Two GOP lawmakers are circulating legislation that would rein in government powers during a pandemic, including a provision that would ban sweeping stay-at-home orders.
Among other things, the two bills would mandate governors get approval from at least two legislative leaders before declaring a public health emergency.
The bills are being circulated by Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, and Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay.
In addition to banning orders to stay at home, one bill would require the Department of Health Services or local health officials to petition a court to isolate individuals with a communicable disease. That process would include providing the court a statement from a health care provider that the individual is suspected of having a communicable disease and providing evidence the person hasn’t complied with mitigation measures.
The proposed requirements in the bill are similar to what’s now in place for someone suspected of having tuberculosis.
The second bill includes a provision requiring a guv to get the OK from at least two of the four top legislative leaders to issue a public health emergency.
The bill also would ban governors from issuing successive orders declaring a state of emergency based on circumstances arising from the same disaster or public health crisis.
That issue is at the heart of a case that was argued before the state Supreme Court in November. The court has yet to issue a ruling in the case.
