Session 11/19
On November 19th the Assembly met for session. I voted in favor of all the following bills except for AB 644.
Education Bills
SB 11 allows school boards or charter school governing bodies to schedule a time at the beginning of the school term for representatives of a youth membership organization, such as the boy scouts to provide information to students. Governor Evers signed this bill into law on Tuesday 12/9 as Wisconsin Act 79.
SB 424 authorizes the state superintendent to approve a teacher training program, if the program requires students to complete student teaching that consists of full days for a full summer session at a cooperating elementary or secondary school.
AB 156 requires each school board to provide a sexual abuse prevention instructional program to children from 4k to 12th grade and provide parents notice of the program and how to opt out.
AB 518 allows individuals who have a substitute teaching permit to teach at private schools participating in a parental choice program.
AB 582 creates the Council on Dual Enrollment in the Department of Workforce Development and clarifies rules for dual enrolment and transferring college credits.
AB 592 requires DPI to create a program to provide professional development opportunities to K-12 science teachers and allows related science equipment to be used for free by participating teachers at their schools.
AB 613 and AB 614 provide guidance and protection for students with IEPs, it provides requirements for informing parents when there are educational disruptions, and it provides employment protection for teachers taking action to keep their classroom safe.
AB 644 increases the amount of aid per student schools will receive if they consolidate school districts in 2027, 2028, or 2029.
I support the idea of this bill, but I found a potential technical issue which is why I voted against the bill. The concern I have is that the extra aid a consolidated school district would receive per student could be stacked. For example, if school district A and School district B consolidate in 2027 they will receive the extra $1,500 per student in the first year of consolidation. If then the new consolidated school district AB decides to consolidate with school district C in 2028 they may be able to receive an extra $3,000 per student in the first year of consolidation.
AB 645 requires DPI to provide up to $25,000 in reimbursement for feasibility studies for school district consolidation or a whole grade sharing agreement to school boards who have adopted a resolution to consider school district consolidation.
AB 646 requires DPI to contract with an entity to perform a study of school districts and provide a report including recommendations, the conditions of existing school district facilities, and current school-age population as well as a 10 year projection.
AB 647Â requires DPIÂ to award four-year grants to school boards that enter into a whole grade sharing agreement.
AB 648 creates an aid program for certain consolidated school districts.
AB 649Â increases the amount of money given to JCF for specific school consolidation grants.
Miscellaneous Bills
SB 374 exempts minor league baseball players who are compensated under a collective bargaining agreement that expressly provides for wages and working conditions from minimum wage, overtime pay, and recordkeeping requirements. Governor Evers signed this bill into law on Tuesday 12/9 as Wisconsin Act 77.
SB 440 requires legal notices to be published in a newspaper in a sans serif typeface and repeals outdated language about newspaper publications regarding proposed constitutional amendments and other resolutions. Governor Evers signed this bill into law on Tuesday 12/9 as Wisconsin Act 72.
AB 225 establishes requirements for determining where a defendant resides or does substantial business for purposes of choosing a venue in a civil actions.
AB 238Â prohibits hotels and other rooming houses from discriminating against dog handlers accompanied by a search and rescue dog. The facility can ask for documentation that the dog is a search and rescue animal.
AB 240 provides a sales and use tax exemption for items used to train, manage, or control a search and rescue dog.
Bills Signed into Law by the Governor
AB 74 specifies that if a school board receives a report of sexual misconduct from the school, a parent must be notified no later than the end of the day the report was given. Thank you to Rep Franklin for working on this bill to protect a parents rights. Thank you to Governor Evers for signing this bill into law on Tuesday 12/9 as Wisconsin Act 57.
AB 294 revises the membership of the Board of Nursing by reducing the number of registered nurse’s appointed from five to three and then adds one appointment for a licensed advanced practice registered nurse and one nurse educator. My bill was signed into law by Governor Evers on Tuesday 12/9 as Wisconsin Act 74.
December Listening Sessions
Please come out to ask me questions, share concerns, or share ideas for future legislation. Thank you to everyone who came out on the 8th in Denmark. Don’t forget to join me on the 13th in Kimberly.
In-District Events
Wednesday, December 10, Zion Lutheran Church & School Advent Meal at 8378 CR-W, Greenleaf from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. More information can be found here.
Saturday, December 13, Cool City Christmas Downtown, Two Rivers from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. More information can be found here.
Saturday & Sunday, December 13 & 14, Candlelight Christmas Tours at the Charles A. Grignon Mansion, Kaukauna from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. More information can be found here.
Wednesday, December 17, Zion Lutheran Church & School Advent Meal at 8378 CR-W, Greenleaf from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. More information can be found here.
