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A few weeks ago the focus of
my column was the final legislative priorities that I had been working on as
the legislative session was winding down. Now that we have indeed reached
the end of this most recent session, I wanted to take the opportunity to
give you an update on legislation that is important to you my constituents.
I have been able to author several bills this session and I am very pleased
with the bi-partisan support I have received for the legislation I have
drafted. Below is an update on several of the bills I have been working on:
AB 269: Known as the “Police Protection Act,” this bill would update the
current legislative statute by which a person is penalized for resisting or
obstructing a law enforcement officer and causing that officer bodily harm.
Under the new law a person causing serious bodily injury to a police officer
may be charged with a felony. I am pleased to report that this bill passed
the State Assembly and State Senate with bi-partisan support and is on its
way to the Governor’s desk.
AB 241: “The Retail Crime Deterrent Act” was introduced in order to combat
activity known as “Organized Retail Crime” (ORC). Unlike shoplifting, where
the thieves usually work alone and steal items for personal use, ORC
involves teams of two or more who steal merchandise from retailers with the
intent to resell. These teams work by distracting the sales staff, stealing
small but expensive products, and usually leaving undetected. The Wisconsin
Grocer’s Association estimates that ORC costs Wisconsin retailers $631
million annually. The bill would put Wisconsin’s felony threshold in line
with Minnesota and Illinois to ensure that Wisconsin’s retailers are not
targeted due to week prosecution standards. While AB 241 did pass the
Assembly, it did not get scheduled in the State Senate. Typically, it takes
several legislative sessions to get a bill a passed in both houses and I am
committed to working on this bill in the future.
AB 743: This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection (DATCP) to process applications for farmland preservation
agreements that were submitted before July 1, 2009, using the laws that were
in effect before that date. This legislation was devolved in partnership
with Trempealeau County’s Department of Land Management. Fortunately, we
were able to get this legislation easily passed in both houses of the
legislature. It is my hope to have it signed by Gov. Doyle shortly.
AB 628: This legislation offers legal conditions under which farmers will be
able to sell unpasteurized milk. Farmers will be required to obtain a
license from the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
and adhere to regular testing in order to sell the product. In addition,
every bottle must be clearly labeled as unpasteurized and include both the
producer’s name and license number and all sales must be done on site,
rather than through stores or distributors. The unpasteurized (raw) milk
bill most likely generated more publicity than any other bill this session.
I am proud to be taking on this issue as the main Assembly author and I am
also pleased to report that the bill did in fact pass both houses of the
legislature by wide bi-partisan margins! It is currently awaiting the
governor’s signature.
It has been an honor for me to have been elected by the people of the 91st
Assembly District to serve as your State Representative. I am pleased to
report on several of the legislative accomplishments and I do want to
encourage you to keep in touch with me. Thank you for the opportunity to
serve the citizens of the 91st Assembly District!
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