WEEK OF MAY 1, 2017
JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE TO START BUDGET DELIBERATIONS THIS WEEK

The Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) is set to begin deliberations on the 2017-19 state biennial budget this week with its first executive session scheduled for this afternoon. Last week the JCF announced its tentative meeting schedule:

    *    Monday, May 1
    *    Tuesday, May 9
    *    Thursday, May 11
    *    Tuesday, May 16
    *    Thursday, May 18
    *    Tuesday, May 23
    *    Thursday, May 25
    *    Tuesday, May 30

Information on today's executive session can be found here. 
TUNE IN ON MONDAYS! WEEKLY BUDGET WEBINARS NOW UNDERWAY

You can stay up-to-date on the JCF's budget actions affecting county government by participating in WCA's weekly budget webinars. Budget webinars will be held each Monday at 9:00 a.m.

The first weekly budget webinar was held today . 
To view the May 1, 2017 webinar, click here.

How to Sign Up
To join this FREE webinar, visit https://wicounties.adobeconnect.com/budget/ each Monday morning. This link will remain active throughout the budget process.  
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 1, 2017

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

Monday, May 1, 2017

Joint Committee on Finance, 2:00 p.m.
The Joint Committee on Finance will meet in Executive Session on the 2017-19 state biennial budget on the budgets of the following agencies:
*    Judicial Commission
*    Judicial Council
*    Circuit Courts
*    Court of Appeals
*    Supreme Court
*    Employment Relations Commission
*    Administration - Division of Gaming
*    Insurance
*    Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
*    Board on Aging and Long-Term Care
*    Environmental Improvement Fund

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Assembly Committee on Local Government, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 169 - the municipal treasurer's bond for tax distribution. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 139 - authorizing county clerks and clerks of court to copy certified birth certificates for certain purposes. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 229 - investment of surplus money by local units of government. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 253 - procedures related to a sale of foreclosed property by a sheriff or referee. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Committee on Rural Development and Mining, 1:00 p.m.
Assembly Bill 175 - identification and location information assigned to documents filed or recorded in the county register of deeds offices and registration of farm names by recording in the register of deeds office. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Committee on Transportation and Veterans Affairs, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 198 - weight limit exceptions for vehicles equipped with idle reduction technology or natural gas fuel systems. WCA opposes this bill.

Senate Committee on Economic Development, Commerce and Local Government, 12:00 p.m.
Senate Bill 123 - the municipal treasurer's bond for tax distribution. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Bill 131 - identification and location information assigned to documents filed or recorded in the county register of deeds offices and registration of farm names by recording in the register of deeds office. 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. 
FLOOR SESSIONS

Wisconsin State Assembly, Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 1:00 p.m.

Special Session Assembly Bill 3 - immunity from revocation of probation, parole, or extended supervision for certain controlled substance offenses. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Special Session Assembly Bill 5 - prevention and control of emergency and involuntary commitment for, and treatment programs and services for drug dependence. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 58 - requirements for law enforcement dogs that have bitten a person. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 115 - the authority of the departments of administration, children and families, workforce development, justice, and health services to allocate federal grant money for civil legal aid. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 116 - the creation of the Interagency Legal Aid Coordinating Council. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 123 - the information technology block grant program, the broadband expansion grant program, waiving certain fees and appraisals, and making appropriations. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 138 - the safe-ride grant program. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 160 - regulation of aquaculture and fish farms. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 234 - creating an interagency council on homelessness and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 235 - housing grants. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 236 - waiting lists for housing choice vouchers. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 76 - replacement, reconstruction, and transfer of an approved high capacity well, recommendation of special groundwater measures by the Department of Natural Resources, and metering requirements and grants for certain high capacity wells. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Wisconsin State Senate, Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 11:00 a.m.

Special Session Assembly Bill 1 - emergency administration of opioid antagonist to pupils and other persons. WCA supports this bill.

Special Session Assembly Bill 2 - treatment and diversion programs and making appropriations. WCA supports this bill.

 Special Session Assembly Bill 7 - grants to establish and expand graduate training in an addiction specialty and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Special Session Assembly Bill 8 - creating additional opioid treatment programs and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Special Session Assembly Bill 9 - addiction medicine consultation program and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Special Session Assembly Bill 11 - mental health training program and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 15 - various changes regarding administrative rules and rule-making procedures and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 148 - personal delivery devices and providing a penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 59 - terminology change and corrections for emergency medical technicians and first responders. WCA is monitoring this bill.
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS
  • July 13 - County Organization and Personnel Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Judicial and Public Safety Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Health and Human Services Steering Committee
  • July 14 - Taxation and Finance Steering Committee
  • July 17 - Agriculture, Environment, and Land Use Steering Committee
  • July 17 - Transportation and Public Works Steering Committee
  See a complete listing of upcoming WCA meetings here.
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?

wispolitics
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 anything happening at the state level, please feel free to contact any member of the WCA 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