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Final Floor Sessions Before New Year
The Senate and Assembly were both on the floor Tuesday. Even with some fireworks the Senate passed the Brewer policy and funding legislation to keep the team in Milwaukee through 2050. The Senate also passed comprehensive revisions to Wisconsin's alcohol beverage regulations (see below). All three of these legislative proposals were comprehensive in nature and received bipartisan votes in both houses. The Assembly concurred with Senate modifications and the bills are now headed to the Governor's desk.
Alcohol Legislation
In a surprise move during Tuesday's Senate floor session AB 304, the original alcohol revision legislation was drafted as an amendment and adopted into another bill.
SB 268, related to the Department of Revenue's enforcement and administration of the laws under its purview including tobacco, alcohol, and vaping devices, became the vehicle for the Senate to vote on the comprehensive alcohol reform bill. The Senate pursued this maneuver because AB 304 was not voted out of the Senate Committee. The Committee Chair, Senator Hutton, was working with stakeholders on amendments to the bill. The League requested these modifications to the bill.
For more information on the original bill see this Legislative Council Information Memo.
For more information on the differences in the original alcohol legislation and the amendment that was added to SB 268 see this summary provided by Legislative Council.
All Things Election
Over the past two weeks the Assembly and the Senate voted on several measures that would impact election operation and voting in the state. Some of the bills were passed by the Republican majority, however, about half of the proposals were co-sponsored by Democrats or received Democratic votes in committee. Legislation from both parties this session has been aimed at modifying election rules in response to controversies over the last three years. Not only will the 2024 elections determine the state’s political balance, but they will also be a bellwether for our nation. For more information on all the election related efforts see the League's Election Summary.
Historic Filled Lands
Senate Bill 541, introduced by Senator Stroebel and Representative Wittke, creates a voluntary process where a municipality works with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop and authorize a waterfront development plan with parcels that include land that may have been part of the submerged bed of a Great Lakes water. This bill would allow for changes to commercial rivers and amendments to existing lakebed grants.
The key to a successful application is the public use components identified within a plan. The bill does include requirements for such a plan.
SB 541 had a public hearing yesterday in the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee. We would like to thank Chairman Cowles Vice Chair Wimberger, and committee members Senators Tomczyk, Wirch, and Hesslebein for holding a hearing on this important legislation.
The League and the Wisconsin Realtors Association initiated this legislation. For more information see the article in the Municipality Magazine from our April 2021 Land Use edition (pg. 11-13).
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