Citizen Input Influences Legislation

Most of the legislation I introduce comes from ideas brought fourth by the constituents I represent.  As we continue our work during the fall session, action was taken on several proposals that I authored or cosponsored as a result of ideas being brought to my attention by individuals in the 10th Senate District.  The bills that were acted upon or introduced this week include:

• Senate Bill 127 (SB 127) - Under this bill, if a person is convicted of a crime involving an act of domestic violence and it was committed in the presence of a child, the sentencing court must consider the fact that a child was present as an aggravating factor in determining the sentence.  This would allow the court to recognize that the child witnessed the crime without further involving the child in the criminal justice system, which can add to the trauma the child has experienced.  This bill was approved on a unanimous voice vote by the State Senate on October 25th and is now awaiting action in the State Assembly.  I authored SB 127 at the request of a local police officer who has seen first-hand the detrimental impact that domestic violence has on children.
• Assembly Bill 248 (AB 248) - This legislation seeks to allow the Department of Transportation to issue permits for loads of hay or straw that exceed height restrictions.  This issue was brought to my attention by an individual who became aware that differing transportation laws between Minnesota and Wisconsin results in unnecessary cost and waste for agricultural producers and operators.  Unlike a number of neighboring states and Canadian provinces, Wisconsin law does not allow for divisible loads that exceed a certain height to apply for a special permit.  This results in operators being forced to abandon part of their load or selling at a reduced price upon entering Wisconsin.  I authored this legislation as a means to ease the transport of hay and straw and avoid potential losses for operators and agricultural producers.  AB 248 was approved unanimously by the State Senate on October 25th, after previously passing the State Assembly.  AB 248 is now awaiting action by the Governor. 
• Senate Bill 260 (SB 260) - This proposal addresses concerns raised by dairy cooperatives in regards to the administration of the Dairy Manufacturing Facility Investment Credit. The Dairy Manufacturing Facility Investment Credit is an important component of economic development and job creation in rural areas and this bill would improve the administration of the credit for co-op members.  Currently, by the time cooperatives are notified of the amount of the credit they're eligible to receive, most co-op members have already filed their taxes and must file amended tax returns in order to receive the credit.  I introduced this bill in an effort to allow co-op members to claim the credit on the following year's tax return.  SB 260 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Higher Education.
• Senate Bill 261 (SB 261) - SB 261 seeks to increase the allowable length of three-vehicle combinations from the current 65 feet to 70 feet.  A constituent brought to my attention that some three-vehicle combinations for those seeking to camp and engage in recreational sports exceed the current 65 foot length limit, which limits those opportunities.  Many states, including Minnesota, already allow combination lengths of 70 feet or longer and extending Wisconsin's allowable length could have a positive impact on the tourism industry.  The three-vehicle combinations under this bill are specifically in reference to combinations that include recreational vehicles or that are towing camping trailers, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, or watercraft.  This bill was recently introduced and it is awaiting action before the Senate Committee on Transportation and Elections.

As the legislative session continues, please feel free to contact my office for information or to express your suggestions, thoughts, or concerns.  Please continue to stay in touch by visiting HarsdorfSenate.com.