CapitalSky
2015-16, No. 17
April 27, 2015

In this Issue:


Public Hearing on TIF Bills

Transportation on JFC's Agenda for Wednesday

Uber/Lyft Bill Sent to Governor

Legislative Luncheon May 13

Recently Introduced Legislation

Hearings on Municipal Bills

League of Wisconsin Municipalities
 
Ph:  (608) 267-2380
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 www.lwm-info.org  
 
Legislative Bulletin Archive 
 
Public Hearing Tomorrow on Two Remaining TIF Study Committee Bills

 

Tomorrow, the Senate Committee on Economic Development will hold a public hearing on the final two of eight bills recommended by the TIF Study Committee. SB 53, one of the bills to be heard at the 10:00 a.m. hearing, extends the life of a tax incremental district if the district's tax increment is adversely impacted by statutory changes, such as the buy down of the technical college tax rate last session. The other bill being heard, SB 55, extends the maximum amount of a community's equalized value that can be included in its TIF districts from 12 percent to 15 percent.  The League strongly supports both bills.

  

The Senate Economic Development Committee has already held public hearings on the other six TIF Study Committee bills.  Last week, the committee voted unanimously to recommend passage of SB 50, SB 54, and SB 57. Tomorrow, the committee is voting on SB 51, SB 52, and SB 56

 

Municipal officials should urge their legislators to support all eight TIF Study committee bills. More information about the bills is available on the Legislative Council's web site, here; and also on the League's Website, here.

Joint Finance Committee Delays Voting on Local Transportation Funding Issues


The Joint Finance Committee met last week but decided not to take up local transportation aids.  The committee had listed local transportation aids on last Wednesday's agenda, but then decided to postpone acting on it until the committee takes up the rest of transportation funding issues next month.   

Uber/Lyft Preemption Bill Sent to the Governor for his Signature 


Last week, the Senate passed by voice vote AB 143, establishing a statewide licensing program regulating Transportation Network Companies like Uber and Lyft.  The bill prohibits municipalities from regulating such businesses more stringently than the state.  For that reason the League opposes it.

 

The Assembly passed the bill earlier in April. The bill has now been sent to the Governor for his likely approval.  

Register now for the League's Legislative Luncheon -- May 13


All city and village officials are invited to attend the League's 2015 Legislative Luncheon in Madison on May 13.  The Luncheon will be held from 12:30-2:00 p.m. at Monona Terrace Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Drive. There is no cost for League members to attend the luncheon.

 

Assembly Majority Leader Rep. Steineke will speak at the luncheon as will a member of the state Senate. 

 

Municipal officials are encouraged to invite their state representative and senator to the luncheon. League staff has prepared sample invitations for you to use.

 

Register for the luncheon by clicking here: http://bit.ly/RSVPLobbyDay

Recently Introduced Legislation

AB 170/SB 132, Regulation of Electronic Cigarettes and other Vapor Products. Prohibits use of electronic cigarettes in schools, daycares and other locations.  Prohibits municipalities from imposing  more stringent regulations except that a municipality can prohibit their use in municipally owned buildings.  By Rep. Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Sen. Nass (R-Whitewater). The League opposes this  bill.  Send comments to League staff about this bill  
 
SB 137, Allowing Villages and Towns to Publish Certain Notices on the Internet. Allows villages and towns that opt to post a legal notice in lieu of
publication to instead of posting the notice in three public places, post the notice in one public place and publish the notice on the municipality's web site. (Note:  If a newspaper is published in the village, village board proceedings and village ordinances imposing a forfeiture must be published in that newspaper even if the newspaper is not designated as the official newspaper.)  By Sen. Marklein (R-Spring Green).  The League supports this bill. Send comments to League staff about this bill

 

Hearings on Municipal Bills 

SB 53, Extending the Life of TIF Districts When Statutory Changes Negatively Impact the Tax Increment.  By the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Commerce, Tuesday, April 28, 10:01 a.m., room 300 Southeast. The League supports this bill.  

SB 55, Increasing the Maximum Percentage of a Community's Equalized Value that can be Located in TIF Districts. By the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Commerce, Tuesday, April 28, 10:01 a.m., room 300 Southeast. The League supports this bill.  

AB 111Requiring Inspections of Certain Renovations of one-family and two-family Dwellings. By the Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate, Thursday, April 30, 10:01 a.m., room 400 Northeast. The League has not yet taken a position on this bill.