Government Relations
Legislative Update
September 30, 2005
Concealed Carry Legislation Announced
Senator Dave Zien and Representative Scott Gunderson held a news conference this week to announce reintroduction of a bill to allow persons to be licensed to carry a concealed weapon. The bill had not yet been introduced at the time this report was prepared. The past position of the board has been to oppose the carrying of concealed weapons on university property.
Legislative Session Action on cloning and Contracting
On September 28 the Senate passed AB 499 on a vote of 21-12. The bill prohibits human cloning and cloning of human cells for research. The bill was passed by the Assembly in June and now goes to the Governor for action. President Reilly and Chancellor Wiley have requested a veto. The Governor has indicated that he will veto the bill.
The Senate also passed Substitute Amendment 1 to AB 105 by a vote of 32-0. The bill requires an analysis of any outside contract over $25,000. The UW System had requested on several occasions an amendment to raise the contract limit so as to focus analysis on contracts where real savings could be achieved and limit administrative costs. The bill was messaged to the Assembly for concurrence.
Committee Action on criminal Background Checks for Employment
The Assembly Labor Committee voted adoption of Substitute Amendment 1 to AB 383 of a vote on 8-1. The bill requires criminal history investigations of applicants for certain state government jobs. The substitute amendment would narrow the scope of these investigations to only those who are offered jobs that have fiduciary responsibilities. The bill will be scheduled for an Assembly floor vote shortly. See text of amendment at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AB383-ASA1.pdf
Steingass Report Hearing
The Assembly Labor Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Wednesday, October 12 at 10 a.m. The committee has requested that several UW System administrators, including President Reilly, attend the hearing to answer questions on the report by Susan Steingass into Chancellor Wiley’s actions involving Vice Chancellor Paul Barrows.
Legislation Introduced: Charter School Expansion, Board Composition, Tech Transfer, Tax Credits, Parking near UW Campuses
Representative Vos has introduced AB 698 (identical to SB 345) that would increase enrollment at the UW-Parkside Charter school from 400 to 480 pupils beginning in the 2006-07 school year. The bill has been referred to the Colleges and Universities Committee. Please see full text of the bill at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AB698hst.html
Representative Rhoades has introduced AB 701 that would change the composition of the Board of Regents membership by requiring the appointment of one regent per congressional district. The bill has been referred to the Colleges and Universities Committee. See full text at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AB-701.pdf
Senator Kanavas has introduced SB 338 that would remove the prohibition against a public officer or employee having a private interest in a public contract. The purpose of the bill is to accelerate the transfer of university research to the private sector and the spin-off jobs new companies create. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs. Please see full text of the bill at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-338.pdf
Senator Kanavas has also introduced SB 351 that could provide income tax credits for Colleges Savings Accounts or College Tuition and Expenses programs. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Job Creation, Economic Development and Consumer Affairs. See full text at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-351.pdf
Senator Darling and Representative Richards have introduced companion bills (SB 329/AB 667) allowing local governments to restrict parking in front of residences located near a UW System campus. The intent of the bill is to protect the ability of homeowners to have parking on the streets in front of their homes. Permits would be required for parking in campus areas. SB 329 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Transportation, and AB 667 has been referred to the Assembly committee on Urban and Local Affairs.
Federal Update
To date, Congress has appropriated more than $60 billion to support Katrina-displaced victims. An additional supplemental appropriation (which could be as much as $200 billion) is expected to be considered sometime after the Columbus Day holiday. View two documents: 1) Katrina Hurricane Relief legislative activities; and 2) CRS Report for Congress, "Hurricane Katrina: Education and Training Issues."
Bills and Board of Regents positions are posted at:
www.uwsa.edu/execvp/govrel/pending/index.htm
For further information, contact Margaret Lewis at (608) 262-4464.
Information on the Web
UW System Government Relations:
http://www.uwsa.edu/govrel/
UW System Budget:
http://www.uwsa.edu/budplan/
Wisconsin Legislature:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/