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Wisconsin Legislative SpotlightMaintained by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), this page provides an overview of recent and upcoming activities in the Wisconsin Legislature. The LRB revises its content weekly during legislative floorperiods. Links to more detailed information are highlighted in the text. |
With the signing of the biennial budget on June 29, the most recent legislative floorperiod has concluded. The next floorperiod will commence on September 15. The schedule of floorperiods for the 2009-2010 Legislative Session was established by 2009 Senate Joint Resolution 1.
On July 17, 2009, Governor Doyle announced that the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo will build assembly and maintenance facilities in Wisconsin as part of a $47.1 million contract to purchase 2 commuter trains. The company is considering sites in Milwaukee, Janesville, and possibly Kenosha. On August 4, the Joint Committee on Finance voted 11 to 4 to issue $47.1 million in bonds to buy the trains from the Spanish train manufacturer. Section 85.06 (2) (b), Wisconsin Statutes, allows the state to buy passenger trains without competitive bidding.
SB-249, introduced on August 5, relates to popular election of technical college district boards. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Technical Colleges, and Consumer Protection.
SB-252, introduced on August 5, relates to the duty to stop at the scene of, and to report, a motor vehicle accident. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources.
SB-255, introduced on August 11, relates to notification of default and mediation regarding residential real property subject to foreclosure. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections, Insurance, Campaign Finance Reform, and Housing.
SB-258, introduced on August 11, relates to using results of standardized examinations to evaluate teachers. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Education.
SB-261, introduced on August 11, relates to the deployment of high-speed Internet services. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Rural Issues, Biofuels, and Information Technology.
SB-264, introduced on August 11, relates to trespass by operators of snowmobiles, ATVs, and other off-road vehicles. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources.
SB-266, introduced on August 11, relates to creating a Nonmotorized Recreation and Transportation Trails Council. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Forestry, and Natural Resources.
AB-367, introduced on August 12, relates to prohibiting employment discrimination based on credit history. It was referred to the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development.
AB-369, introduced on August 12, relates to requiring the Commissioner of Insurance to submit a report on the social and financial impact of any health insurance mandate before it can be voted on or hearings held by the legislature. It was referred to the Assembly Committee on Insurance.
AB-370, introduced on August 12, relates to requiring certain information about land purchased with stewardship funding and JFC approval of certain activities and projects receiving stewardship funding. It was referred to the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
Among the bills scheduled to receive committee hearings this week are:
SB-30, relating to underage persons possessing, consuming, or being provided alcoholic beverages on licensed premises when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse.
AB-193, relating to the privilege of self defense (“Castle Doctrine”).
AB-269, relating to causing injury to a law enforcement officer while resisting or obstructing an officer or while attempting to flee.
AB-353, relating to restoring the right to vote to certain persons barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction and changing the information required on voter registration forms.
The LRB Library staff recommend these sources for background information on the governor's power of appointment with respect to the Department of Natural Resources:
1) Crane and Hagensick's Wisconsin Government and Politics. McGraw-Hill, 2004. 8th ed. (354/W7d/2004)
2) Wisconsin Conservation Priorities, 2009-2010 / Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters. (p. 21, Recommendation: Restore Conservation Integrity)
3) "State Officers Appointed by the Governor, as Required by Statute" (from the 2007-2008 Wisconsin Blue Book)
4) The Appointment Power of the Governor in Relation to Senate Confirmation: Does Wisconsin Need a Change? / Kenneth L. Sanderson. Thesis--UW-Madison, 1966. (354.43/Sa5) (Available for use only in the library)
The Legislative Reference Bureau recently issued the following publications:
The LRB is on Twitter
You can now access updates from the LRB on Twitter, including information on new LRB publications, new acquisitions by the LRB Library, general information about the legislature, and the current legislative session. To find the LRB on Twitter, go to: http://twitter.com/WILRB.LRB Podcasts
The LRB has also released a Podcast about the LRB state documents collection and one about Conflict in the Wisconsin Legislature.
Recent Publications by Other Legislative Service Agencies
Two Informational Bulletins were also issued by the LRB as companions to the 2007-2008 Wisconsin Blue Book: Informational Bulletin 07-1, “A Study Guide to the 2007-2008 Wisconsin Blue Book,” and Informational Bulletin 07-2, “Inside the 2007-2008 Wisconsin Blue Book.”
Study guides for the 2009-2010 Wisconsin Blue Book will be available after that edition is published this fall.
Send comments to LRB.Reference@legis.wisconsin.gov
Last revised: August 14, 2009