Testify on AB 187 in Committee on Local Government 5/7
Today, May 7th, I testified before the Committee on Local Government on AB 187, a bill I drafted and circulated.
AB 187 creates a financial incentive to serve a department by providing a stipend to cover training costs. An applicable municipality that has an ordinance to provide a 100% match would receive a grant from the Department of Administration to cover training costs up to $250 per volunteer firefighter.
Under AB 187, individuals could then receive up to a $500 stipend, with the other half coming from the municipality.
Every second counts in an emergency. With fewer volunteers, response times can be slowed, increasing the risk of an event being fatal. There is no silver bullet to completely fix low volunteer numbers, but AB 187 is a step in the right direction to maintain quality public safety around the state.
Testify in Committee on Judiciary 5/7
Today, May 7th, I testified before the Committee on Judiciary on a bill I drafted and circulated.
AB 88 creates a pathway for restitution to be paid to those who suffer injury or loss as a result of a riot.
Riots, contrary to peaceful protests, create an inherent danger to public safety and usually result in damage to personal and public property. This bill makes it a Class I felony to urge, promote, organize, encourage, or instigate others to commit a riot and a Class H felony to intentionally commit an act of violence while participating in a riot.
Additionally, this legislation prohibits government officials from interfering with law enforcement in their ability to quell riots and vandalism to ensure public safety.
Rioters need to be held accountable and pay for their actions, not the taxpayers and businesses.
Committee on Criminal Justice Public Hearing 5/7
Today, May 7th, the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on three bills.
AB 242 addresses the issue of communications infrastructure theft and vandalism.
There is already a state law relating to theft and vandalism of electric transmission and telecommunications facilities. This bill would add broadband and video service to the list of facilities covered under this statute.
Additionally, the bill would increase the penalties in this section for individuals convicted of intentionally breaking down, interrupting, or removing the covered facilities or who intentionally makes a physical connection to the facilities without the permission of the facility owner.
AB 53 adds a community service officer (CSO) to the list of protected public officials, making it a Class H felony to cause or threaten to cause bodily harm to a community service officer in response to an action the CSO took in an official capacity.
AB 171 addresses implementation concerns regarding Wisconsin Act 235, which provides enhanced privacy protections for publicly-facing documents for judicial officers. These changes will help ensure the law both adequately protects judicial officers and works in practice with required record filings.
Specifically, the bill:
• Requires a “written request” to shield a record to be notarized.
• Requires a judicial officer to describe with reasonable particularity which records contain personal information.
• Specifies to whom the privacy request is made
• Further defines “residence” and “secondary residence”
• Allows sharing of information between government agencies
• Clarifies about the role and requirements of Registers of Deeds.
Saturday Listening Session (5/10)
If you missed my Monday listening sessions, you still have one more opportunity to show up!
My third and last listening session will be this Saturday, May 10th at 10 a.m. at the Francis Creek Village Hall (200 Norwood Dr, Francis Creek) with special guest, Senator Andre Jacque.
I hope to see you there!
In-District Events
Saturday, May 10th, will be a Renaissance Faire at the Brown County Library Weyers-Hilliard Branch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 10th, there is a Car Show at Kimberly High School from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday, May 10th, is the Mishicot Lions Club Grill Out at the Cenex Parking Lot starting at 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 15th, the Kaukauna American Legion Post 41 is hosting a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Seminar at the Kaukauna Recreation Department (207 Reaume Avenue, Kaukauna) in the Street, Park and Recreation Building. The seminar begins at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 17th, will be the Wrightstown Village Wide Rummage Sale from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
