November 15, 2005
REGENT RESOLUTION ALLOWS TERMINATION CLAUSES IN CONTRACTS
The UW Board of Regents unanimously passed a resolution allowing a six-month termination clause for new administrators not qualifying for tenure. UW System President Kevin Reilly reported that the six-months notice would take 976 of 1,092 administrators out of backup positions. The remaining 116 continue to belong to chancellors and provosts under the statutes.
The board also agreed to review a policy of fixed-term contracts and liquidated damages as a long-term solution to the job security issues for new administrative staff. Further discussion on fixed-term contracts will take place at the board's December meeting.
GOVERNOR VETOES CLONING BILL THAT RESTRICTED STEM CELL RESEARCH
As expected, Governor Doyle has vetoed Assembly Bill 499. The bill prohibited human cloning and cloning of human cells for research. The announcement took place at the Biotech Center here and featured embryonic stem cell pioneer Dr. Jamie Thomson. The Governor’s veto message is available at: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=5302
SENATE APPROVES BILL HELPING UW RESEARCH ENTREPRENEURS
The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 338 which would streamline the process to get start-up technology to the marketplace. The bill is now in the Assembly and scheduled for a public hearing and possible vote December 13 in the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee. State Representative Andy Lamb (R-Menomonie) is the Assembly author of the bill.
REP. TOWNS APPOINTED TO BUILDING COMMISSION
Following long time State Building Commission member State Representative Dan Vrakas’ (R- Delafield) election as Waukesha County Executive, Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) appointed State Representative Debi Towns (R-Janesville) to fill Vrakas’ spot. Rep. Towns’ district includes UW-Whitewater and UW-Rock County and is a chairperson of the Assembly Education Committee and a member of the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee.
SPECIAL ELECTION SET TO FILL VACANT ASSEMBLY SEAT
Governor Jim Doyle set the date for a special election to fill the vacancy in the 33rd Assembly District created by the election of State Representative Dan Vrakas (R-Delafield) to Waukesha County Executive. A primary election will be held on December 13, 2005 if necessary, and the general election for the open seat will be held on January 10, 2006.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Senate Bill 414 - Tuition Remissions
Senator David Zien (R-Wheaton) has introduced legislation that extends tuition remissions to include children and spouses of ambulance drivers, correctional officers, emergency medical services technicians, fire fighters, and law enforcement officers who develop a permanent work-related disability (qualifying disability) and forced to retire or reduce his/her work assignment and later dies from the qualifying disability. This bill is awaiting a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, Military Affairs, Small Business and Government Reform.
Assembly Bill 819 - UW- Madison Law School Requirements
Representative Marlin Schneider (D- Wisconsin Rapids) has introduced legislation that directs the University of Wisconsin Law School to require students to successfully complete a six to eight credit clinical practicum in order to receive a degree. The requirement first applies to students receiving a degree in 2009. The bill is awaiting a public hearing in the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee.
LEGISLATION CIRCULATING
LRB-4026/1- Nursing school faculties
Representative Gregg Underheim (R- Oshkosh) is circulating legislation that prohibits the Board of Nursing from requiring that more than 75 percent of the faculty at nursing schools hold master’s or doctoral degrees in nursing.
For the complete text of all bills and their current status, please visit
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/ab_list.html (Assembly bills) or http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/sb_list.html (Senate bills).
For more information on state related issues contact,
Kristi Thorson or Don Nelson
Assistant Directors, State Relations
608/262-8967