The state would have to obtain a conviction before police could keep and then sell property taken from those accused of a crime under legislation the Senate approved 22-10. The bill, which now goes to the Assembly, also would require a court to find the property seized is proportional to

The state Senate today signed off along party lines on all but one of the guv’s welfare bills, clearing the way for the nine pieces of legislation to head to his desk. The package, backed by Republicans, includes: *SSAB 1, which would up the work requirement for FoodShare to 30

State agencies would have to provide lawmakers a detailed accounting of their spending every two years under legislation the Senate approved today via voice vote. That report would include the minimum level of funding required for each appropriation to achieve its objectives that does not exceed the prior fiscal year’s

Both houses of the Legislature will be in session today with loaded calendars as lawmakers begin the final sprint before adjourning for the year. That includes both houses taking up Gov. Scott Walker’s $200 million reinsurance plan. The Senate’s calendar also includes measures that would: *roll back permitting requirements for

The Assembly today signed off on a bill to roll back permitting requirements for certain urban and rural wetlands on a 58-39 vote. The chamber also approved a new substitute amendment on a voice vote aligning it with the Senate version of the bill that cleared a committee last week.

The Assembly approved a bill that would up the penalties for having sex with an animal, sending it to the Senate. The bill would make sex with an animal a class H felony. Currently, it’s a misdemeanor. It passed the chamber on a voice vote.

A bill that would provide merit scholarships to students at UW schools cleared the Assembly shortly after the chamber moved back into regular session. The bill, by Rep. Tyler August, R-Lake Geneva, and Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, would require the UW Board of Regents to distribute $5,000 scholarships to Wisconsin

The Assembly today signed off on a bill 58-34 that would make sweeping changes to landlord-tenant laws over a series of Dem objections the legislation sought to appeal to wealthy developers over low-income renters. The bill would increase limits on fees that landlords can charge tenants for credit checks and limit

A bipartisan bill that would let kids run their own lemonade stands without a license cleared the Assembly today on a voice vote. Under the bill, from Rep. Joel Kleefisch and Sen. LaTonya Johnson, minors would be able to operate temporary stands on private property that bring in less than

The GOP-controlled state Senate today rejected along the party lines 18-13 the nominations of Brian Bell and Mike Haas as administrators of the Ethics and Elections commissions. Dems knocked the move as an attempt by Republicans to enact a vendetta against Bell and Haas over past John Doe probes that

Both houses of Wisconsin’s Legislature are scheduled to be on the floor today, with the Senate planning to take up a series of confirmation votes including the heads of the Ethics and Elections commissions. In addition to voting on the nominations of Brian Bell and Michael Haas, senators will also

Dem state Rep. Josh Zepnick says he is “disappointed and disturbed” by Minority Leader Gordon Hintz pulling him off five legislative committees following allegations he kissed two women without their consent in 2011 and 2015. Zepnick, D-Milwaukee, said he has been facing anonymous allegations and again said he will not

Rep. Josh Zepnick, who has resisted calls to resign after he was accused of kissing two women without their consent, has been stripped of his committee assignments. A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Dems have not yet named replacements for Zepnick’s spots on five committees. Asked if

The Assembly signed off on a bill that would let Wisconsin farmers grow industrial hemp, sending it to the guv’s desk. The bill passed on a 92-0 vote last night, two days after the Senate unanimously voted to approve it. Under the bill, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer

The state would overhaul its licenses for barbers, cosmetologists and hair salons under legislation that cleared the Assembly and is now headed to the guv. Dems though worried the bills would lower state standards, hurt the industry and undercut patrons’ safety, with Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, saying the legislation was

Those towing waterskiers would no longer need a second person in the boat acting as a spotter so long as the boat is equipped with a rear-view mirror under legislation the Assembly approved and sent to the guv. The bill passed on a 63-29 vote, with four Dems breaking ranks

The Assembly approved allowing municipalities to provide assistance to those replacing private lead service lines, but covering less of the costs than the Senate had approved. Under the bill, which passed on a voice vote, a municipality would have to approve a resolution asking the Public Service Commission for permission