about this legislation or any other legislation that is being introduced, please don't hesitate to contact our office.

Toll free Public Assistance Fraud and Abuse Hotline

Those who suspect anyone of fraudulent activity in public assistance programs should call the Office of the Inspector General Fraud Hotline free of charge at 1 877 865 3432.

The Office of the Inspector General will investigate fraud tips for any type of abuses of public resources such as:

  • Billing Medicaid for services/equipment not provided

  • Filing a false application for a DHS-funded assistance program such as Medicaid, BadgerCare Plus, WIC or FoodShare

  • Trafficking of FoodShare Benefits

  • Crime/misconduct/mismanagement by a DHS employee/official or contractor

Governor Walker signed Senate Bill 96

Earlier this year the state senate and assembly passed Senate Bill 96 by a wide bipartisan margin, this legislation helps balance the manufacturer-dealer relationship.

Specific provisions of this bill include:

  • Protecting dealers from unreasonable site and facility upgrade demands made by manufacturers

  • Protecting the privacy of customer financial information

  • Updating the manufacturers' financial obligations to reimburse dealers for inventory and other investments made at the manufacturers insistence if the dealership is terminated without cause by the manufacturer

"By empowering Wisconsin Automobile dealers and giving certainty to auto manufacturers, we are encouraging this sector of our economy to continue to create jobs," said Governor Walker.  "I am pleased this bill received widespread bipartisan support and would like to thank State Senator Joe Leibham and Representative Joan Ballweg for their willingness to provide leadership on this pro-jobs legislation."

Bill Signing at WATDA meeting at Madison Marriot West on December 7, 2011

 

State Capitol - Room 210 North | Post Office Box 8952 | Madison, Wisconsin 53708
(608) 266-8077 | Rep.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov