Legislative Watch
Legislative-Public Committees Take
In-depth Look at Legal Issues
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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.
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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:
o Arts Funding
o Condominium Law Review
o Dental Care Access
o Developmental Disabilities
o Guardian ad Litem in Actions Affecting the Family
o Labor Shortage
o Navigable Waters Recodification
o Recodification of Operating While Intoxicated and Safety Laws Pertaining
to Motor Vehicle, All-terrain Vehicle, Boat, or Snowmobile Operation
o Special Education
o State Tribal Relations
o 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.
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