Legislation Aimed to Expand Time Frame for Open Enrollment Passes State Senate

Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-10)

• SB2, co-authored by Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, seeks to expand the time frame under which parents may apply to the Open Enrollment Program so children may attend school in a different district. Under current law, parents have from the first Monday in February through the third Friday of February to apply. SB2 seeks to expand the time frame so that applications may be submitted between the first Monday in February through the last weekday of April. The bill was first introduced on Jan. 11 and passed through the Senate on Feb. 2 (20 ayes and 11 noes), and has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Education.
• SB17, authored by Harsdorf, was introduced on Feb. 9. The bill aims to increase the scope of Wisconsin's campaign finance law, requiring registrants who live outside of the state to report the same information as registrants within the state. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Elections.
• SB7, the Senate bill seeking to require voter identification during elections, passed in the Senate (25 ayes to 7 noes) and was sent to the Assembly, where it was referred to the Committee on Rules.
• SJR11 was introduced by Harsdorf (and co-sponsored by Rep. Dean Knudson, among others) on Feb. 9. SJR11 intends to have the Wisconsin Legislature recognize 2011 as World Veterinary Year. The resolution currently awaits scheduling.
• No committee meetings are scheduled for Harsdorf for the week.

Rep. Dean Knudson (R-30)

• AB7, co-authored by. Rep. Dean Knudson, had a fiscal report filed in relation towards the passing of AB7 and the cost for implementation by the state of Wisconsin. AB7 was introduced on Jan. 27 and proposes voter IDs be required for all Wisconsin voters during elections. According to the fiscal estimate, filed by the Department of Justice, there would be "no state fiscal effect" for enacting AB7. AB7 currently awaits action in the Committee on Eletion and Campaign Reform.
• No committee meetings are scheduled for Knudson for the week.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

• Sen. Ron Johnson announced a legislative internship opening in his office on Feb. 8, the program is open to Wisconsin college students. Interested Wisconsin students must apply by Friday, March 4, and submit a transcript, three letters of recommendation, a resume, a cover letter and a writing sample to internships@ronjohnson.senate.gov. The internship runs from May 21 to July 1.

Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI)

• Sen. Herb Kohl introduced S.RES.48 on Feb. 10, a resolution congratulating the Green Bay Packers on their Super Bowl Victory. Resolution passed the Senate with unanimous consent.

Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI)

• Rep. Ron Kind co-sponsored HR529, introduced on Feb. 8, which seeks to amend the IRS code of 1986 so that computer technology and other equipment be eligible as higher education expenses for 529 plans. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.