2023-2024 Legislative Session

June 5, 2023 | Number 5

Federal Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

President Biden and Speaker McCarthy reached a debt limit deal Memorial Day weekend, known as the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The legislation, passed the House on May 31 and the Senate on June 1. The act was signed into law by the President on Saturday, June 3rd. President Biden stated that "No one got everything they wanted, but the American people got what they needed." 

Our Federal partner, the National League of Cities has developed a summary of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, but the most important piece for local governments is that although the legislation rescinds some pandemic relief funds not yet used by federal agencies, also called “unobligated.” These funds do not include funding in the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program distributed to states, cities, villages, counties and towns. These funds are safe, whether the state or local government has already expended the funds or is still planning how to invest them in the community.

PFAS UPDATE

The League has identified PFAS and all the municipal costs associated with the remediation as a legislative priority. MONDAY, JUNE 5th the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee will hold a public hearing on SB 312 which includes a Municipal PFAS Grant Program to provide grant funding for the following activities:

• many forms of municipal testing,
• biosolids disposal,
• capital costs or debt service on infrastructure in small communities or those that will see utility rates increase by more than 20 percent,
• capital costs not otherwise paid from the existing clean water fund or safe drinking water loan program.

There are several other provisions in the bill and $125 million in funding was provided by the Joint Finance Committee through the budget process for these programs if the bill is enacted into law.

While there are areas where the League would like to see the bill amended, we thank the bill authors Senator Cowles, Senator Wimberger, (Chair and Co-Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee) and Representative Swearingen, and Representative Mursau for their leadership in this important municipal area.

⭐To view the hearing at 11:00 am on Monday, June 5th please see Wisconsin Eye.

⭐To watch live coverage of the Joint Finance Committee as they take action on the 2023-2025 Budget see Wisconsin Eye.

RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION

of Municipal Importance

Almost half way through the year below is a continuing summary of the 2023-2024 Legislative proposals the League is monitoring.

AB 283/SB 278, Special Election costs for Counties and Municipalities. This bill requires the Elections Commission to reimburse counties and municipalities for certain costs incurred in the administration of special primaries and special elections for state office. By Senator Jacque and Representative Sortwell. The League supports this bill.

AB 295/ SB 285 and AB 296 /SB 287, both bills deal with the state of EMS in Wisconsin. AB 295 relating to youth apprenticeship program and career and technical education grants, by Senator Jacque and Representative Moses increases the $1,100 youth apprenticeship grant to $1,700 and doubles the $1,000 incentive to train high schoolers in Fire/EMS. AB 296 by Senator Jacque and Representative Mursau requires health insurance companies to reimburse EMS directly for all emergency medical services that are provided by the emergency medical services provider and covered by the health benefit plan. The League supports both of these bills.

AB 292/SB 289, Notice of Changed Assessment by Email. This bill requires the assessor to also send the notice by email if the taxpayer's email has been filed with the assessor. In addition, the bill requires that the assessor send the notice of changed assessment 30 days, rather than 15 days, prior to the meeting of the board of review or board of assessors. By Senator Quinn and Representative Allen. The League is reviewing this bill.

Email questions or comments to:

Toni Herkert, Government Affairs Director, therkert@lwm-info.org or

Katie Scott, Government Affairs Specialist, kscott@lwm-info.org