Government Relations

Legislative Update

February 3, 2006

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In this issue:

STATE UPDATE

Concealed Carry Veto Override Fails

Wisconsin’s century old ban on carrying concealed weapons was preserved.  On Jan. 31 the Assembly failed to override Governor Doyle’s veto of SB 403, regarding the carrying of concealed weapons, by a vote of 64-34, 2 short of the 66 needed to override.  

Enrolled Bills: Academic Excellence Higher Education Scholarships; WHEG Maximum; Criminal Background Checks; Charter School Enrollment Increase; Independent Charter Schools Established

The following bills were passed by the Legislature and are now waiting action by the Governor:

SB 370.  Adds eligibility of a student in a two-year full-time vocational diploma program at a technical college for an academic excellence higher education scholarship.

SB 481.  Increases the maximum amount of a Wisconsin Higher Education Grant.

AB 383.  Requires a criminal history background investigation of applicants who are offered state government jobs that have fiduciary responsibilities.

AB 698.  Increases enrollment of the charter school established by UW-Parkside.

AB 730.  Allows five additional charter schools to be established by UW institutions.

Resident Fishing and Hunting Licenses for University Students Advances

On February 2, on a voice vote, the Assembly passed AB 905 which adds eligibility for fishing and hunting resident licenses to citizens of a foreign country temporarily residing in the state while attending a high school, technical college, or an agricultural short course at the University of Wisconsin System.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Transportation.

Legislative Committee Action:  Tuition Remission for Dependents of Disabled Veterans; Student Regent Appointments

The Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security, Military Affairs, Small Business and Government passed SB 427 (companion to AB 879) by a vote of 5-0.  The bill would add tuition remission eligibility to spouses, surviving spouses, or children of veterans if the veteran was a resident of the state for at least ten continuous years before the student registers and the veteran had incurred a service-connected disability that is 30 percent or more.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Organization committee for scheduling.

The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee voted to recommend passage by a vote of 12-0 of AB 882 which makes modifications to student regent appointments.

Upcoming Legislative Hearings on Tax Credit for Tangible personal property Used in Research, State Support for Forward Wisconsin, Composition of the Board of Regents, Clinical Practicum for Law School Students 

The Senate Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs Committees will hold a public hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce Blvd., 101 N. Farwell on SB 435 which creates an income and franchise tax credit for the sales or use taxes paid for tangible personal property that is used in research or manufacturing by a biotechnology business, an institution of higher education, or government unit; and SB 513 which increases GPR support for Forward Wisconsin.

The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. in room 225 Northwest on AB 701 that would change the composition of the board of Regents membership by requiring the appointment of one regent per congressional district.  Also scheduled for a hearing is AB 819 which directs the UW Law School to require a student to complete a six to eight credit clinical practicum in order to receive a degree.

Legislation Introduced: Enrollment at UW Medical School; Remedial Legislation relating to membership of the State Lab of Hygiene Board, Nonresident Tuition Exemption for Veterans, Medical Student Transfer Program

Senator Grothman has introduced SB 549 which repeals current law that reduced the size of the class entering the UW Medical School by 2.5 percent for each academic year between 1984-1988.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee.  Please see full text at:  http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-549.pdf

The Law Revision Committee has introduced SB 554, suggested as remedial legislation by the UW Board of Regents to changes the membership of the State Lab of Hygiene Board; nonresident tuition exemption for veterans, and the transfer program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Higher Education and Tourism Committee.  See full text at:  http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-554.pdf

FEDERAL UPDATE

Senators Feingold and Collins Urge President to Raise Pell Grant Maximum Award

Senators Russ Feingold and Susan Collins (R-ME) wrote to President Bush urging him to increase the Pell Grant maximum award as part of the FY07 budget.  The current maximum award covers less than 40 percent of the average cost of attending a public four-year institution.  They asked that the maximum award be raised from the current $4,050 to $4,500.   See Senator Feingold’s statement at:  http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/releases/06/01/20061333.html

American Competitiveness Initiative

At his State of the Union Address on January 31, President Bush announced his American Competitiveness Initiative. The White House released a 23-page report providing details.  Please see text of the report at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/aci/index.html#section4.

Rep. Boehner Elected House Majority Leader 

On Feb. 2, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) was elected House Majority Leader.  He beat out the favorite, Majority Whip and acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt (R-MO).  Mr. Boehner will succeed Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX), who resigned from the position in September.  Mr. Blunt, will remain Majority Whip.  

2006 U.S. House of Representatives Calendar

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