Session (6/18)
Today, the Assembly met for session. I voted in favor of all these bills. Each bill also received bipartisan support.
AB 201 creates a new crime of sexual extortion (sextortion) with a punishment of either a Class G/H/I felony or Class B felony if the victim dies. The crime involves the victim being coerced to damage property, injure someone, or engage in sexual conduct at the threat of their reputation being ruined by the perpetrator. Unfortunately, these crimes often result in the victim committing suicide.
Sextortion crimes are on the rise across the nation. Wisconsin’s Department of Justice has gotten hundreds of these cases flagged for the last few years, including a recent tragedy in Wausau. The legislature is hopeful this bill will help deter these acts.
AB 232Â creates better efficiencies for workers’Â compensation cases.
A decade ago, the legislature passed 2015 WI Act 55, which transferred the Worker’s Compensation Division’s administrative law judges from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to the Department of Administration’s Division of Hearings and Appeals (DHA). The goal of this legislation was to create efficiencies in the litigation processes and reduce their administrative costs. Unfortunately, in this time, efficiencies have not been seen.
I authored AB 232 to fix these problems. This legislation would transfer these adjudicatory functions of DHA back to DWD, which currently has the technology and system to create the efficiencies needed for workers’ compensation claims.
AB 242Â updates Wisconsin criminal statutes to protect modern communication infrastructure, specifically broadband and video facilities. Theft or vandalism of this infrastructure would receive the punishment of a Class I felony.
AB 257 provides regulatory flexibility and removes barriers to allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice within their scope of practice in healthcare areas where they are needed the most, especially in Wisconsin’s rural areas. The legislature has passed this bill multiple times over the years, but we believe it will get signed into law this session after making compromises with the governor.
AB 269 gives Wisconsin gig industry workers the opportunity to access and participate in portable benefits, such as health insurance and retirement savings, which would benefit the working class.
High School Sports Team Championships
The 2nd Assembly District had not one, not two, not three, but FOUR high school state championships! Who knew the district was such a powerhouse of sports talent?
I would like to congratulate the Denmark, Mishicot, and Kaukauna ladies on their state softball division championships, along with the De Pere Track Team on their D1 victory, as well.
Special congratulations to Kiran Sanford of Mishicot’s Softball Team for breaking the single-game state tournament record by striking out 20 batters. Job well done!
In-District Events
Wednesday, June 18th through Saturday, June 21st is the Electric City River Jam Kaukauna Music Festival. This family-friendly event is admission free and will take place at Hydro Park. More information can be found here.
Saturday, June 21st, and Sunday, June 22nd, is the Maribel Lions Picnic and Parade at the Maribel Village Park. More information can be found here.
Thursday, June 26th, is the Sundae Thursday at 1717 W Park St, Two Rivers from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday, June 27th, and Saturday, June 28th, is the Cool City Classic in Downtown Two Rivers. More information can be found here.
Friday, June 27th through Sunday, June 29th is Village of Reedsville’s 125th Annual Firefighters Picnic and Parade. More information can be found here.
