WEEK OF JANUARY 1, 2018
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 
Happy New Year to all! With the start of the new year is the start of the end of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session. Legislative activity will be picking up over the next several weeks as legislators work to forward their proposals prior to the end of the legislative session. Although the session is not officially scheduled to end until mid-late March, many are anticipating a much earlier end to the session.
APPOINTMENTS

Last week, State Representative Keith Ripp was appointed Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. His appointment is effective January 1, 2018. State Senator Frank Lasee has been appointed as Division Administrator for Worker's Compensation in the Department of Workforce Development. His resignation from the Senate was effective December 29 at 5:00 p.m. Both offices will remain vacant for the remainder of the legislative session.
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate President Roger Roth invited the governor to deliver his State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 1, 2018

Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government.  See a complete listing of weekly hearings here.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 641 - building and plumbing plan review and variances by cities, villages, towns, and counties for public buildings and places of employment and affecting related rules of the Department of Safety and Professional Services. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 607 - nonprobate transfers of real estate, the transfer by affidavit procedure for small estates, and the payoff amount in a mortgage payoff statement. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 770 - workforce housing development tax incremental districts; local fees and charges; local levy limits; subdivision approval conditions; plat approval conditions; expiration of certain project approvals; division of land by certified survey map; erosion control and storm water management; limiting certain local regulatory authority; relocation benefits in condemnation proceedings; and zoning ordinance amendments. WCA opposes this bill.

Assembly Committee on State Affairs, 1:00 p.m.
Assembly Bill 576 - using a tribal identification card for various purposes. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Assembly Committee on Rural Development and Mining, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 731 - qualification of newspapers to receive compensation for publication of legal notice. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 604 - fingerprinting and conducting background investigations of employees in the state civil service or of a political subdivision, and of individuals performing contractual services for the state, who have access to federal tax information. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 435 - the rendering of first aid to animals by emergency medical technicians and first responders. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 442 - prostitution crime surcharge and making appropriations. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy, 12:00 p.m.
Senate Bill 648 - establishing a Wisconsin conservation corps program, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing exemptions from emergency rule procedures, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS/EVENTS
  • January 24 - Mining 101
  • February 6-7 - 2018 WCA Annual Legislative Exchange
  • March 2 - Health and Human Services Steering Committee
  • March 16 - WCA Board of Directors
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?  

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As a member-benefit, the Wisconsin Counties Association offers access to The Wheeler Report, WisPolitics, and WisconsinEye.

If you would like to subscribe to any one of these news services, please contact Amy Dias, Office Manager at dias@wicounties.org or at 866.404.2700.
QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about any legislative items, please feel free to contact any member of WCA's Government Affairs Team.

Kyle Christianson, Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
christianson@wicounties.org

Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Deputy Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
diedrick@wicounties.org

Dan Bahr, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
bahr@wicounties.org

Marcie Rainbolt, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
rainbolt@wicounties.org

Chelsea Fibert, Government Affairs Assistant
608.663.7188