Government Relations
Legislative Update
September 26, 2003
Legislative Sessions
The Senate on Tuesday passed SB-85, a measure to add to the Board of Regents a non-traditional student (an undergraduate who is at least 24 years old) selected by the governor for a two-year term. The Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities passed a companion bill in June on a 10-0 vote. The Senate bill now goes to the Assembly for consideration.
Upcoming Legislative Session
The Assembly will be in session on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m.; and Thursday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. The Assembly, by resolution, made several school choice bills a special order of business for Oct. 1, including AB-503. The bill would increase the number of students allowed to enter the UW-Parkside charter school from 400 to 480 beginning in the 2004-05 school year.
Committee Hearings
The Assembly Education Reform Committee passed AB-503 (see description above) on an 8-5 vote.
Upcoming Committee Hearings
Assembly Colleges and Universities will meet at
10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in room 225-Northwest of the State Capitol.
The committee will discuss the UW Executive Salary Range action taken
on Sept. 2. Regent Vice President David Walsh will speak to the committee.
The committee will also hear testimony on:
AB-366.
Would require the Board of Regents to accept all credits transferred
within the UW System, including credits transferred between
the two-year UW Colleges, and all credits transferred from
the technical college system.
AB-377.
Would require the Board of Regents to offer paid sabbatical
leave funded by gifts and grants, instead of general purpose
revenue, as it is now funded.
AB-403.
Regulates athlete agents.
AB-532.
Makes UW System senior executive salary ranges and adjustments
subject to Joint Finance Committee approval.
(The committee may vote on the above items.)
Law Revision Committee will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in room 411-South of the State Capitol, to review requested state agency remedial legislation for the UW System and other agencies.
New Legislation
AB-532, introduced by Rep. Suder, provides that the Board of Regents of the UW System must propose salary ranges and adjustments to the salary ranges for UW System senior executive positions, but that no salary range or adjustment may take effect until approved by the Joint Committee on Finance. Referred to Assembly Colleges and Universities.
SB-260 by
Sen. Kanavas and AB-537 by
Rep. Nischke
These companion bills create a venture capital
investment trust in the Wisconsin Retirement System. The bills
create an option for state employees and other members of the
Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) to invest up to 10 percent
of their retirement portfolios in Wisconsin venture capital
start-ups. Venture capital investments would be managed by
the State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB) or managers
hired by SWIB. The check-off plan would be completely voluntary
and no state tax dollars would be used.
SB-261 by
Sen. Kanavas and AB-538 by
Rep. Nischke
This bill creates a qualified new business
venture tax credit and a capital gains tax exemption regarding
investments in a certified venture capital funds, requires
a study of new Wisconsin businesses and facilitates the development
of certain investment networks.
This bill also requires the Department of Commerce, in cooperation with the Department of Financial Institutions and the University of Wisconsin System, to annually conduct and publish the results of a study of Wisconsin businesses to determine new business formation trends and identify obstacles faced by new Wisconsin businesses and areas where changes in governmental policy may satisfy the needs of new Wisconsin businesses. In addition, the bill requires the Department of Commerce, in cooperation with the Department of Financial Institutions and the University of Wisconsin System, to provide education and other support to facilitate the development of networks of investors that review new businesses or proposed new businesses for potential investment (commonly called “angel capital networks”).
Proposals Circulating for Co-Sponsorship
Financial Aid (Sens. Jauch and Schultz) LRB 3178
This proposal would restore the National
Guard tuition grant program.
Roll Call Votes (Rep. Rhoades) LRB 3271/1
This bill would require that every vote by
the Board of Regents be a roll call vote.
Open Meetings (Sen. Reynolds and Rep. Suder) LRB
3220/1 and LRB 3303/1
This bill would expand the open meetings
law to include all university departmental committees, subcommittees
and similar bodies which are currently exempt.
UW Employee Code of Ethics (Rep. Albers and Sen.
Reynolds) LRB 0165/3 & LRB 3213/1
This bill would create a UW Employee Code
of Ethics to require that all unclassified personnel annually
report to the System income received from any source other
than direct pay by the UW System. This could include income
from patents, royalties, honorariums, consulting services,
and grants that are a result of the employee’s professional
experience and expertise. The proposal bill also directs the
state Ethics Board to maintain or participate in a site on
the Internet where this information is to be posted and to
charge the Board of Regents costs for services rendered.
Omnibus Issues (Rep. Schneider) LRB 2623/5
Rep. Schneider has presented the Board of
Regents with draft legislation that lists 16 unrelated new
or modified statutory changes in UW System governance. The
bill is not yet introduced and Schneider is requesting the
Regents to adopt most provisions by Administrative Rule.
Information on the Web
UW System Government Relations:
http://www.uwsa.edu/govrel/
UW System Budget:
http://www.uwsa.edu/budplan/
Wisconsin Legislature on the Web
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/
For further information contact Margaret Lewis (608) 262-4464 or David Miller (608) 262-4463