Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signs 23 bills into law

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed 23 new bills into law. All of the new laws are summarized below:

 

Assembly Bill 380 – creates a cumulative preference system for applicants for each year they do not receive a sturgeon spearing permit.  This bill also changes the start date that permits can be transferred to minors to October 1st instead of November 1st of each year.  Senator Michael Ellis (R-Neenah) and Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) authored this bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 64.

 

Assembly Bill 61 – allows retailers to file civil action against individuals who attempt to purchase alcohol while underage.  Senator Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) and Representative André Jacque (R-De Pere) authored the legislation, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 65.

 

Senate Bill 290 – requires mortgage servicers to provide a payoff statement that closing agents can rely upon and reduces the delay in receiving a clear title for homeowners.  Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) and Representative Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) authored the legislation, which passed the Senate 32-1 and passed the Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 66.

 

Senate Bill 310 – clarifies the definition of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and a utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) and corrects current statutory language regarding crossings at a bridge, culvert, or railroad.  The bill aims to improve the safety of ATV/UTV riders.  Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) and Representative Erik Severson (R-Osceola) authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 67.

 

Assembly Bill 174 – streamlines the payment of county medical examiners by removing the stipulation that they are paid semimonthly.   Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls) and Representative John Murtha (R-Baldwin) authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 68.

 

Senate Bill 189 – allows the Department of Natural Resources to establish an electronic means to receive reports of violations of the Department’s statutes.  Also gives the Department authority to use its current citation procedure when regulating discharge of certain materials into wetlands.  Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) and Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 69.

 

Senate Bill 190 – eliminates the current Department of Natural Resources prohibition requiring publicly owned sewage treatment or collection systems to have more than one wastewater discharge permit.  Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) and Representative Al Ott (R-Forest Junction) authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly with unanimous consent.  The bill is Act 70.

 

Assembly Bill 8 – states that local government cannot impose restrictions on hunting with a bow and arrow or crossbow within the municipality except within 100 yards of a building, unless the owner of the building allows such hunting.  Representative Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) and Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) authored the legislation which is Act 71.

 

Senate Bill 134 – allows the Department of Natural Resources to spend a maximum of $564,500 each fiscal year on sea lamprey control activities.  Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) and Representative Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay) authored the bill, which unanimously passed the Senate and Assembly.  The bill is Act 72.

 

Assembly Bill 373 – permits property and casualty insurance providers to deliver electronic notices and documents, if the consumer has given consent.  Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) and Representative Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay) authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 73.

 

Senate Bill 314 – streamlines application permits for related residential, commercial, or industrial development, based on current ordinances.  Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) and Representative David Murphy (R-Greenville) authored the legislation, which passed the Senate 18-15 and unanimously passed the Assembly.  The bill is Act 74.

 

Assembly Bill 352 – allows for the placement of net pens in navigable waters with a statewide general permit and with additional requirements set in place for fish farms.  Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) and Representative Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly with strong bipartisan support.  The bill is Act 75.

 

Senate Bill 179 —aids tenants by eliminating the possibility they will be evicted if they are a victim of a crime by enforcing landlords to provide specified notices of domestic abuse protections.  The bill also helps landlords to recover any damages caused by tenants and allows them to deal with property left behind by tenants in a more effective manner.  Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) and Representative Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) authored the legislation.  The bill is Act 76.

 

Assembly Bill 119 – permits the sale of a more effective pepper spray and allows minors to carry pepper spray when it is purchased by their parents.  Senator Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) and Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) authored the legislation, which passed on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 77.

 

Assembly Bill 248 – simplifies the process for parents and guardians who are trying to put a security freeze on the credit report of a minor, or those over the age of 16.  Parents and guardians must provide “sufficient proof of authority” and violations may result in a civil forfeiture of no more than $1,000 per violation.  Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) and Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 78.

 

Senate Bill 40 – allows law enforcement officers to search residence or property of an individual on parole or under supervision, if the individual is believed to have committed a crime or is in violation of the terms of their probation.  This is only applicable to individuals who had been convicted of felonies involving life and bodily security, crimes against children, and the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.  Senator Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) and Representative Mike Endsley (R-Sheboygan) authored the legislation, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 79.

 

Senate Bill 183 – streamlines shoreland zoning ordinances by removing county ordinances when the area is incorporated.  Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) authored the bill.  The bill is Act 80.

 

Senate Bill 278 – focuses on the health and safety of visitors and workers at mining sites.  Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Representative Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) authored the legislation.  The bill is Act 81.

 

Assembly Bill 359 – allows the Department of Natural Resources to lease state forest land within the town of Boulder Junction to the Boulder Junction Shooting Range for a maximum term of 30 years.  Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Representative Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) authored the bill, which passed both the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 82.

 

Assembly Bill 62– broadens the definition of an “intoxicant” to include substances that are inhaled ingested, or consumed.  Representative Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay) and Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) authored this legislation, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 83.

 

Assembly Bill 28 – helps ensure Wisconsin’s safety by updating current laws regarding sexually violent persons and aligning these statutes with most recent psychological standards and treatments.  The Joint Legislative Council authored this legislation, which passed both the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 84.

 

Assembly Bill 30 – provides clarity to hunters and law enforcement regarding the rules of transporting game into Wisconsin from another state or from tribal land.  The Joint Legislative Council’s Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations authored the bill, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 85.

 

Senate Bill 346 – eliminates grants for stage II vapor recovery systems because vehicles are now equipped with these systems on board.  Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) and Representative Dan LeMahieu (R-Cascade) authored the legislation, which passed the Senate and Assembly on a voice vote.  The bill is Act 86.