WEEK OF JANUARY 22, 2018
GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES SPECIAL SESSION ON WELFARE REFORM

Last Thursday, Governor Scott Walker called for a special session of the Wisconsin State Legislature to pass Wisconsin Works for Everyone welfare reform legislation. The package is sponsored by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senator Chris Kapenga.

The special session call includes 10 pieces of legislation:
  • LRB-5218/5282 - Relating to: pay for success contracting, establishment of pay for success trust fund, and making an appropriation.
  • LRB-5207/5276 - Relating to: creating a pilot and permanent program for making periodic payments to eligible recipients of the earned income tax credit and making an appropriation.
  • LRB-5217/5279 - Relating to: payments based on performance for Wisconsin Works and FoodShare employment and training program contractors.
  • LRB-5214/5258 - Relating to: required hours of participation in the FoodShare employment and training program.
  • LRB-5213/5286 - Relating to: statewide FoodShare employment and training program requirement for able-bodied adults.
  • LRB-5222/5287 - Relating to: asset restrictions on eligibility for FoodShare, Wisconsin Works, and Wisconsin Shares.
  • LRB-5216/5288 - Relating to: requiring child support compliance in the Medical Assistance Program.
  • LRB-5223/5289 - Relating to: require drug screening, testing, and treatment and employment screening of and employability plans for residents in public housing.
  • LRB-5246/5290 - Relating to: creation of a savings account program in the Medical Assistance program.
  • LRB-5280/5281- Relating to: photo identification cards for FoodShare recipients.
See the Governor's press release here.
GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON OPIOID ABUSE RELEASES REPORT
 
Last Friday, Governor Walker issued two Executive Orders addressing the opioid crisis in Wisconsin. The orders follow the release of a second round of recommendations set forth by the Governor's Task Force on Opioid Abuse.

See the Governor's press release here.  
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
 
The Governor will deliver his State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 3:00 p.m.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR SESSION

Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 1:00 p.m.

Assembly Bill 117 - allowing district attorneys, deputy district attorneys, and assistant district attorneys to engage in the private practice of law for certain civil purposes. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 355 - neglect of a child and providing criminal penalties. WCA opposes 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 618 - audits performed by the Legislative Audit Bureau. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 636 - removal of certain county officers. WCA supports this bill.

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 659 - increasing a political subdivision's levy limit upon the subtraction of territory from a tax incremental financing district. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 664 - obtaining evidence of the termination of certain property interests of a decedent. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 688 - 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 supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 690 - authorizing counties to conduct foreclosure sales using an Internet-based auction. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 691 - eligible bidders at foreclosure sales, eligible purchasers of foreclosed property, and providing a penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 716 - municipal welcome signs in the highway right-of-way. WCA is monitoring this bill. 
SENATE FLOOR SESSION

Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 11:00 a.m.

Senate Bill 48 - lead service replacement lines. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 226 - the authority for counties to enter into contracts to perform child protective services functions. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Bill 381 - complex rehabilitation technology for complex needs patients in the Medical Assistance program and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 394 - eliminating the Building Inspector Review Board and the Contractor Certification Council and requiring the Uniform Dwelling Code Council to review complaints regarding the inspection of one-family or two-family dwelling construction. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Bill 435 - the rendering of first aid to animals by emergency medical technicians or first responders. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 473 - alerts for missing veterans who have a service-related health condition. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 488 - using a tribal identification card for various purposes. WCA is monitoring this bill.   

Senate Bill 511 - audits performed by the Legislative Audit Bureau. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 534 - 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.   

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.

Assembly Bill 532 - one-call system enforcement and other requirements, Public Service Commission authority regarding state energy policy, settlements between parties in Public Service Commission dockets, various public utility regulatory requirements, the regulation of utility facilities under a county construction site erosion control and storm water management zoning ordinance, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 572 - the collection and maintenance of certain public library data by the Division for Libraries and Technology, authorizing small, rural libraries to apply for information technology block grants and educational technology training grants, and making appropriations. WCA is monitoring this bill. 
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 22, 2018

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

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Assembly Subcommittee on Local Government Taxes and Funding, 8:30 a.m.
The meeting will facilitate discussion among subcommittee members on matters and proposals relating to local government taxes and funding.

There will be no opportunity for public testimony at this meeting.

Advanced Notice: Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 702 - photo identification cards for FoodShare recipients. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Clearinghouse Rule 17-005 - drug testing for participants in the FoodShare Emp loyment and Training Program who are able-bodied adults. WCA is monitoring this rule.

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 9 - Taxation and Finance Steering Committee
  • March 16 - WCA Board of Directors
  • March 22 - County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
  • March 23 - Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
See a complete listing of upcoming WCA meetings here.
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?  

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 [email protected] 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
[email protected]

Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Deputy Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Dan Bahr, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Marcie Rainbolt, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Chelsea Fibert, Government Affairs Assistant
608.663.7188