Washington, DC—Today, Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04) was joined by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) and Bobby Rush (IL-01) in introducing H.R.5266, the Urban Agriculture Healthy Food and Entrepreneur Act. This bill would establish two new programs — the Urban Agriculture Conservation Easement Program and the Urban Agriculture Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. Together they would increase the availability of land and capital in communities to encourage more local urban agriculture production. “Food insecurity is a public health issue that harms the most vulnerable. This legislation helps urban communities meet their nutritional needs with resources produced in their own backyards,” said Rep. Gwen Moore. “Increasing resources for

Madison, WI – Hemp – it’s been called “Wisconsin’s Comeback Crop”, and earlier today, Governor Evers signed legislation to make that comeback compete.  The Growing Opportunities Act updates Wisconsin’s hemp law following the passage of the 2018 federal farm bill. Senators Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) and Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) partnered with Representatives Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) to author the Growing Opportunities Act earlier this year. The bill accomodates changes at the federal level and incorporates lessons learned from the first two years since the crop’s reintroduction. “It’s a big day for hemp in Wisconsin,” said Senator Testin. “It

MADISON – Legislation championed by State Representative Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) to promote more options and lower costs at the gas pump is now law in Wisconsin. Earlier today, Governor Evers signed Senate Bill 349 into law, which aligns state code with federal regulations and will allow fuel retailers more latitude in offering more economical options to their consumers through a single fuel hose. Previously, state law mandated that gas stations, convenience stores, and other fuel distributors use separate hoses to dispense fuel blends above and below 10% ethanol. In practice, this meant that many retailers were limited in what fuel options

Madison… Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) authored a bill that will prohibit auto manufacturers from surcharging on vehicles sold. This legislation was signed into law today by Governor Tony Evers. Since September of 2016, some Wisconsin auto dealers have been assessed a surcharge due to the auto dealers’ election to be compensated at the rate state statute allows. This legislation would result in equitable compensation for the work performed and level the playing field for auto dealers to negotiate fair compensation “Manufacturers will no longer be able to pick and choose which dealers to selectively raise

Madison – Two bills authored by State Senator Alberta Darling will improve care and increase access to free and charitable clinics in Wisconsin. Both bills were signed into law on Monday. Senator Darling says her loan-assistance legislation will encourage more health professionals to work in these clinics. “Free and charitable clinics are an important safety net for the uninsured and under-insured,” Darling said, “It’s crucial these clinics be staffed with qualified health professionals.” More than 150,000 Wisconsinites utilize the more than 100 free and charitable clinics throughout the state each year. Currently, health care professionals are eligible for loan assistance

Madison, WI – Today, Senate Bill 169, authored by Representative Ron Tusler (R – Harrison), Senators Van Wanggaard (R – Racine) and Robert Cowles (R – Green Bay), and Representative Tod Ohnstad (D – Kenosha) was signed into law as 2019 Act 59. This law incentivizes the creation of wetlands in needed areas and requires mitigation occur as close to an allowable disruption as possible.   “This law just makes simple, environmental sense for our state and will particularly benefit areas of the state that are most in need of the ecological benefits that wetlands provide,” said Rep. Tusler.   This law incentivizes investment

RICHLAND CENTER, WISCONSIN – AARP Wisconsin volunteer advocates were thrilled to stand alongside Governor Evers today as he signed bipartisan legislation – Senate Bill 380, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 56 – into law. The new law will increase Wisconsin residents’ access to health care professionals through the use of telehealth services. It will improve Medicaid coverage of telehealth services by requiring Medicaid to treat telehealth the same as in-person services in terms of coverage for patients and reimbursements for providers. It will also allow Medicaid patients to receive telehealth directly in their homes or other non-clinical settings. “This is a great

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed eleven more bills into law, in addition to Senate Bill 380, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 56, announced earlier today. The governor acted on the following bills:  Senate Bill 155, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 57: Ensures nonprofit agencies, and their volunteer healthcare providers, that provide services to individuals on Medicaid have liability insurance through the state by allowing them to participate in the Volunteer Health Care Provider Program, if the individuals served are primarily individuals experiencing homelessness.   Senate Bill 166, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 58: Expands eligibility for educational loan assistance programs administered by the