This week we’re going to backtrack it a few weeks to go over a previous floor session we have not yet covered. On Thursday, January 18th, the Assembly met for session to vote on a number of bills. I voted in favor of all but one.
AB 385 is a bill I wrote for the purposes of designation on a driver license that broadens the definition of “veteran” to include any person who was admitted to the United States under the Hmong Veterans’ Naturalization Act.
Under current law, the veterans designation is only offered to specific individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces and is presented on their Wisconsin drivers license with a red veterans identifier. This legislation expands that designation to be available to the Hmong-Lao Wisconsinites who fought alongside the United States military in Vietnam to stop the spread of communism.
I believe that the individuals who fought for freedom and our country, lost their homeland, and adopted a new one are American veterans and deserve the recognition this bill offers them.
To hear me speak more in depth on AB 385, click here.
AB 578 allows financial service providers to refuse or delay financial transactions when financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult is suspected.
I voted no because I believe that this bill lacks sufficient timelines for legitimate transactions to be able to go through. The Wisconsin Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys also brought forth a lot of concerns regarding this legislation, which confirms to me that this bill may become more of a hindrance to the community it is supposed to help.
AB 108 prohibits the strip-searching of students by school personnel.
AB 211 adds tribal governments and their employees to the list of persons who are authorized to copy a certified copy of a vital record for administrative use by the authorized entity.
AB 241 ensures parents are informed of their minor’s decision to use a tanning bed before they use it.
AB 293 renames the “critical incident mapping data” grant program from “Critical Incident Mapping Data” to “Interactive Critical Mapping Data” to clear up any confusion regarding which products may be used in conjunction with the grant.
AB 332 expands provisions allowing individuals who hold a license, certification, registration, or permit that was granted by another state to apply for and receive a reciprocal credential in this state.
AB 341 defines sexual misconduct and criminalizes sexual misconduct by a school employee or volunteer in a school setting.
AB 356 continues the current practice of allowing providers to recover their costs associated with facilitating Next Generation 911 (NG-911) by creating a grant program at the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) for incumbent local exchange carriers to receive reimbursement for some of their costs.
AB 424 eliminates unnecessary red tape from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ grant program for county veteran service offices.
AB 468 prohibits a financial institution, as part of a payment card transaction, from requiring the use of a merchant category code that identifies the merchant as a firearms retailer.
AB 510 prohibits the state from infringing on the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of their children without demonstrating that the infringement is required by a compelling governmental interest of the highest order as applied to the child, is narrowly tailored, and is not otherwise served by a less restrictive means.
AB 511 adds ten highway segments to the Michigan border permit.
AB 579 addresses the need for proper legal title of lands in municipalities located along the Great Lakes and certain commercial rivers and creates a process for municipalities to seek proper legal title.
AB 637 adds catalytic converters to the list of parts classified under state law as “major parts of the vehicle,” making it easier to prosecute people who steal catalytic converters.
AB 669 gives civil and criminal immunity, including for local ordinance violations, to the seller of a motor vehicle when the buyer has taken the title and possession of the motor vehicle.
AB 715 makes modifications to clarify and simplify state statutes governing financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations.
AB 878 aligns Wisconsin’s penalties for gas pipeline safety violations with the federal standards.
In-District Events
Saturday, February 10th, is the Chili Drive Thru at Grace Congregational UCC (2801 Garfield St., Two Rivers) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information and to pre-order, call 920-553-1222.
Saturday, February 10th, is “That Chili Thing” at the St. Ignatuis Catholic School Cafeteria from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Show up for some delicious chili, basket raffles, fellowship, and entertainment.
Saturday, February 10th, is Sweet Street Saturday in Two Rivers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Street. Tickets are available at Schroeder’s and cost $10 each.
Sunday, February 11th, will be the Kiwanis Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Machut’s Supper Club in Two Rivers from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 17th, will be a Rummage and Bake Sale at the Washington House Museum (1622 Jefferson St., Two Rivers) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, February 18th, will be a Rummage Sale at the Washington House Museum (1622 Jefferson St., Two Rivers) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
