Proposed administrative rules with an estimated economic impact of $10 million or more over a two-year period for implementation and compliance would require additional scrutiny under legislation the state Senate approved today. If the cost comes in at $10 million, the Legislature would have to approve the rule via legislation.

The state Assembly today passed 64-34 a bill that would eliminate the requirement that minors aged 16 or 17 obtain a child work permit. Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, said the bill removes a significant hurdle to homeless students who struggle getting their parents to sign the permit or pay the

The Senate overwhelmingly signed off on a series of bills designed to combat opioid addiction, the latest package of legislation to address Wisconsin’s heroin problem. Dems proposed several amendments to the bills, including one to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. They argued the move would provide more money

The Senate signed off on two of the guv’s cabinet secretaries, his pick for a spot on the PSC and four appointments to the Elections and Ethics Commissions. Safety and Professional Services Secretary Laura Gutierrez cleared the Senate unanimously, as did Veterans Affairs Secretary Daniel Zimmerman. But PSC Commissioner Lon

The Senate plans to take up the REINS Act when it convenes this morning, while the Assembly has the high-capacity wells bill on its agenda. Both chambers also are voting on HOPE agenda bills in special session. If the Assembly signs off on the high-capacity wells bill, which cleared the

The state Assembly today approved legislation 57-34 that would ease the process for Dane County towns to opt out of the county’s zoning rules. Dems this week delayed a vote on AB 109 until today, raising concerns the bill could nix eight currently scheduled citizen votes on whether their towns

The state Senate this morning signed off on legislation 19-13 loosening regulations of high-capacity wells over Dem protests it would privatize the state’s waters and give farmers preference over their neighbors. Under the bill, the Department of Natural Resources would not review the impact of the wells, which draw more

The Assembly has adjourned after passing several bills but will be back on Thursday morning to vote on a bill Dems objected to today. The bill, AB 109, makes changes to a law passed last session that lets towns withdraw from Dane County zoning rules. Dems raised concerns that the

Despite a contentious debate on several Dem amendments, the state Assembly today signed off on nine special session bills on opioid abuse. Dems sought to amend some of the bills to ensure the state accepts the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, but Republicans said those amendments were brought to

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow morning to continue discussion on a high-capacity wells bill after Dems objected to a third reading of the legislation this evening. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald proposed the 8 a.m. meeting time, which begins two hours before a Joint Finance Committee public hearing on the budget in West

Assembly Republicans are turning back an effort from Dems to accept the Medicaid expansion during today’s debate on several special session bills on opioid abuse. Republicans also charged Dems with fundraising off the debate, with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos saying it’s “disgusting” that Dems are “using this as a political issue to raise money.”

The state Assembly today unanimously approved a bill designating cheese as the official state dairy product. The proposal, approved 96-0, was the idea of a 4th grade classroom, said Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville. Novak authored the bill and ticked off several statistics on the state’s cheese production, including that Wisconsin

The Senate unanimously signed off on legislation that would alter the criteria for broadband expansion grants and make $18.5 million more available after amending it to ban providers from collecting information on their customers’ use without their permission. The amendment comes a day after President Trump signed legislation to repeal

Senate Dems today will object to a final vote on the high-capacity well bill, a procedural move that would delay Senate action on the legislation. Tony Palese, a spokesman for Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, said Dems will object to third reading because the bill was voted on in

The Senate will take up the high-capacity wells bill when it hits the floor this morning, as well as SB 49, which would alter the eligibility criteria for broadband expansion grants and add $15 million to the program. Senators also are to vote on the confirmation of Jay Risch as

GOP Sen. Dave Craig and Rep. Mary Felzkowski are proposing legislation that would allow Wisconsin residents to carry a concealed weapon without first obtaining a permit. It also would eliminate the state’s school gun free zone law, though schools could still post signs on their buildings and grounds banning weapons.

The Assembly passed a bill that would change the expiration dates on concealed carry licenses that are renewed on a 92-7 vote, sending the bill to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk. Under current law, a license is valid for five years after the date it’s issued. The bill would change that so

The Assembly today voted 68-31 on a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the state treasurer’s office, putting the question before voters in an April 2018 referendum. In addition to eliminating the office, the proposal would change the state constitution to replace the treasurer with the lieutenant governor on the Board of