WISCONSIN CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
Capitol Update
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Contents
1. WCC Supports Police Reform
2. Senate Passes Alkaline-Hydrolysis Cremation
3. Senate Passes Policing Use-of-Force and Policing Standards
4. Senate Passes Water Quality Funding
5. Senate Passes School COVID-19 Waivers
6. Assembly Passes Changes to Parental Choice Income and Enrollment
7. Upcoming Hearings of Interest
8. New Bills of Interest
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WCC Supports Police Reform
On May 18, the WCC testified in support of four bills that would reform policing across the state (all authored by Spiros, John). AB-108 would require each law enforcement agency to state in its publicly available policy regulating the use of force 1) the instances in which a use of force must be reported, 2) how to report a use of force, and 3) the duty to report other officers who engage in or observe a reportable use of force. The bill would also protect whistle-blowers. AB-109 (companion to SB-109 below) would require the state Department of Justice (DOJ) to collect data and publish an annual report on law enforcement use of force incidents, whether or not injury resulted. AB-110 (companion to SB-110 below) would require each law enforcement agency to 1) post its use-of-force policy on the law enforcement agency website or, if the agency does not have one, on the municipality's site, and 2) regularly update the policy and make it available in paper form. AB-134 would mandate that a law enforcement agency may not authorize the use of choke holds, except in life-threatening situations or in self-defense. The committee took no further action on any of the bills.
Senate Passes Alkaline-Hydrolysis Cremation
On May 11, on a voice vote, the Senate passed SB-228 (Testin, Patrick), which permits the use of alkaline hydrolysis to cremate human remains. The bill now awaits action in the Assembly. The WCC opposed the bill and urges readers to contact their Representatives to object to the bill and its companion, AB-207. Please remind lawmakers that the human person is God’s unique creation. Dissolving and draining human remains into the wastewater system dishonors the person. Wisconsin law allows for better “green” burial options.
Senate Passes Use-of-Force and Policing Standards
On May 11, on voice votes, the Senate passed SB-122, SB-123 (both authored by Wanggaard, Van), and SB-165 (Testin, Patrick), which would provide greater transparency regarding law enforcement policies on the use of force and in police employment files. The bills now await action in the Assembly. The WCC registered in support.
Senate Passes Water Quality Funding
On May 11, on a vote of 29-4, the Senate passed SB-084 (Jacque, Andre), which provides grant funds to replace or rehabilitate private on-site wastewater treatment systems. The bill now awaits action in the Assembly. The WCC registered in support.
Senate Passes School COVID-19 Waivers
On May 11, on a voice vote, the Senate passed an amended SB-302 (Stroebel, Duey), which extends authority for the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to waive certain requirements and deadlines through October 31, 2021 that are applicable to private schools participating in a parental choice program, private schools participating in the Special Needs Scholarship Program, or independent charter schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill now awaits action in the Assembly. The WCC registered in support.
Assembly Passes Changes to Parental Choice Income and Enrollment
On May 11, on a vote of 60-36, the Assembly passed AB-059 (Dittrich, Barbara), which bill increases the income eligibility for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program to 300 percent of the federal poverty level and allows a pupil to submit full-time open enrollment applications to an unlimited number of nonresident school districts. The bill now awaits action in the Senate. The WCC registered in support.
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Upcoming Hearings of Interest
(N.B. Only bills of interest are flagged. In most cases, committees will be considering other bills as well.)
Assembly Education, 9:00 am, Wed, May 26, 412 E
AB-196 School Athletics (Dittrich, Barbara) Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants.
Assembly Colleges and Universities, 10:00 am, Wed, May 26, North Hearing Room
AB-195 College Athletics (Dittrich, Barbara) Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants.
Senate Human Services, Children & Families, 11:00 am, Wed, May 26, 411-S
SB-260 Abortion (Jacque, Andre) Prohibiting performance of and funding or providing property for abortions and other services by certain employees and entities.
SB-261 Abortion (Jacque, Andre) Reporting of sex and fetal anomaly and facility following induced abortion.
SB-322 School Athletics (Bernier, Kathy) Designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants.
SB-323 College Athletics (Bernier, Kathy) Designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants.
Senate Insurance, Licensing & Forestry, 11:00 am, Wed, May 26, 300-SE
SB-293 Marriage (Kooyenga, Dale) Marriage solemnization requirements and marriage document requirements, issuance, and validity.
SB-309 Telehealth (Kooyenga, Dale) Funding for free and charitable clinics and defining telehealth. Referred to Senate Insurance, Licensing & Forestry
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New Bills of Interest
SB-343 Epinephrine (Jacque, Andre) Use of epinephrine prefilled syringes and standing orders for epinephrine. Referred to Senate Health / AB-337 (Sortwell, Shae) Referred to Assembly Health
AB-323 Parenting Classes (Mursau, Jeff) Mandatory parenting classes. Referred to Assembly Family Law
AB-324 Minor Employment (Loudenbeck, Amy) The employment of minors. Referred to Assembly Labor and Integrated Employment
AB-329 No-Knock Warrants (Steineke, Jim) Reporting the use of no-knock entry in the execution of a search warrant. Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
AB-330 Resource Officers (Steineke, Jim) School resource officers. Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
AB-331 Law Enforcement (Steineke, Jim) Requiring prospective law enforcement officers to complete a psychological examination prior to employment as a law enforcement officer and granting rule-making authority. Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
AB-332 Law Enforcement (Steineke, Jim) Crisis training for law enforcement officers. Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
AB-333 Crisis Program Grants (Steineke, Jim) Crisis program enhancement grants. Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
AB-334 Law Enforcement (Steineke, Jim) Drug testing of law enforcement officers involved in certain critical incidents while on duty. Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
AB-335 Camera Grants (Steineke, Jim) Grants to law enforcement agencies for body cameras. Referred to Assembly Criminal Justice and Public Safety
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Websites of Interest
Wisconsin Eye – Independent, nonpartisan video coverage of state government proceedings.
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Capitol Update is a periodic e-mail on legislative issues from the Wisconsin Catholic Conference.
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Wisconsin Catholic Conference
© 2021
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