UPDATE ON MUNICIPAL REGULATION OF SMALL CELL/5G DEPLOYMENT IN RIGHTS-OF-WAY
As reported in the September 27, 2018 Capitol Buzz, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an order last fall limiting local authority over small cell wireless facility deployment and management of local rights-of-way. The 2018 Small Cell Order largely took effect January 14, 2019.

This winter the League contracted with Attorney Anita Gallucci, Boardman & Clark, to prepare a comprehensive memo explaining the FCC order's impact on Wisconsin municipalities and a model right-of-way ordinance regulating the siting of wireless telecommunications facilities in local ROW that is consistent with the FCC order. Both the memo and the model ordinance are posted on the League's Web site.

Meanwhile, cell phone industry lobbyists have informed us that the industry intends to seek state legislation this session "Wisconsinizing" the FCC's small cell order. No drafts of the bill have been made available to us yet. Fortunately, Governor Evers' staff has informed us that the Governor will not support small cell legislation sought by the industry without first addressing local government concerns and the legislation must have bipartisan support.
FIRST MUNICIPAL LOBBY DAY IS FEBRUARY 20
Municipal officials and staff are invited to participate in the League's first lobby day of the session next week on Wednesday, February 20. We meet at 9:30 at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel on the Capitol Square. The agenda for the day is as follows:

9:30 -- 10:30 -- League staff provides briefing on issues that will be lobbied on
10:30-12:15 -- Meet with state legislators
12:30-1:30 -- Lunch and Speaker
1:30 -- Adjourn

More information about the lobby day and how to sign up for the League's lobby team is posted on the League's web site, here.
JOIN US FEBRUARY 25 IN WAUPACA AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LEAGUE'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
The regional meeting scheduled for February 4 in Waupaca was cancelled due to bad weather. The meeting has been rescheduled for February 25. Municipal officials and staff are invited to the PAR 4 Resort in Waupaca from 5:30-7:00 on February 25 to interact with League staff and learn more about the municipal agenda for the upcoming legislative session.

Please join us if you are able. There is no cost and no RSVP necessary. A light dinner will be served. For more information contact Gail Sumi.

Please share our 2019-2020 Legislative Agenda with your state legislators. A copy of the League's agenda is posted on our web site here.
IN THE NEWS 

Task force seeks solutions to transportation gridlock
Asked what Deschane had heard from municipal leaders about the issues, he said, “I think the word is ‘help’ with an exclamation point.”

With lack of funds in the transportation budget, the focus has been on state projects rather than local projects, Deschane said.

Municipalities facing state imposed levy limits are feeling a “double whammy,” Deschane said.

“They’re not seeing the support they did years ago,” he said. Read the full story here...

Evers Wants Nearly $70M in Bonding to Address Water Quality
State agriculture officials would be allowed to borrow another $3 million over two years to fund grants to farmers for building infrastructure that reduces pollution from agriculture. The agency currently is allowed to borrow $7 million.

The Department of Natural Resources, meanwhile, would be allowed to bond for about $65 million more. The money would go toward grants for local governments to reduce pollution; cleaning up contaminated soil along the Milwaukee and St. Louis rivers; and loans to municipalities to cover half the cost of replacing lead pipes. Read the full story here ...

Related: Madison water utility board wants stronger protections against toxic chemical Read the full story here ...
RECENTLY INTRODUCED BILLS

AB 15 , OWI Related Traffic Citations -- Court Appearance. Requires a person who receives a citation for an OWI-related civil traffic violation or who receives a citation for an ordinance in conformity therewith to appear in court to plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty to the charge. By Rep. Ott (R-Mequon).  The League has not yet taken a position on this bill. Comment to the League on this bill.

SB 23, Super majority vote required to interfere with local government powers. Requires a super majority vote to pass bills overturning local government policies, ordinances, resolutions, and regulations. By Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee). The League supports this bill.  Comment to the League on this bill.
PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS WEEK

Joint Legislative Council, February 13, 8:30 a.m., Room 411 South, State Capitol. The Joint Legislative Council will receive the following study committee reports:

  • Minor Guardianships.
  • Use of Police Body Cameras.
  • Identification and Management of Dyslexia.
  • Investment and Use of the School Trust Funds.
  • Direct Primary Care.

All study committee reports are posted on the Legislative Council's web site.