Study Committee Roundup

The Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement met on September 26, 2018, and heard from the Department of Revenue (DOR) on changes that the agency is undertaking in response to concerns raised by committee members. The committee also heard testimony regarding Illinois’ efforts to collect taxes on internet sales of alcohol and stop the illegal shipment of alcohol into the state. Committee members then discussed whether the committee should recommend legislation regarding enforcement of alcohol beverage regulations on internet sales of alcohol, unlicensed event venues, and restrictions on retail sales made by wineries and brewers. The committee will next meet on November 28.

The Study Committee on Bail and Conditions of Pretrial Release held its third meeting on Tuesday, October 16.  The committee heard presentations from Dr. Connie Kostelac, Bureau of Justice Information and Analysis, Wisconsin Department of Justice, and Spurgeon Kennedy, Vice President, National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies.  The committee members discussed memoranda regarding policy options prepared by Legislative Council staff and requested the preparation of several bill drafts for review at the November meeting.  The next meeting of the committee will be held on Tuesday, November 13.

At its third meeting, the Study Committee on Minor Guardianships discussed a committee bill draft that creates procedures specific to private guardianship of a minor and recommended a number of changes to the draft.  The committee will hold its final meeting on Thursday, November 29 to review the updated draft and discuss any remaining issues.

The Study Committee on Property Tax Assessment Practices met for a third time on October 9, 2018. The committee discussed several bill drafts and other ideas for potential legislation. General consensus was reached that the committee would like to see: (1) a revised version of a bill draft requiring taxpayers to disclose certain documents; (2) a new bill draft providing for cost sharing of certain expenses, including litigation expenses, across affected taxing jurisdictions; and (3) a new bill draft relating to procedures for challenging property tax assessments. Committee members from various perspectives expressed that those various process-focused changes might result in more accurate assessments and a fairer playing field for legal actions. The committee will meet next on December 11.

The Study Committee on the Identification and Management of Dyslexia met on October 23 to discuss two bill drafts and three draft recommendations. Members considered several changes to the bill drafts and discussed the recommendations. The committee reached consensus on proposed changes to a draft creating a dyslexia specialist position in the Department of Public Instruction. There was also consensus on changes to a draft creating a guidebook for dyslexia and related conditions. The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for December 4.

The Study Committee on the Investment and Use of the School Trust Funds held its third meeting on October 11, 2018. The committee received testimony from the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board regarding its trust fund management practices and the legislative steps that were required to allow for such practices. The committee also received testimony from Professor Susan Gary of the University of Oregon Law School regarding uniform trust laws; from Professor Mark Ready of the University of Wisconsin School of Business regarding the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) trust fund investment policy; and from the DOR regarding unclaimed property. The committee discussed its assignment, using an options memorandum drafted by Legislative Council staff as a starting point, and directed that draft legislation be produced to address certain issues faced by private lenders. The committee will meet again on November 14, to receive feedback from the BCPL staff regarding various other options for committee action and to continue discussion of its assignment.

The Study Committee on the Use of Police Body Cameras met on October 17 to review and discuss a committee bill draft which, among other things, establishes uniform procedures regarding the retention and release of body camera video for state and local law enforcement agencies.  The committee discussed and recommended a number of changes to the draft.  The committee will hold a final meeting on Tuesday, November 13 to review the updated draft and discuss any remaining issues.