Update on current legislation

Late last week, the regular session of the 2009-10 legislative session came to a close. Following is a status update on various issues that many of you have provided input on over the past couple of weeks:

Failed to pass – Voter Registration/Election Reform – Senate Bill (SB) 640 and Assembly Bill (AB) 895 – Overhauling our elections and voter registrations systems to allow for Internet voter registration, an early voting system, permanent absentee ballots, use of campus dorm lists as official voter lists and many other provisions.

Failed to pass – Global Warming – SB 450 and AB 649 – Dramatically expanding government rules and regulations to reduce emissions from factories and automobiles and making many other regulatory changes.

Passed – Renewable Energy – SB 273 – Allowing new “light pipe” technology and solar water heaters to be included in Wisconsin’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. I served as a co-author of this bill.

Failed to pass – Protecting Children in Daycare – AB 413 – Authorizing a judge to impose a five-year imprisonment penalty enhancer if a licensed day care provider intentionally commits abuse against a child in their care. I served as a co-author of this bill.

Passed – Food Product Recycling – SB 268 – Adjusting current regulations to recognize the differences between traditional rendering and a specific process that converts meat waste to pet food. This will be used at a local business to create as many as 30 new jobs in Manitowoc County. I was the author of this bill.

Passed – Improving the CIP Program – SB 96 – Giving Medical Assistance-eligible seniors who would otherwise be forced to reside in a nursing home the option to live with more freedom in a less costly community-based assisted living-type facility. I was the author of this bill.

Failed to pass – Fox Valley RTA – AB 734 – Authorizing cities within the Fox Valley to hold referenda to create a Fox Cities Regional Transit Authority that could have the authority to impose up to a 0.5 percent sales tax in its area.

Passed – Raw Milk Sales – AB 434 – Allowing for a raw/ unpasteurized milk pilot program ending on Dec. 31, 2011, for the limited sale of raw milk under specified conditions and subject to specified regulation. I served as a co-author of this bill.

Failed to Pass – Snowmobile Registration – SB 406 – Makes several changes to Wisconsin’s snow mobiling laws, including a provision that would allow for a lower registration fee if you are a member of snow mobile club.

Passed – Race-Based School Mascots – SB 25 – Providing that a school district resident may object to the use of a race-based name, nickname, logo, or mascot by that school district by filing a complaint with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The state superintendent will have sole authority make the determination.

Passed – School Reform – SB 437 – Authorizing the state superintendent to direct a local school district to implement a new curriculum or instructional design, make personnel changes or adopt accountability measures.

If you have a specific legislative bill that you have been following and are unsure of its outcome, please contact me and I will provide you with an update on whether or not it was passed. You may also visit the legislature’s homepage on the Internet at www.legis.wi.gov.

As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling (888) 295-8750, writing to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882, or by e-mailing me at Sen.Leibham@legis.wi.gov. You can also logon to the 9th Senate District online office at www.leibhamsenate.com.

It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the state Senate.