November 28, 2005
SENATE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER BILL REMOVING TAA BARGAINING RIGHTS
The Senate Committee on Labor and Election Process Reform is scheduled to hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 317 which would remove collective bargaining right for program, project and teaching assistants. The hearing is set for Tuesday, November 29 at 11 a.m. in room 400 Southeast of the capitol. The bill is authored by Senator Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis).
The effect of the bill would eliminate the rights of student assistants at UW System schools to self-organize into collective bargaining units and would eliminate any units already in place. The bill was initially referred to the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee but was moved to the Labor and Election Process Reform Committee which is chaired by the bill’s author.
SAME SEX MARRIAGE BAN INTRODUCED, SET FOR HEARING IN SENATE, ASSEMBLY
Last Week, Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Representative (R-New Berlin) introduced Senate Joint Resolution 53 and Assembly Joint Resolution 67 which requires recognized marriages in Wisconsin is between one man and one woman. SJR 53 and AJR 67 are scheduled for a public hearing and possible vote at a joint Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy and the Assembly Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, November 29 at 9 a.m. in room 411 South of the capitol.
The resolutions are constitutional amendments that are up for second consideration in the Legislature. Last session, both resolutions were approved by the Legislature and must be approved again before going to a statewide ballot for consideration by the voters. The resolutions must be passed by May 2006 for the questions to be included on the November 2006 ballot.
CONCEALED WEAPONS BILLS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE
Assembly Bill 763, authored by Representative Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford), and Senate Bill 403, authored by Senator Dave Zein (R-Chippewa Falls), are scheduled for a vote by the Joint Committee on Finance, Wednesday, November 30 at 10 a.m. in room 412 East of the capitol. Both bills have been approved by their respective Assembly and Senate committees.
The bills would authorize the carrying of concealed weapons, require background checks for handgun purchases and the issue of photo ID cards for retired law enforcement officers. The bills were not amended in either committee; however, possible exemptions to the proposed law are expected to be considered by the Finance Committee.
ASSEMBLY FORMS AVIAN FLU TASK FORCE, HEARING SET
Assembly Speaker John Gard (R-Peshtigo) has appointed Representatives Kitty Rhoades (R-Hudson) and Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) to head up a task force to discuss Avian Flu. The first meeting of the task force is scheduled for Tuesday, November 29 at 1:30 p.m. in room 328 Northwest of the capitol.
The informational session is the first of a series of meetings the task force will hold. The first meeting will feature experts from UW-Madison and UW-Extension presenting information on the risks, transmission mechanisms, potential impact, treatment, public education efforts and state reaction to an outbreak of Avian Flu in humans and animals.
The presenters at the hearing include Dr. Dennis Maki who will discuss the potential for human transmission and public health issues; Dr. Rob Porter with an overview of the potential impact on poultry and wildlife; Ron Kean, a UW Extension poultry specialist translating Avian Flu research into public education and information and finally, Pat Walsh, Chair Biosystems Engineering, discussing how UW-Madison research/resources connect to state emergency management activities.
LEGISLATION INTRODUCED
Senate Joint Resolution 52 - Biotechnology Research Compact
Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) has introduced legislation that supports creation of a compact with the states of Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota for the purpose of pooling resources to attract biotechnology research. The resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs.
Senate Joint Resolution 53 - Same Sex Marriage
Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) has introduced legislation which requires recognized marriages in Wisconsin be between one man and one woman. The resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
Senate Bill 435 - Research and Development Tax Credit
Senator Ted Kanavas (R- Brookfield) has introduced legislation which creates an income/franchise tax credit for sales/use taxes paid for tangible personal property used in research or manufacturing by a biotechnology business, an institution of higher education or a governmental unit. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
Assembly Bill 835 - UW Tuition Remission
Representative Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) has introduced legislation that would allow for tuition remission for children and surviving spouses of ambulance drivers, correctional officers, EMTs, fire fighters and law enforcement officers who are permanently disabled during the line of duty. The bill is referred to the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee.
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