Gov. Walker: Signs 41 Bills into Law and Issues Partial Veto

Senate Bill 704 expands protections for participants in the Department of Justice’s address confidentiality program known as “Safe at Home,” and creates a misdemeanor for intentionally disclosing confidential information under the program. Authored by Senator Fitzgerald (R—Juneau) and Representative Kleefisch (R—Oconomowoc), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 144.

Senate Bill 408 creates a crime for purchasing a firearm with the intent to transfer it to a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm, which is also known as “straw purchasing.” Authored by Senator Darling (R—River Hills) and Representative Sanfelippo (R—New Berlin), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 145.

Assembly Bill 527 makes changes to sign procurement. Authored by Senator Darling (R—River Hills) and Representative Knodl (R—Germantown), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 23-8. It is Act 146.

Assembly Bill 710 aligns criminal penalties for unemployment insurance fraud with penalties for retail theft and provides that multiple violations may be prosecuted as a single crime. Authored by Senator Kapenga (R—Delafield) and Representative Kerkman (R—Salem), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 62-35 and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 18-14. It is Act 147.

Assembly Bill 508 This bill generally prevents the Department of Workforce Development from authorizing an apprenticeship program that requires a ratio more than one journey worker for each apprentice and removes the statutory length of apprenticeship programs for plumbers and carpenters. Authored by Senator Kapenga (R—Delafield) and Representative Hutton (R—Brookfield), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 60-33 and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 18-14. It is Act 148.

Senate Bill 575 allows for pharmacists to dispense generic versions (interchangeable biological product) of a biologic product under certain circumstances and if dispensed defines how the interchangeable product can be labeled and recorded. Authored by Senator Vukmir (R—Brookfield) and Representative Rohrkaste (R—Neenah), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 149.

Assembly Bill 636 makes changes to how county officers can be removed. Authored by Senator Olsen (R—Ripon) and Representative Brooks (R—Saukville), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 59-32 and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 150.

Senate Bill 301 expands the types of on-line summer classes that qualify for equalization aid. Authored by Senator Olsen (R—Ripon) and Representative Hebl (D—Sun Prairie), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 151.

Senate Bill 159 updates standards relating to nutritional education. Authored by Senator Olsen (R—Ripon) and Representative Petryk (R—Eleva), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 152.

Assembly Bill 326 requires the Department of Workforce Development to permit minors 15 years of age or older to be employed as lifeguards. Authored by Senator Olsen (R—Ripon) and Representative Kooyenga (R—Brookfield), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 78-14 and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 153.

Senate Bill 604 updates state law to meet IRS requirements for background checks for employees accessing federal tax information. Authored by Senator Marklein (R—Spring Green) and Representative Kooyenga (R—Brookfield), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 154.

Senate Bill 599 makes changes to the Agricultural Producer Security Program, which is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Authored by Senator Marklein (R—Spring Green) and former Representative Ripp (R—Lodi), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 155.

Assembly Bill 897 This bill provides for the elimination of certain foreign corporation filing fees. Authored by Senator Marklein (R—Spring Green) and Representative Zimmerman (R—River Falls), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 32-0. It is Act 156.

Senate Bill 399 makes various changes in the unemployment insurance law, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. Authored by Senator Nass (R—Whitewater) and Representative Kulp (R—Stratford), the bill passed the Senate on a vote of 33-0 and was concurred by the Assembly on a vote of 94-0. It is Act 157.

Assembly Bill 330 specifies that if a commission or board has not taken any action to use its rule-making authority in 10 years, its rule-making authority is rescinded. Authored by Senator Nass (R—Whitewater) and Representative Neylon (R—Pewaukee), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 61-31 and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 158.

Senate Bill 466 prohibits the DNR from including the Sheboygan Kohler-Andrae air monitoring site in the state’s monitoring network plan and requires DNR to request a waiver relating to the state implementation plan. The bill provides that if EPA rejects a submitted plan that excludes the Kohler-Andrae monitor, the DNR is allowed to submit a revised plan that includes the use of the Kohler-Andrae monitor for approval. Authored by Senator LeMahieu (R—Oostburg) and Representative Kremer (R—Kewaskum), the bill passed the Senate on a vote of 18-14 and was concurred by the Assembly on a vote of 58-35. It is Act 159.

Assembly Bill 681 provides that any drug containing Dextromethorphan, (DXM) which is common ingredient found in over-the-counter cough medicine, may not be sold at retail to a person under 18, unless that person has a prescription. Authored by Senator Stroebel (R—Saukville) and Representative Kremer (R—Kewaskum), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 160.

Assembly Bill 663 provides that guaranteed asset protection (GAP) waivers may be offered and sold in connection with the credit sale or lease of a vehicle and that GAP waivers are not insurance. Authored by Senator Craig (R—Town of Vernon) and Representative Peterson (R—Waupaca), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 161.

Assembly Bill 715 would allow a foreign trust company that has been issued a Certificate by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions-Division of Banking to conduct business as a fiduciary through a branch office or place of business in Wisconsin. Authored by Senator Craig (R—Town of Vernon) and Representative Jarchow (R—Balsam Lake), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 162.

Senate Bill 69 authorizes the operation of a motorboat towing a person on water skis, aquaplane, or similar device, without having a second person in the boat to observe the person being towed, if the motorboat is equipped with a mirror that provides the operator with a wide field of vision to the rear. Authored by Senator Moulton (R—Chippewa Falls) and Representative Jarchow (R—Balsam Lake), the bill passed the Assembly on a 63-29 vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 163.

Assembly Bill 599 prohibits the DNR from reversing a determination that a stream or portion of a stream is non-navigable if certain criteria are met. Authored by Senator Moulton (R—Chippewa Falls) and Representative Quinn (R—Barron), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 62-35 and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 18-14. It is Act 164.

Senate Bill 84 grants terminally ill patients access to investigational treatment options that are in the process of obtaining FDA approval but are not yet available on pharmacy shelves. Authored by Senator Moulton (R—Chippewa Falls) and Representative Snyder (R—Schofield) the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 165.

Senate Bill 435 allows an emergency medical services responder, who, in the course of responding to a call for service encounters a domestic animal that is sick or injured, to render first aid if the service is in the comparable human scope of practice of the license of the responder. Authored by Senator Cowles (R—Green Bay) and Representative Considine (D—Baraboo), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 166.

Assembly Bill 821 expands on current exceptions to public contract letting to allow for an improvement that is constructed by a private person and donated to the local government after the completion of construction. Authored by Senator Cowles (R—Green Bay), Representatives Macco (R—Ledgeview), and Representative Brooks (R-Saukville), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 167.

Senate Bill 420 allows a minor to be employed without a child labor permit by a family business, as defined in the bill. Authored by Senator Marklein (R—Spring Green) and Representative Novak (R—Dodgeville), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 168.

Assembly Bill 464 increases from three feet to ten feet the maximum height at which a person may set or operate a trap or device built or used to capture birds on a pole, post, tree stump, or any other elevated perch if the person holds a valid migratory bird depredation permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Authored by Senator Petrowski (R—Marathon) and Representative Edming (R—Glen Fora), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 169.

Senate Bill 246 changes the definition of a “motor vehicle salvage dealer” to include a scrap metal processor or scrap metal dealer who acquires a motor vehicle for scrap or salvage and motor vehicle salvage dealer to acquire a vehicle whose certificate of title identifies a holder of a security interest if they pay the obligation in full. Authored by Senator Petrowski (R—Marathon) and Representative Schraa (R—Oshkosh), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 170.

Assembly Bill 314 allows hunting from a mechanized lift attached to a motor vehicle. Authored by Senator Petrowski (R—Marathon) and Representative Spiros (R—Marshfield), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 171.

Senate Bill 135 creates a standard punishment by revoking the driver’s license of a repeat OWI offender after the fourth OWI, or after the second OWI in combination with two other serious OWI-related offenses such as injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle or second-degree reckless homicide involving a vehicle. Authored by Senator Wanggaard (R—Racine) and Representative Spiros (R—Marshfield), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 84-10 and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 172.

Senate Bill 541 expands the administrative subpoena process to include hotels as possible recipients of administrative subpoenas, and to include human trafficking crimes as violations for which an administrative subpoena may be issued. Authored by Senator Wanggaard (R—Racine) and Representative Kleefisch (R—Oconomowoc), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 173.

Assembly Bill 414 creates a crime for underage sexual activity and provides a criminal penalty. Authored by Senator Wanggaard (R—Racine) and Representative Kleefisch (R—Oconomowoc), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 174.

Senate Bill 473 creates a system for alerts for missing veterans who have service-related health conditions. Authored by Senator Testin (R—Stevens Point) and Representative Kleefisch (R—Oconomowoc), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and was concurred by the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 175.

Assembly Bill 869 would create a non-refundable tax credit for the development of low-income housing in Wisconsin. Authored by Senator Testin (R—Stevens Point) and Representative Summerfield (R—Bloomer), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 32-0. It is Act 176.

Senate Bill 404 creates, for student entrepreneurs, an exemption to the $130 initial filing fee for articles of organization to form a limited liability company. Authored by Senator Testin (R—Stevens Point) and Representative Edming (R—Glen Fora), the bill passed the Senate on a vote of 31-0 and was concurred by the Assembly on a vote of 94-0. It is Act 177.

Assembly Bill 625 requires for the Departments of Workforce Development, Health Services and Public Instruction to promote competitive integrated employment of people with disabilities. Authored by Senator Tiffany (R—Hazelhurst) and Representative Edming (R—Glen Fora), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 178.

Assembly Bill 820 will establish procedures for temporary closure of sport shooting ranges to determine whether a safety hazard exists. Authored by Senator Tiffany (R—Hazelhurst) and Representative Stafsholt (R—New Richmond), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 21-11. It is Act 179.

Assembly Bill 260 makes changes to laws governing chiropractors, including allowing them to perform medical examinations for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; allowing them to delegate services to other licensed health professionals; and modifying certain administrative rules relating to scope of practice. Authored by former Senator Lasee (R—De Pere) and Representative Wichgers (R—Muskego), the bill passed the Senate on a voice vote and concurred in the Assembly on a voice vote. It is Act 180.

Assembly Bill 451 requires Wisconsin courts to recognize and enforce civil domestic violence protection orders issued by Canadian courts. Authored by Senator Risser (D—Madison) and Representative Tusler (R—Harrison), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 181.

Assembly Bill 461 requires the Department of Natural Resources to treat a terminally ill individual who is participating in a hunting-related event sponsored by a charitable organization as a resident for purposes of determining his or her eligibility for, and cost of, obtaining hunting approvals. Authored by Senator Moulton (R—Chippewa Falls) and Representative Milroy (D—South Range), the bill passed the Assembly on a voice vote and was concurred by the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 182.

Assembly Bill 547 as amended, makes changes to the wetland permitting process, creates a grant program for restoration of certain wetlands, and creates a wetlands study council. Authored by Senator Roth (R—Appleton) and Representative Steineke (R—Kaukauna), the bill passed the Assembly on a vote of 58-39 and was concurred by the Senate on a vote of 18-14. It is Act 183.

Assembly Bill 539: Governor Walker also signed Assembly Bill 539 with a partial veto. The Governor’s veto message is here. Assembly Bill 539 as amended, makes changes related to the supervised release and representation of sexually violent persons. Authored by Representative Krug (R—Nekoosa) and Senator Testin (R—Stevens Point), the bill passed the Assembly 89-5, then passed the Senate on a voice vote. It is Act 184.