January 10, 2022 | Number 52
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ICYMI - ARPA Final Rule Released
Last Thursday we issued a Capitol Buzz related to Treasury releasing the long anticipated ARPA Final Rule. The final rule is meant to deliver broader flexibility and greater simplicity for communities during this recovery period. While the final rule does not go into effect until April 1, 2022, Treasury is allowing municipalities to utilize the flexibility included in the final rule immediately.
One of the most significant changes in the final rule is a new concept of a "standard allowance" for revenue loss which allows recipients a standard revenue loss of $10 million without doing a revenue loss calculation. Municipalities, in many cases, would be able to utilize their full ARPA allocation to fund "government services," the most flexible category of eligible uses. Additional noteworthy provisions include:
- A new provision allowing ARPA funding of capitol projects if they are related to the public health emergency or the economic impacts associated.
- An expansion of projects specifically enumerated to respond to disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 including improvements to vacant and abandoned properties and rehabilitation or remediation of environmental contaminants and conversion to affordable housing.
- Expanded enumerated uses for small business impacts including rehabilitation of commercial properties, start-up or expansion costs, support for microbusinesses including financial, childcare, and transportation costs.
- New provisions allowing increased flexibility for government employment including worker retention incentives.
League Bill Heads to Public Hearing
This Tuesday, the Senate Financial Institutions and Revenue Committee is hearing SB 396, the League initiated bill related to calculating and refunding interest to a taxpayer who successfully files a claim to recover an unlawful property tax. If SB 396 is voted out of the Senate committee soon, it will be available for scheduling on the Senate floor. If passed the bill would then head to the Governor's desk. This bill is a League priority for the end of session. For more information see the League's testimony.
Republican's Release Law Enforcement Package
Republican lawmakers started the New Year focusing on public safety issues with a number of bills they have entitled the Law Enforcement Support package. Unveiled at press conferences last Tuesday, the legislative proposals were formally introduced on Friday. The League is currently reviewing the bills below.
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AB842: Relating to: earned release from parole or extended supervision and discharge from probation.
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AB841: Relating to: prosecuting a violent felon for the crime of illegal possession of a firearm.
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AB840: Relating to: bail for criminal defendants who have a previous conviction for bail jumping.
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AB839: Relating to: Department of Justice collection of data on the use of appearance bonds and cash in lieu of appearance bond...
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AB838: Relating to: bail for criminal defendants who have a previous conviction for a felony or violent misdemeanor.
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AB837: Relating to: grants for law enforcement officer recruiting and bonuses for law enforcement officers.
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AB836: Relating to: technical college police academy programs.
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AB835: Relating to: waivers for hunting, fishing, camping, and state park admission fees for law enforcement officers.
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AB834: Relating to: no-knock search warrants and certain expenditures of federal moneys by first class cities.
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AB833: Relating to: grants to support part-time law enforcement officers.
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AB832: Relating to: increasing the law enforcement training reimbursement.
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AB831: Relating to: a law enforcement marketing campaign.
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AB830: Relating to: model curriculum for pupils in grades 5 to 12 on interacting with law enforcement and granting rule-making
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AB829: Relating to: mandatory minimum sentence for three or more convictions for retail theft and providing a penalty.
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AB828: Relating to: additional compensation and recruitment and retention benefits for correctional officers, youth counselors,...
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AB827: Relating to: multiple acts of theft committed in concert and providing a penalty.
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AB826: Relating to: use of pepper spray by an employee of the Department of Corrections.
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AB825: Relating to: records of battery in prisons.
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AB824: Relating to: battery of a corrections employee by a person in custody and providing a penalty.
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RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEGISLATION
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SB 826, Emergency Medical Transportation Services under Medical Assistance. This bill implements an ambulance service provider assessment fee on private ambulance service providers for supplemental reimbursements under the Medical Assistance (MA) program and a supplement reimbursement under MA to public ambulance providers for ground emergency medical transportation through certified public expenditures. By Senator Felzkowski (R-Irma) and Representative Loudenbeck (R-Clinton). The League supports this bill.
SB 835, Local Land Use Regulations. This is a League initiated bill with the Wisconsin Towns Association. By Senator Petrowski (R-Marathon) and Representative Wittke (R-Racine). The League supports this bill.
AB 824-842, Law Enforcement Support legislation. See information above.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS WEEK
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IN THE NEWS
(Paywalls may apply)
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Top Senate Republican opposes effort to 'dismantle' elections agency Read the article.
La Crosse to allocate remaining ARPA relief funds to clean water, housing, child care and more Read the article.
Madison moves up in clean energy rankings, while Milwaukee plans to make strides with climate and equity plan Read the article.
Janesville gas station wants right to sell beer by the can, liquor commission divided Read the article.
Green Bay City Council will see 9 contested races in April election Read the article.
Spring election has largest field of candidates in a decade; County Executive among contested races (Kenosha) Read the article.
Neenah mayoral race and turnover on Winnebago and Outagamie boards highlight spring elections Read the article.
Mickey Mouse cannot win in Paddock Lake; rules on write-in votes clarified Read the article.
Rural hospital leaders share how they're staying afloat during COVID-19 omicron outbreak Read the article.
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2nd Tuesday of every month.
January 11, 2021, 12:00-1:00 via Zoom
The 2022 schedule of League events is coming soon!
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Email questions or comments to:
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