WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19, 2018
LINCOLN HILLS CLOSURE PLAN TO BE VOTED ON BY WISCONSIN STATE ASSEMBLY 

Last Thursday, Assembly Bill 953 was introduced and voted out of the Assembly Committee on Corrections. A joint public hearing was held with the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety on the same day.

In short, the bill requires the closure of Lincoln Hills School and Copper Lake School by July 1, 2020. More specifically, the bill:
  • Requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to maintain supervision over juveniles in the Serious Juvenile Offender Program, under community supervision, and under original adult court jurisdiction.
  • Transfers supervision over juveniles who are under any other correctional placement under the Juvenile Justice Code to counties.
  • Requires county boards to ensure there is sufficient space in a secured residential care center (RCC) for children and youth for all juveniles adjudicated delinquent and placed in a secure RCC.
  • Creates a Juvenile Corrections Study Committee to research and develop recommendations on the number and location of Type 1 facilities operated by DOC, rules governing the services and programs provided to juveniles in secure RCCs, and updating the administrative rules for juvenile detention centers.
  • Creates a Juvenile Corrections Grant Committee, which is required to establish and administer a juvenile corrections grant program, under which counties may apply for a grant to pay 95 percent of the costs of establishing or constructing secured residential care centers for children and youth.
WCA staff has been negotiating with the main authors on a series of changes to the bill, including the role of the current secure detention facilities offering 365/180 day programs, expanding the use of youth aids, county liability, maximum county administrative flexibility, etc.

A substitute amendment to the bill will be offered when the Assembly takes the bill up on Wednesday. It is uncertain what action the Senate may take on the legislation.

The bill, which is moving quickly at the end of the legislative session, represents a significant change to the juvenile justice system and county responsibility.

If you have any questions on the legislation, please do not hesitate to contact the WCA office at 866.404.2700.
END OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION 

This week marks the end of the legislative session for one house of the legislature. Leaders in the Wisconsin State Assembly plan to hold floor sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and then adjourn for the session.

The Wisconsin State Senate plans to be on the floor on Tuesday and one day in March.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR SESSIONS 

Tuesday, February 20 and Wednesday, February 21, 2018, 1:00 p.m.
Assembly Bill 90 - acts for which a juvenile may be placed in correctional placement or the Serious Juvenile Offender Program. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 585 - alerts for missing veterans who have a service-related health condition. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 594 - outdoor advertising signs that do not conform to local ordinances and that are affected by certain transportation-related projects. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 628 - referrals for subjects of alerts for missing adults and operator's license review. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 629 - uniform adult guardianship jurisdiction. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 630 - dementia specialist certification. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 632 - grants for Alzheimer's disease and dementia awareness and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 637 - using an electronic voting machine to cast a vote with an in-person absentee ballot. WCA opposes this bill.

Assembly Bill 642 - pretrial detention and denial and revocation of release. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 651 - modifying Department of Transportation rules relating to human services vehicles. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 654 - dispatcher assisted bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 655 - supported decision-making agreements. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 697 - limitation on animal-drawn vehicles and providing a penalty. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 731 - qualification of newspapers to receive compensation for publication of legal notice. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 732 - pilot program to provide outreach, support, and mental health and substance abuse services for veterans and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 821 - public contracting requirements and donated improvements. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 825 - battery of an officer of the court and providing a criminal penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 829 - discrimination based on arrest or conviction record under the fair employment law. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 836 - population standard for populous counties. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 848 - emergency outpatient mental health treatment for minors. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 855 - the operation and regulation of unmanned aircraft and providing a penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 876 - coverage of prescription eye drop refills. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 882 - the immobilization or removal, impoundment, and disposal of motor vehicles for multiple nonmoving traffic violations. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 884 - actions against certain third parties by injured employees under the worker's compensation law. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 898 - changes to vital records references and procedures. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 904 - commercial building code administration; county authority regarding certain buildings and safety requirements; carbon monoxide detection in commercial residential buildings; examination requirements for marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, and social work credentials; social worker training certificate term; and granting rule-making authority. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 905 - various changes to statutes administered by the Department of Safety and Professional Services and attached credentialing boards and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 906 - creating a law enforcement agency drug trafficking response grant program; positions to assist in prosecuting drug-related offenses; evidence-based programs for substance abuse prevention services for at-risk youth; victim impact panels; funding for family treatment courts; grants for county jails to provide nonnarcotic treatment before offender reentry; and making appropriations. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 907 - continuing education in prescribing controlled substances for certain health care practitioners; maintenance and detoxification treatment provided by physician assistants and advanced practice nurse prescribers; requiring school boards to provide instruction about drug abuse awareness and prevention; graduate training of psychiatric nurses; training materials for social services workers handling substance abuse-related cases; substance abuse counseling and modifying and creating administrative rules related to substance abuse-related cases; substance abuse counseling and modifying and creating administrative rules related to substance abuse counseling; granting rule-making authority; and making appropriations. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 912 - rural economic development programs administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, grants to other authorities and state agencies for purposes of rural economic development, and making an appropriation. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 953 - juvenile correctional facilities, youth aids, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 52 - time limit on a restrictive custody sanction under the Serious Juvenile Offender Program. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 53 - expungement of certain offenses committed before the age of 25 and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 54 - recommendation to revoke parole, probation, and extended supervision if a person is charged with a crime. WCA is monitoring 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.

Assembly Bill 517 (if available) - reporting on an operator license or identification card application the existence of a disability that is not apparent to another. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Thursday, February 22, 2018
Assembly Bill 748 - preventing the state or local governments from requiring any person to accept certain collective bargaining provisions or waive its rights under the National Labor Relations Act or state labor law; prohibiting local regulation of employee hours and overtime, employment benefits, wage claims and collections, an employer's right to solicit salary information of prospective employees, employment discrimination, and professions regulated by the state; and providing a criminal penalty. WCA opposes 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 466 - prohibiting the funding and use of the Sheboygan-Kohler-Andrae air quality monitor. WCA is monitoring this bill.
SENATE FLOOR SESSION 
 
Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 11:00 a.m.
 
Senate Bill 61 - forfeiture of property seized in relation to a crime. WCA opposes this bill.
 
Senate Bill 415 - reporting on an operator license or identification card application the existence of a disability that is not apparent to another. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Senate Bill 466 - prohibiting the funding and use of the Sheboygan-Kohler-Andrae air quality monitor. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Senate Bill 601 - conforming a floodplain zoning ordinance to a federal letter of map amendment. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Senate Bill 704 - address confidentiality, granting rule-making authority, and providing a criminal penalty. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Senate Bill 781 - actions against certain third parties by injured employees under the worker's compensation law. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 29 - practice requirement for licensure as a clinical social worker. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 30 - examinations for certification or licensure by the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work Examining Board and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 355 - neglect of a child and providing criminal penalties. WCA opposes this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 442 - all-terrain vehicle route signage. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 538 - transfer for emergency detention and warning of dangerousness. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 539 - plans for supervised release of sexually violent persons, representation of sexually violent persons by the state public defender, and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 547 - permitting and mitigation requirements for nonfederal and artificial wetlands and state assumption of the federal regulatory program governing the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 599 - determinations of navigability of a stream. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 716 - municipal welcome signs in the highway right-of-way. WCA is monitoring 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 is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 775 - the showing of a substantial likelihood that a parent will not meet the conditions established for the safe return of the child to the home in a termination of parental rights proceeding. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 776 - foster home licensing. WCA supports this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 778 - appellate procedure in proceedings related to termination of parental rights. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 779 - grant to organization to provide referrals to community-based services and making an appropriation. WCA supports this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 780 - notice to a school of a permanency review or hearing, notice to a school district of a foster home or group home license or out-of-home care placement, and transfer of pupil records. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 782 - limited release of mental health information to out-of-home care providers and child welfare agencies. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 784 - a parent's right to counsel in a child in need of protection or services proceeding, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. WCA supports this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 785 - funding for child abuse and neglect prevention grants. WCA supports this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 786 - the Court Appointed Special Advocates grant program and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
Assembly Bill 787 - funding for grants to support foster parents and foster children and making an appropriation. WCA supports this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 1 - required hours of participation in the FoodShare employment and training program. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 2 - statewide FoodShare employment and training program requirement for able-bodied adults. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 3 - asset restrictions on eligibility for FoodShare, Wisconsin Works, and Wisconsin Shares. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 4 - employment screening of and employability plans for residents in public housing. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 6 - payments based on performance for Wisconsin Works and FoodShare employment and training program contractors. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 7 - pay for success contracting, establishment of pay for success trust fund, and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 8 - requiring child support compliance in the Medical Assistance program. WCA is monitoring this bill.
 
2018 Special Session Assembly Bill 9 - creation of a savings account program in the Medical Assistance program. WCA is monitoring this bill.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19, 2018  

Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government. 


Monday, February 19, 2018


Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry, 12:00 p.m.
Assembly Bill 881 - notifying well owners and counties of certain water pollution violations, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. WCA supports this bill.

Assembly Bill 946 - producer led watershed protection grants and transferring moneys within the environmental fund. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 956 - requirements for siting wetland mitigation, wetland mitigation banks, and requiring the exercise of rule-making authority. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Committee on Mental Health, 3:30 p.m.
Assembly Bill 939 - trustees of Milwaukee County mental health facilities, Milwaukee County Mental Health Board vacancies, and the administrator of the behavioral health division. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Assembly Committee on State Affairs, 8:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 122 - forfeiture of property seized in relation to a crime. WCA opposes this bill.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Assembly Committee on Children and Families, 8:30 a.m.

Assembly Bill 954 - presumption and conclusive determination of paternity on the basis of genetic test results and orders that may be granted on the basis of genetic test results. WCA supports this bill.

Senate Committee on Transportation and Veterans Affairs, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 794 - condemnation power for bicycle lanes and pedestrian ways. WCA supports this bill.

See a listing of all bills impacting county government and WCA's positions on those bills by clicking here.
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS/EVENTS
  • 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
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 [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