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Legislative Update

February 6, 2004

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President Lyall to Retire

University of Wisconsin System President Katharine C. Lyall announced that she will be stepping down as president at the end of the current academic year (August 2004). More information on Lyall’s career and public reaction

Legislative Session

The Senate on Wednesday approved the appointments of Charles Pruitt of Shorewood and Beth Richlen of Stevens Point to the Board of Regents. Both votes were unanimous (33-0).

The Senate also concurred, by a vote of 32-1, on AB-183, limiting school district youth options programs for pupils who attend an institution of higher education to 18 credits. In addition the Senate referred to Joint Finance SB-253. (Independent charter schools established by UW institutions and college campuses), and SB-388. (Increases bonding authority of UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority to $250 million).

The Assembly passed AB-683. (Permits DOA to select more than one vendor for EdVest) and AB-543. (Requires the Board of Regents to hear public testimony before setting executive salary ranges). But the Assembly fell one vote shy of overriding Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of the bill to repeal the more than 130-year-old ban on carrying concealed weapons. Complete bill history

Rep. Gary Sherman (D-Port Wing), one of the original sponsors of the legislation, was the deciding vote. “People say I should just ‘vote my conscience’ and that is exactly what I have done,” Sherman said in a written statement. “I still care about concealed carry, but I will have to put off the gratification of that desire for a while longer. If I have to obtain concealed carry at the cost of being able to help my district overcome its critical problems, the price is too high.”

Recent Committee Hearings

Senate Higher Education and Tourism met on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and heard public comment on the following bills:

SB-294. Remedial legislation suggested by the Higher Educational Aids Board relating to administration of student financial aid programs.
AB-209. Allows an individual income tax deduction for certain amounts contributed by a great-grandparent, aunt or uncle to a college savings account or a college tuition and expenses program.
AB-342. Makes a student convicted of certain drug violations ineligible for state financial aid.

By a 5-0 vote, the committee amended, and passed, SB-209. (regulating athlete agents).

Upcoming Committee Hearings

The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee will hold a public hearing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10 (225 Northeast) on the following bills:

AB-766 Authority of University of Wisconsin campus police to make arrests off campus.
AB-799. Grants a nonresident tuition exemption to a dependent of an active member of the armed forces if the member is eligible for Wisconsin veterans benefits.
AB-813 Prohibits University of Wisconsin System administrators from serving on the board of directors of certain corporations.

The Committee may enter into Executive Session on the above bills and on SB-85 regarding the addition of a non-traditional student to the UW System Board of Regents.

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee meets at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb 18, (415 Northwest) to consider:

AB-741. Allows an individual income tax deduction for certain amounts contributed to any section 529 college tuition program like EdVest.

Legislation Introduced

SJR-60. Commends Professor Bryant Browne and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on receipt of a patent for a device used to test gases in groundwater and surface water. To Senate Organization.
Rep. Debi Towns (R-Janesville) is circulating LRB-4135/2 which will allow the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to provide engineering instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Rock County campus.

Other News

Rep. Barbara Toles (D-Milwaukee) was sworn in on Feb. 3. She replaces Sen. Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee) who won a recall election for former-Sen. Gary George’s seat.

Gov. Jim Doyle was honored by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association last Friday with the first-ever Badger Award for making sure government is open to the public. In presenting the award, WNA President Brian Knox said Doyle had worked hard to keep government records and meetings open to the public despite occasional opposition.

U.S. Rep. Mark Green has secured $500,000 in federal funds for a new Paper Sciences Technology Transfer Center at the UW-Green Bay. He made the announcement at a press conference in Green Bay on Monday.

U.S. Reps. Ron Kind and David Obey announced that the fiscal year 2004 budget includes $1.5 million for the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI). The program facilitates the federal procurement process by thoroughly analyzing and identifying companies with the capability to successfully supply the federal government and/or most effectively use federal resources and match those organizations to current and future federal needs.

For further information, contact Margaret Lewis at (608) 262-4464 or Doug Bradley at (608) 262-4463