Legislative Watch
Legislative-Public Committees Take In-depth Look at Legal
Issues
by Jenny Boese, a State Bar
government relations coordinator. For more information, she can be
reached at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6045, (608) 250-6045.
EVERY TWO-YEAR LEGISLATIVE session the Joint
Legislative Council establishes a variety of study committees that
examine major issues and problems identified by the Legislature. The
study committees are made up of legislators and citizens who are
knowledgeable and/or interested in the topic. Their work is done
primarily during the Legislature's recess.
Study committees often will formulate legislative recommendations on
the issues and, after approval by the Joint Legislative Council, those
recommendations are introduced as legislation in the next legislative
session.
The slate of Legislative Council study committees approved for this
year include:
-
Guardian ad Litem in Actions Affecting the Family
-
Labor Shortage
-
Navigable Waters Recodification
-
Recodification of Operating While Intoxicated and Safety Laws
Pertaining to Motor Vehicle, All-terrain Vehicle, Boat, or Snowmobile
Operation
-
Special Education
-
State Tribal Relations
-
Use of Prescription Drugs for Children
The State Bar and its practice sections will be interested in several
of these study committees, including the condominium law revision,
guardian ad litem, and OWI study committees.
Condominium Law Review
The Condominium Law Review Study Committee is chaired by Sen. Jon
Erpenbach and Rep. Tom Sykora. Its charge is to review all aspects of
condominium law, including condominium development and establishment,
governance, annual budgets, reserve accounts, and ownership and rental,
among other issues. The study committee also is directed to study ways
to protect investments in condominiums and ways to develop the
condominium form of property ownership. The study committee will report
its recommendations to the Joint Legislative Council by Jan. 1,
2001.
The State Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section will work
closely with this study committee.
Guardian ad Litem in Actions Affecting the Family
The GAL Study Committee is chaired by Sen. Kim Plache and Rep. Mark
Gundrum (an attorney). The GAL Study Committee is charged with reviewing
the GAL system as it applies to actions affecting the family. The work
of this committee will include review of the appointment, role,
supervision, training, and compensation of guardians ad litem. The GAL
Study Committee also is specifically required to review the appointment
of GALs in contested custody or placement cases and whether
professionals with specialized knowledge in emotional/developmental
cases should be appointed as Gals
The study committee is directed to prepare a report on any
recommended legislation and to petition the Wisconsin Supreme Court on
GAL system reforms that are more appropriately determined under Supreme
Court Rule. The study committee's recommendations are to be submitted to
the Joint Legislative Council by Jan. 1, 2001.
The State Bar Family Law Section will work closely with this study
committee.
OWI Recodification
The OWI Recodification Study Committee will be chaired by Sen. Brian
Burke (an attorney) and Rep. Steve Freese. The OWI Study Committee is
directed to undertake a recodification of current statutes relating to
OWI. The committee will look at safety issues with all types of vehicles
(including all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and boats) and a
recodification of laws in the Criminal Code and Motor Vehicle Code in an
effort to organize, modernize, and clarify provisions. The study
committee is to make its recommendations to the Joint Legislative
Council by Jan. 1, 2001.
The State Bar Criminal Law Section will work closely with this study
committee.
To Learn More ...
The Joint Legislative Council is a body of 22 legislators. The
council's primary responsibility is to establish study committees to
examine major issues and problems identified by the legislature. The
study committees appointed by the council are made up of legislators and
citizens. Study committees do most of their work when the legislature is
in recess. The council reviews the legislation recommended by the study
committees and, if a majority of council members (12) vote for
introduction, the legislation is sponsored by the Joint Legislative
Council. The Wisconsin Legislative Council and staff were created in
1947 by Chapter 444, Laws of 1947.
Information online. Access information on any
Legislative Council Study Committee by going to the Legislative
Council's Web site at www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/2000studies.htm.
Wisconsin
Lawyer