Executive Session on Assembly Bills 310 and 311On Tuesday, September 15, the Assembly Committee on Health will be holding an executive session on Assembly Bill 310 and Assembly Bill 311. Assembly Bill 310 requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to apply, on an annual basis, for grants under Title X of the federal Public Health Service Act and to distribute funds received to the Wisconsin Well-Woman Program and public entities, including state, county, and local health departments and health clinics, and, if there are funds remaining, to certain nonpublic entities.
Assembly Bill 311 requires certain entities, when billing the Medical Assistance (MA) program for reimbursement of a prescription drug, to bill the actual acquisition cost of the prescription drug and the dispensing fee charged under the MA program. The bill targets family planning clinics, including several county public health departments, involved with the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
A number of counties have indicated concerns with both pieces of legislation. WCA continues to work on a potential amendment to Assembly Bill 311 that exempts local public health departments from the legislation.
Legislation Out for Co-Sponsorship on 17-Year-Old OffendersOn Wednesday, September 9, Senator Jerry Petrowski, along with Representatives Rob Hutton and Mary Czaja, sent a memo to legislative colleagues seeking co-sponsors for LRB-0771/5 that places first-time, non-violent 17-year-old offenders back in the juvenile justice system.
While WCA supports the intent of the legislation, the legislation fails to address the additional costs to counties for serving 17-year-old offenders. WCA staff continues to work with legislators to identify a funding source for the legislation. It is imperative that counties continue to discuss this legislation with their legislative delegations.
An Action Alert was sent to all county officials last week on this topic.To see the memo WCA sent to all legislators outlining county concerns with the bill as drafted, please click here.
WCA Annual Conference ResolutionsOn August 10, 2015, the WCA Resolutions Committee met to discuss the 26 resolutions received by the deadline for consideration at the Annual Business Meeting. The resolutions were emailed to all county clerks. A hard copy was also mailed to all county board chairs and county clerks.
Resolutions may be viewed by clicking here.Committee Hearings for the Week of September 14, 2015Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government. See a complete listing of weekly hearings here. Tuesday September 15, 2015Assembly Committee on TransportationAssembly Bill 322 - highway parking of motor vehicles owned by carsharing organizations.
WCA is monitoring this bill. Assembly Bill 306 - golf cart crossing points.
WCA is monitoring this bill. Senate Committee on Transportation and Veterans AffairsSenate Bill 224 - highway pavement markings.
WCA is monitoring this bill. Senate Bill 225 - golf cart crossing points.
WCA is monitoring this bill.
Senate Bill 235 - highway parking of motor vehicles owned by carsharing organizations.
WCA is monitoring this bill. Senate Committee on Labor and Government ReformSenate Joint Resolution 4 - deleting from the constitution the office of state treasurer.
WCA is monitoring this bill.
Senate Bill 5 - the provision by employers to employees of written disclosure statements of the terms of employment, the filing and investigation of wage claims, the statute of limitations for filing a wage claim action, the payment of interest, penalties, and surcharges on wage claims, occupational or professional licensing of employers that owe wages under wage claim judgments.
WCA is monitoring this bill. Wednesday September 16, 2015Speaker's Taskforce on Alzheimer's and DementiaThe Committee will hear invited testimony from the following organizations: Alzheimer's Association, Department of Health Services, and Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin.
Assembly Committee on State Affairs and Government OperationsAssembly Bill 297 - copying, making available, and required notices on, certain vital records.
WCA is monitoring this bill.Thursday, September 17, 2015Assembly Committee on JudiciaryAssembly Bill 308 - providing an exemption from civil liability for forcibly entering a vehicle under certain circumstances.
WCA is monitoring this bill.
For a listing of all bills impacting county government and WCA's positions on those bills, please visit the WCA website here.
September 20-22 - WCA Annual Conference
September 20 - WCA Annual Business Meeting
October 16 - WCA Board of Directors
November 4 - County Ambassador Program (CAP) Team Meeting