AB 29 Is Now Law!
Welcome back to another edition of the Sortwell Scoop, with even more exciting news!
AB 29, now known as Wisconsin Act 149, removes the sales tax application for precious metal bullion. Under the bill, “precious metal bullion” is defined as coins, bars, rounds, or sheets that contain at least 35 percent gold, silver, copper, platinum, or palladium.
Prior to this bill being signed into law, Wisconsin was only one of eight states that still placed a sales tax on precious metals, while all of our Midwest neighbors did not. This bill levels the playing field for Wisconsin’s precious metal sellers and prevents pushing consumers elsewhere for their business. Additionally, planning for retirement would be less expensive when diversifying a portfolio with investments in precious metals – something that is becoming more common.
Welcome to the Capitol, Electa Quinney Elementary School!
Thank you to another awesome school group for taking time out of their busy schedule to meet with me and Rep. Goeben. It was a pleasure to chat!
Session (2/15) Continued
AB 684, a bill I wrote, eliminates the current prohibitions against electrical weapons, primarily requiring a conceal carry permit.
In a report published by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, the Department of Justice defined electronic control weapons as “non-lethal” or “less lethal” weapons. These self-defense tools are geared toward incapacitating or distracting an attacker, not causing great bodily harm. Allowing individuals to freely carry electronic-controlled weapons offers another form of self-defense. Obtaining a concealed carry license and carrying a firearm do not fit everyone’s skill and comfort level. This is another way to help provide safety to the citizens of Wisconsin.
To hear my speech on this legislation, click here.
AB 730 requires age verification before a child can access certain material.
That I voted “no” on this bill may surprise you. So let me walk you through my thought process.
First, this is talking about private citizens accessing materials on private devices. This is not the same as using taxpayer-funded resources to access explicit materials in school libraries. That should be prohibited.
So here are my concerns with the bill.
1) Is it the government place to require age verification on private devices? Maybe.
2) Is this bill effective in accomplishing that goal? Hardly. Bypassing age verification online is ridiculously easy, particularly for those younger people who grew up with technology.
3) Is this a service that has already been solved by the private sector? Absolutely. US Speaker Johnson, in fact, was criticized by the Left because he has accountability software on his and his son’s mobile devices so that they can help each other stay away from materials they personally find immoral.
4) Does this requirement cause a security risk to your private information? Indeed it does. You can’t tell me that those websites dealing in explicit materials are run by the most scrupulous of individuals. So, passing a law that requires you to upload your data to such sites seems particularly risky. Who knows where your data will go? Now you may say that this is a risk you take to access that material. OK, and if your teenage son uploads your license without your knowledge? Do we really think that won’t happen to some people?
So, to summarize, the bill is bad because:
1) Not sure it is the government’s role
2) It’s ineffective
3) Private sector has solutions
4) Creates data security risk.
AB 544 will prevent courts from conducting repetitive hearings on cases where the district attorney has declined to issue a complaint because the person was acting in self-defense when there is no new evidence presented.
AB 556 requires courts to ensure a speedy trial for cases involving elder victims to minimize the length of time the victim must endure the stress of being involved in the proceedings.
This legislation has been signed into law by the governor and is now known as 2023 Wisconsin Act 231.
AB 557 expands kinship care across Wisconsin by including “like-kin” in the definition of those from whom children in need, can receive kinship care.
AB 620 makes updates to current law. Currently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reimburses law enforcement departments $160 per officer for the required 24 hours of annual training. This bill would use funds already approved in the biennial budget to double the statutorily required reimbursement from a minimum of $160 to $320 per officer.
AB 658 makes minor policy changes and several technical corrections to laws administered by the Department of Revenue (DOR).
AB 664 helps defend against deliberately disseminated misinformation designed to influence elections through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
This legislation has been signed into law by the governor and is now known as 2023 Wisconsin Act 123.
AB 752 ensures Wisconsin’s statutes align with ADA requirements by incorporating a broader—already existing—definition of “service animal.”
AB 837 makes a simple change to allow law enforcement agencies to charge a public records requestor for the “actual, necessary, and direct” cost of redacting recorded video content to the extent that redaction is necessary to comply with applicable constitutional, statutory, or common law.
AB 869 proposes to allow snowplows to use Signal Priority (SP) so they may request extra green time to proceed through the intersection to improve efficiencies during winter maintenance operations and provide safe travel to the motoring public.
This legislation has been signed into law by the governor and is now known as 2023 Wisconsin Act 167.
AB 882 would allow TEMS (Tactical Emergency Medical Services) personnel to carry a concealed weapon in prohibited places such as a school, mall, courthouse, etc.
AB 944 aims to codify the opinion established in OAG-02-17 that each conviction or finding is counted separately, even if they were part of the same proceeding, occurred on the same date, or were included in the same complaint.
AB 965 recognizes the public policy and legal boundary between demonstrators’ constitutional rights to free speech and assembly and judges’ rights to feel safe and secure in their homes and in the carrying out of their constitutional duties.
This legislation has been signed into law by the governor and is now known as 2023 Wisconsin Act 234.
In-District Events
Friday, April 19th, will be the Kettle Range Snow Riders Fish Fry at the Mishicot VFW Park (317 W Main St., Mishicot) from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 20th, will be the Reedsville Firefighters fundraiser at 100 Industrial Dr., Reedsville, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a brat and burger fry, a sportsman raffle, and a cornhole tournament.
Saturday, April 27th, and Sunday, April 28th, will be the Mishicot Spring Archery Tournament at Jambo Creek Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
