This Week in the Legislature: February 10, 2014

Legislative Session Drawing to a Close?
With the legislative session winding down, a flurry of activity is occurring behind the walls of the State Capitol. A significant number of last-minute bills have been introduced, many with hearings and executive sessions following in subsequent days, with the hopes of making it on the floor in the next few weeks. Although the session schedule calls for the final floorperiod in April, some legislative leaders have expressed a desire for an early departure.

At the WCA Legislative Exchange last week, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos indicated his intent to adjourn the Assembly after its four scheduled session days in February and possibly an additional day in March. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald has indicated the Senate will be in session in February, March and April for regular session.

It appears that is not the only issue of disagreement between the Senate and Assembly. The chambers have yet to agree on the Governor's "Blueprint for Prosperity" plan. The Assembly is moving forward on the plan this week.

Two additional legislative retirements have been announced: Rep. Fred Clark (D- Baraboo) and Rep. Pat Strachota (R- West Bend).

Committee Hearings for the Week of February 10, 2014 
Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government.  For a complete listing of weekly hearings, visit here.

Tuesday, February 11 - 9:00 a.m. - Assembly Committee on Judiciary
  • Assembly Bill 737 - Requiring the Department of Transportation to contract for driver improvement course services, forwarding by courts of traffic violation convictions. WCA is monitoring this bill.
Wednesday, February 12 - 9:00 a.m. - Assembly Committee on Veterans
  • Assembly Bill 734 - Various changes to administrative rules governing the Department of Veterans Affairs. WCA is monitoring this bill.
Wednesday, February 12 - 9:30 a.m. - Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs
  • Senate Bill 574 - Energy emergencies and vehicle weight limits. WCA supports this bill.
  • Senate Bill 436 - Creating a statewide program to review child deaths. WCA supports this bill.
  • Senate Bill 160 - Training standards for law enforcement officers regarding domestic abuse incidents and complaints, and law enforcement reports following a domestic abuse incident. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 175 - Training standards for law enforcement officers regarding domestic abuse incidents and complaints, and law enforcement reports following a domestic abuse incident. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Senate Bill 373 - Law enforcement standards and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. WCA is monitoring this bill.
Thursday, February 13 - 11:00 a.m. - Senate Committee on Economic Development and Local Government
  • Senate Bill 454 - Short-term tax incremental districts and expenditure of tax increments for relocation of commercial or industrial enterprises. WCA opposes this bill.
  • Senate Bill 455 - Disseminating information about a tax incremental district's annual budget and value increment, requiring a political subdivision to evaluate a tax incremental district's performance, increasing the amount that a political subdivision may add to its levy upon the dissolution of a tax incremental financing district, and extending the life and expenditure period for certain tax incremental financing districts. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Senate Bill 456 - Expanding the definition of project costs to include certain cash payments with regard to a tax incremental financing district. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Senate Bill 516 - Local airports and the process for enacting aerial approach ordinances. WCA supports this bill.
For a listing of all bills impacting county government and WCA's positions on those bills, please visit the WCA website.

Assembly Calendar for Tuesday, February 11 - 1:00 p.m. 
Note:  Bills listed are of interest to counties.  For the full calendar, please click here:
  • Assembly Bill 593 - Rule-making procedures and repealing administrative rules relating to the estate tax and the county operating levy rate limit. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Calendar for Tuesday, February 11 - 11:00 a.m.

Note:  Bills listed are of interest to counties.  For the full calendar, please click here.
  • Senate Bill 203 - Requires the payment of health insurance premiums, and establishing a loan program, for survivors of a law enforcement officer, emergency medical technician, or firefighter who dies, or has died, in the line of duty. WCA opposes this bill.
  • Senate Bill 259 - Authorizes the creation of a Fox Cities regional transit authority. WCA supports this bill.
  • Senate Bill 414 - Objecting to property tax assessments. WCA has no position on the bill as amended.
  • Senate Bill 501 - Agricultural emergency permits issued by the DOT for vehicles transporting oversize loads. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 558 - A Law Revision bill resolving an ambiguity relating to carrying a firearm in certain public buildings. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 559 - A Law Revision bill affecting the Department of Transportation. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 560 - A Law Revision bill affecting juries in criminal cases and contents of registers of officials. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 566 - A Law Revision bill affecting the Department of Children and Families. WCA is monitoring this bill.
  • Assembly Bill 567 - A Law Revision bill affecting access to public records. WCA is monitoring on this bill.
Upcoming WCA Legislative Meetings 
  • February 19: WCA County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
Questions? Contact Our Government Affairs Team  
If you have any questions about any legislative items, please feel free to contact any member of WCA's Government Affairs Team at 866.404.2700 or via email:

Kyle Christianson - Director of Government Affairs
Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf - Deputy Director of Government Affairs
David Callender - Government Affairs Associate
Daniel Bahr - Government Affairs Associate 
 
 
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