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At Issue

Recently Passed Legislation

Recently passed legislation is a feature of the At Issue column in response to your requests for more information on new laws. Summaries of 1997 Acts 61 - 83 appeared in the May 1998 Wisconsin Lawyer at page 26; summaries of 1997 Acts 84 - 136 appeared in the June 1998 issue at page 52. Due to the volume of legislation passed during the regular and special sessions, legislative summaries appear in multiple issues.

To subscribe to the slip laws (acts), send your order with payment to: Department of Administration, Document Sales, P.O. Box 7840, Madison, WI 53707-7840. The subscription period is from January 1997 through December 1998. The mailed subscription price is $70 plus applicable sales tax. Save mailing costs by picking up your subscription for $20 plus tax. Pick up orders at Legislative Documents, 1 E. Main St., Madison, Wis. Mastercard or Visa orders may be placed by calling (800) 362-7253.

To receive a free, single copy of the entire act, please contact Legislative Documents, 1 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53702, (608) 266-2400. Or use the links below to access the acts and their corresponding bills directly. Please note that you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to read linked materials.

* - Publication date statutory note

Revising statutes to correct errors

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 254
• 1997 Assembly Bill 971

Publication date*: June 18, 1998

Relating to: Repealing, consolidating, renumbering, amending and revising various provisions of the statutes for the purpose of correcting errors, supplying omissions, correcting and clarifying references and eliminating defects, anachronisms, conflicts, ambiguities and obsolete provisions (section 13.93 (2) (j) Revision Bill).

Special distinguishing registration plates

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 255
• 1997 Assembly Bill 119

Publication date*: June 18, 1998

Relating to: Special distinguishing registration plates, payments to authorized special groups, granting rule-making authority and making an appropriation.

Family day care centers

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 256
• 1997 Senate Bill 521

Publication date*: June 22, 1998

Relating to: A parent's right to know certain information about a family day care center and the posting and making available to parents of reports and notices of violations by family day care centers.

Appointing a person as a village trustee or common council member

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 257
• 1997 Assembly Bill 40

Publication date*: June 22, 1998

Relating to: The appointment of a person to act as a village trustee or common council member.

Removing disabled vehicles, debris and obstructions from freeways
and expressways and stopping after a motor vehicle accident

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 258
• 1997 Senate Bill 483

Publication date*: June 22, 1998

Relating to: Removal of disabled vehicles, accident debris and other obstructions from freeways and expressways and stopping after a motor vehicle accident.

Temporary Class B licenses

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 259
• 1997 Assembly Bill 470

Publication date*: June 19, 1998 (revised)

Relating to: Temporary "Class B" licenses.

Mattress, upholstered spring, comforter, pad, cushion,
or pillow for sleeping or reclining

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 260
• 1997 Senate Bill 527

Publication date*: June 22, 1998

Relating to: The manufacture, distribution and sale in this state of any mattress, upholstered spring, comforter, pad, cushion, or pillow designed and manufactured for the purpose of sleeping or reclining and providing a penalty.

Effective date: This act takes effect on Jan. 1, 1999.

Regulating music, art and dance therapists

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 261
• 1997 Senate Bill 337

Publication date*: June 22, 1998

Relating to: The regulation of music, art, and dance therapists, granting rule-making authority and providing a penalty.

Effective dates: This act takes effect on the first day of the 6th month beginning after publication, except as follows:

(1) The treatment of sections 440.03 (14) (c) and 440.08 (2) (a) 67q. of the statutes takes effect on Oct. 2, 1999.

Retail theft

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 262
• 1997 Assembly Bill 493

Publication date*: June 22, 1998

Relating to: Retail theft.

Real estate brokers

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 263
• 1997 Senate Bill 371

Publication date*: June 22, 1998

Relating to: The role and definition of a real estate broker.

The farm mediation and arbitration and the farmer assistance
programs, exit from and entry into dairy industry

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 264
• 1997 Assembly Bill 392

Publication date*: June 23, 1998

Relating to: The farm mediation and arbitration program, the farmer assistance program, exit from and entry into the dairy industry and granting rule-making authority.

Security interests in growing crops

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 265
• 1997 Assembly Bill 843

Publication date*: June 23, 1998

Relating to: Security interests in growing crops.

Violent crimes against elder persons

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 266
• 1997 Assembly Bill 278

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Committing certain violent crimes against an elder person and providing a penalty.

Operating snowmobiles near persons not on snowmobiles

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 267
• 1997 Assembly Bill 436

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Operation of snowmobiles in proximity to persons not on snowmobiles.

Authorizing certain county community programs, boards,
and directors to govern and operate an entity to operate
a mental health-related facility

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 268
• 1997 Assembly Bill 741

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Authorizing certain county community programs, boards, and certain county community programs directors, together with private or public organizations or affiliations, to organize, establish, and participate in the governance and operation of an entity to operate a mental health-related service.

Exempting wood harvesting slashers from vehicle registration

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 269
• 1997 Assembly Bill 802

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Exempting wood harvesting slashers from vehicle registration and granting rule-making authority.

Notices of proposals by American Indian tribal governments to redesignate areas for air quality purposes

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 270
• 1997 Assembly Bill 548

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Notices concerning proposals by American Indian tribal governing bodies to redesignate areas for air quality purposes.

Criminal invasion of privacy

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 271
• 1997 Assembly Bill 276

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Criminal invasion of privacy and providing a penalty.

Access by a child's substitute care provider to information
about the child that is necessary to care for the child

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 272
• 1997 Assembly Bill 275

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Access by a child's substitute care provider to medical information concerning the child that is necessary for the care of the child, the child's religious affiliation or belief and information relating to any involvement of the child in any sexual abuse, in any criminal gang or in any other group in which any child was traumatized as a result of his or her association with that group or in any activities that are harmful to the child.

Granting credit against child or family support

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 273
• 1997 Assembly Bill 191

Publication date*: June 24, 1998

Relating to: Granting credit against child or family support.

Minimum percentage of recycled fiber in newsprint and
the newspaper recycling fee

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 274
• 1997 Assembly Bill 516

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: The specified minimum percentage of postconsumer fiber contained in newsprint and the newspaper recycling fee.

Supervision and placement of persons who commit certain sex offenses

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 275
• 1997 Assembly Bill 660

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: Lifetime supervision for persons who commit certain sex offenses, restrictions on the placement of persons released on parole for certain serious sex offenses and of sexually violent persons who are granted supervised release, granting rule-making authority and providing a penalty.

Effective dates: This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

(1p) The repeal and recreation of section 939.615 (3) (b) of the statutes takes effect on Dec. 31, 1999.

Committing a serious sex crime while infected with HIV

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 276
• 1997 Assembly Bill 866

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: Committing a serious sex crime while infected with human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or a sexually transmitted disease and providing a penalty.

Penalties for certain traffic offenses committed where persons
working on a utility facility are at risk from traffic

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 277
• 1997 Assembly Bill 786

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: Penalties for certain traffic offenses committed where persons working on a utility facility are at risk from traffic, granting rule-making authority and providing a penalty.

Effective date: This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

Tampering with farm equipment hour meters

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 278
• 1997 Assembly Bill 364

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: Tampering with hour meters of farm equipment and providing a penalty.

Effective dates: This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

(1) The treatment of section 100.48 (3) and (4) (b) of the statutes, the amendment of section 100.48 (4) (a) of the statutes and Section 3 (2) of this act take effect on the first day of the 7th month beginning after publication.

Sale or return or consignment sales under the UCC

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 279
• 1997 Assembly Bill 361

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: "Sale or return" or consignment sales under the uniform commercial code.

Statutory rape prosecution pilot program, nursing home forfeitures

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 280
• 1997 Assembly Bill 876

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: A statutory rape prosecution pilot program, nursing home forfeitures and making an appropriation.

Effective dates; health and family services: This act takes effect on July 1, 1998, or the day after publication, whichever is later, except as follows:

(1) Statutory rape prosecution pilot program.

The repeal of section 20.435 (3) (c) of the statutes takes effect on July 1, 2000.

Prohibiting day care licensure, certification, and employment of persons adjudicated delinquent after age 12

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 281
• 1997 Assembly Bill 886

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: Prohibiting a person who has been adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 12th birthday for committing a serious crime from day care licensure, certification, employment, contracting, or residence.

Effective date: This act takes effect on Oct. 1, 1998, or on the day after publication, whichever is later.

Transportation project plats

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 282
• 1997 Assembly Bill 672

Publication date*: June 25, 1998

Relating to: Transportation project plats.

Sentences for felony offenses, parole, extended supervision, and creating a criminal penalties study commission

• 1997 Wisconsin Act 283 (vetoed in part)
• 1997 Assembly Bill 351

Publication date*: June 29, 1998

Relating to: Sentences for felony offenses, parole, extended supervision, creating a criminal penalties study committee, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing penalties.

Effective dates: This act takes effect on the day after publication, except as follows:

(1) Increase in felony penalties. The treatment of sections 11.61 (1) (a) and (b), 12.60 (1) (a), 13.05, 13.06, 13.69 (6m), 23.33 (13) (cg), 26.14 (8), 29.99 (1) (c), (1m) (c), (11m) (a) and (11p) (a), 30.80 (2g) (b), (c) and (d) and (3m), 36.25 (6) (d), 47.03 (3) (d), 49.127 (8) (a) 2., (b) 2. and (c), 49.141 (7) (a) and (b), (9) (a) and (b) and (10) (b), 49.49 (1) (b) 1., (2) (a) and (b), (3), (3m) (b) and (4) (b), 49.95 (1), 51.15 (12), 55.06 (11) (am), 66.4025 (1) (b) and (c), 69.24 (1) (intro.), 70.47 (18) (a), 71.83 (2) (b), 86.192 (4), 97.43 (4), 97.45 (2), 100.17(7)(b), 100.26 (2), (5) and (7), 101.143 (10) (b), 101.94 (8) (b), 102.835 (11) and (18), 102.85 (3), 108.225 (11) and (18), 114.20 (18) (c), 125.075 (2), 125.085 (3) (a) 2., 125.105 (2) (b), 125.66 (3), 125.68 (12) (b) and (c), 132.20 (2), 133.03 (1) and (2), 134.05 (4), 134.16, 134.20 (1) (intro.), 134.205 (4), 134.58, 139.44 (1), (1m), (2) and (8) (c), 139.95 (2) and (3), 146.345 (3), 146.35 (5), 146.60 (9) (am), 146.70 (10) (a), 154.15 (2), 154.29 (2), 166.20 (11) (b) 1. and 2., 167.10 (9) (g), 175.20 (3), 180.0129 (2), 181.0129 (2), 185.825, 200.09 (2), 214.93, 215.12 (6) (b), 215.12, 215.21 (21), 218.21 (7), 220.06 (2), 221.0625 (2) (intro.), 221.0636 (2), 221.0637 (2), 221.1004 (2), 253.06 (4) (b), 285.87 (2) (b), 291.97 (2) (b) (intro.) and (c), 299.53 (4) (c) 2., 302.095 (2), 341.605 (3), 342.06 (2), 342.065 (4) (b), 342.155 (4) (b), 342.156 (6) (b), 342.30 (3) (a), 342.32 (3), 344.48 (2), 346.17 (3) (a), (b), (c) and (d), 346.65 (5), 346.74 (5) (b), (c) and (d), 350.11 (2m), 446.07, 447.09, 450.11 (9) (b), 450.14 (5), 450.15 (2), 551.58 (1), 552.19 (1), 553.52 (1) and (2), 562.13 (3) and (4), 565.50 (2) and (3), 601.64 (4), 641.19 (4) (a) and (b), 765.30 (1) (intro.) and (2) (intro.), 768.07, 783.07, 939.50 (3) (b), (bc), (c), (d) and (e), 946.85 (1), 961.41 (1) (a), (b), (cm) 1., 2., 3., 4. and 5., (d) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5. and 6., (e) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5. and 6., (f) 1., 2. and 3., (g) 1., 2. and 3., (h) 1., 2. and 3., (i) and (j), (1m) (a), (b), (cm) 1., 2., 3., 4. and 5., (d) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5. and 6., (e) 1., 2., 3., 4., 5. and 6., (f) 1., 2. and 3., (g) 1., 2. and 3., (h) 1., 2. and 3., (i) and (j), (1n) (c), (2) (a), (b), (c) and (d), (3g) (a) 1. and 2. and (4) (am) 3., 961.42 (2), 961.43 (2), 961.455 (1), 968.31 (1) (intro.), 968.34 (3), 968.43 (3) and 977.06 (2) (b) of the statutes and section 455 (1) of this act take effect on Dec. 31, 1999.

(2) Miscellaneous provisions. The repeal and recreation of sections 302.11 (1) and 304.06 (1) (b) of the statutes takes effect on Sept. 1, 1998.

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