Judiciary Public Hearing (3/4)
Yesterday, I testified before the Judiciary Committee on two bills that I drafted and introduced.
AB 86 increases the penalty for child trafficking from a Class C felony to a Class A, which carries a penalty of life imprisonment, in situations where three or more children were victimized.
Child trafficking is one of the greatest atrocities that happen in our society, often resulting in a lifetime of catastrophic repercussions from the young person’s damaged development. It is a form of modern slavery and a severe violation of human rights. These victims are preyed on and illegally procured and forced into various forms of exploitation, including labor, criminal activity, and sexual favors. Wisconsin law should reflect the justice these children deserve.
AB 87 requires restitution to be paid immediately to human trafficking victims in Wisconsin once the perpetrator is convicted and also requires all financial obligations imposed as part of a criminal sentence (restitution) to be paid before a felon’s right to vote is fully restored.
In criminal cases, the goal of restitution is to financially address the harm done to a person in order to make them whole. This restitution can help contribute to payments for medical and psychological services, housing, child care, property, or any costs of labor provided.
The second requirement in the bill will ensure justice is entirely served and full accountability is given to those that still owe a debt to their victims, especially to those that are trafficked.
Energy and Utilities Public Hearing (3/4)
Yesterday, the Energy and Utilities Committee held a public hearing on AB 25.
This legislation seeks to maintain Wisconsin’s regulatory oversight of the state’s transmission infrastructure and to help keep Wisconsin on track.
More specifically, this legislation preserves the role of the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin. These members are appointed by the governor and confirmed with the advice and consent of the state senate in deciding who owns and operates the transmission infrastructure in the state versus federal regulators. It also requires Wisconsin’s transmission developers to competitively bid on the construction of their infrastructure, which will be reviewed and approved by the PSC in an open, transparent process.
Those who support the bill presented information claiming that even if the projected savings of the federal process (unproven as of yet) are realized, the end result would be a savings of $0.001 per customer per month. In contrast, there were some folks who opposed the bill, arguing that the federal process of bidding on these projects would result in cost savings.
This legislation was introduced last session but did not make it through both chambers in time for it to get sent to the governor’s desk.
Criminal Justice Public Hearing (2/26)
Last week, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on AB 24.
AB 24 would require our state and local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) when they ask for an illegal immigrant to be locally detained pending pickup by their officers.
Although I talked about this bill in a previous e-update, as a reminder, this legislation will require sheriffs to request proof of legal presence status from individuals held in a county jail for an offense punishable as a felony. The bill also requires sheriffs to comply with detainers and administrative warrants received from the federal Department of Homeland Security regarding individuals held in the county jail for a criminal offense.
To read more pertaining to AB 24, visit my previous e-update here.
In-District Events
Saturday, March 8th, will be the Two Rivers 5th Annual Trap Shoot (Westshore Sportsman’s Club) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 15th, is the 1000 Island Pancake/Porkie Breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon at 1000 Island Environmental Center in Kaukauna.
Sunday, March 23rd, is the Annual Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Menchalville Fire Department (15331 County Rd K, Reedsville).
Friday, March 28th, is the Kettle Range Snowriders Spring Fish Fry at the Mishcot VFW Park and Hall (317 W Main St, Mishicot) from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
