MADISON – Three bills co-authored by Senator Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield) received hearings in the Assembly this week. These are among a robust legislative agenda by Sen. Hutton this session that advances the goal of improving the everyday lives of constituents and advocating for fiscally responsible lawmaking.
Assembly Bill 266 was heard in the Committee on Financial Institutions on Wednesday, October 1. Current law waives the state’s $130 business startup fee for student entrepreneurs enrolled in college. This bipartisan bill expands the current law definition of “student entrepreneur” to include 18-year-olds enrolled in a public, private, or tribal high school and homeschooled students, waiving the limited liability company (LLC) filing fee for those students.
Senator Hutton said, “This bipartisan reform will open doors for the next generation of Wisconsin business leaders. No matter in which fields a student finds a passion and an interest—from robotics to lawn care and everything in between—we should be removing barriers and supporting their pursuits.”
Assembly Bill 457 was heard in the Committee on Education on Thursday, October 2. It requires school districts to be in compliance with the Department of Public Instruction’s financial reporting requirements before placing an operating or capital referendum on the ballot for referendum. This added transparency empowers voters to make informed decisions about significant investments in their local schools.
Senator Hutton said, “While MPS is a significant recent example, all districts should have to meet basic standards of due diligence before raising taxes—just as taxpaying citizens must keep their own personal finances in order.”
Assembly Bill 450 was heard in the Committee on Housing and Real Estate on Tuesday, September 30. This bill provides a critical grace period for the Wisconsin construction industry in response to new building code regulations now being enforced by the Department of Safety and Professional Services via administrative rule.
This new commercial building code had been blocked by the legislature’s oversight process, but DSPS was able to begin enforcement of it after a recent decision by the state Supreme Court. Without a grace period being granted, long-planned projects across the state are at risk of literally being sent back to the drawing board.
Senator Hutton said, “Allowing such a setback to be dealt to building projects throughout the state is especially concerning at a time when the cost of housing has risen out of reach for far too many Wisconsin citizens and more supply is desperately needed.”
Hutton also led on sending a corresponding letter signed by 30 other legislators to DSPS urging department Secretary-Designee Dan Hereth to delay enforcement of the new building code to next April using his newly granted unilateral authority.
