Today the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released new revenue estimates, showing Wisconsin's general fund revenue is projected to be $911 million higher than previously anticipated.  These tax revenue figures far eclipse original projections, and open the door for additional tax relief and reforms this year.

This week, legislation designed to protect Wisconsin’s snowmobile program advanced through committees in both the Assembly and Senate. The Assembly Tourism Committee voted yesterday, January 15th, to pass AB 407 by a unanimous vote of 14-0. The Senate Workforce Development and Tourism Committee voted on Monday, January 13th to pass the companion version, Senate Bill 343, also on a unanimous vote of 9-0.

I authored this legislation because of its critical importance to our northern communities. So far this winter, we have had above average snowfall and overall favorable conditions for snowmobiling – and our local businesses are experiencing the positive results. More visitors are coming to the northwoods, and generating the economic activity that is sorely missed in years with little to no snow. To protect Wisconsin’s snowmobile industry, we must ensure there is adequate funding for trail maintenance and grooming, new infrastructure and bridge repair, and keep the volunteer tradition strong which does so much to provide for our local trails.

Both AB 407 and SB 343 are awaiting full votes by the state Assembly and Senate. I am hopeful the bills will receive a vote this spring session.
 

This week I introduced a new bill designed to address concerns with Wisconsin’s CCAP (Consolidated Court Automated Program) system.  CCAP is used by the court system to display case information online, including both civil and criminal cases.  By some estimates, this site receives between 3 million and 5 million hits per day.  It is an important tool in Wisconsin’s justice system.

However, in recent years, the Internet and other rapid changes in technology have raised new concerns about privacy.  I have heard from many individuals across the state, who have dealt with the difficulty of removing charges from CCAP, in instances where they were found not guilty or the charge was dismissed.  Many times this leads to ramifications in their personal lives, and causes struggles on jobs applications, rental agreements, and other instances where public information is accessed.

In an effort to address the difficult balance between protecting personal privacy vs. the public’s interest in court records, I joined with Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) to draft a bill that would remove cases that have been dismissed or found not guilty from CCAP’s internet site, Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA).

The bill has two primary goals:

1. Remove a case or charge involving a civil forfeiture or misdemeanor from WCCA within 90 days after being notified that:
     • The case or charge has been dismissed.
     • The defendant has been found not guilty of the charge.
     • The case or charge has been overturned on appeal and dismissed.

2. Remove a case or charge involving a felony from WCCA within 120 days after being notified that:
     • The case or charge has been dismissed.
     • The defendant has been found not guilty of the charge.
     • The case or charge has been overturned on appeal and dismissed.

The legislation will receive an official bill number and be referred to committee in the coming days.

H.O.P.E. Legislation to Address Wisconsin Heroin Problem

During legislative session this week, the Assembly passed a package of 4 bills designed to address the growing heroin epidemic in our state. The “H.O.P.E.” or Heroin Opiate Prevention and Education legislation was authored by my colleague Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette), who shared his family’s personal story that inspired this effort.

The four bills passed by the Assembly include:

     • AB 445, ID for Prescription.  The bill requires individuals to show proper identification
        when picking up certain narcotic/opiate prescription medications and keeps a record.
     • AB 446, Naloxone for Overdoses.  The bill allows those who are properly trained to
        administer naloxone, a drug used to counter the effects of an opiate overdose. This allows
        an overdose to be counteracted quickly, hopefully saving lives.
     • AB 447, 911 Good Samaritan.  The bill grants limited immunity for an individual who
        calls for help for someone who overdosed on a controlled substance.
     • AB 448, Drug Disposal Program.  The bill promotes the safe disposal of unused
        prescription and over-the-counter medications by allowing local governments to establish
        community drug disposal programs.

All four bills passed 96-0, and will now head to the state Senate for passage.