Highlights

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Section Public Policy Positions

You may look up section lobbying policy positions online. Lobbying sections maintain the unique ability to closely monitor and develop legislation on key policy items that pertain to their particular section and area of law.

The State Bar of Wisconsin establishes and maintains sections for carrying on the work of the association, each within its proper field of study defined in its bylaws. Each section consists of members who voluntarily enroll in the section because of a special interest in the particular field of law to which the section is dedicated. Section positions are taken on behalf of the section only.

These section positions have not been approved by the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Wisconsin and are not the views of the State Bar as a whole. They are those of the section alone.

If you have any questions, please contact State Bar Government Relations Staff.

Current Legislation

Civil Rights & Liberties Section
- - Companion Bill: AJR 21
  - Relating to: application to Congress under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States for a convention for proposing amendments relating to a balanced budget.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 47
  - The Governor recommends eliminating the commission and adding a secondary review process for administrative law judge decisions in order to streamline appellate functions and decrease the time to decision for unemployment insurance, equal rights and worker's compensation cases.
  - Position: Active Opposition
Elder Law & Special Needs
- - Companion Bill: AB 64/SB 30
  - Increases to reimbursement rates paid to nursing homes by 2 percent.
  - Position: Active Support
Family Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 57
  - Relating to: requiring child support compliance for FoodShare benefits.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 57
  - Relating to: requiring child support compliance for FoodShare benefits.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 551
  - relocating with a child who is the subject of a legal custody or physical placement order.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 586
  - modifications to legal custody or physical placement contingent upon a future event.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 448
  - relocating with a child who is the subject of a legal custody or physical placement order.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 474
  - modifications to legal custody or physical placement contingent upon a future event.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Indian Law Section
- - Relating to: battery of a tribal judge, tribal prosecutor, or tribal law enforcement officer and providing criminal penalties.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Litigation Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 566
  - service of certain pleadings and other papers by electronic mail.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 773
  - Discovery of information in court proceedings; procedural requirements relating to class actions; consumer lawsuit lending; the statute of limitations for certain civil actions; agreements by the secretary of revenue to allow third-party audits related to unclaimed property; interest rates for overdue insurance claims; and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 47
  - The Governor recommends eliminating the commission and adding a secondary review process for administrative law judge decisions in order to streamline appellate functions and decrease the time to decision for unemployment insurance, equal rights and worker's compensation cases.
  - Position: Active Opposition
- - Companion Bill: SB 19/AB57
  - The Department of Administration’s proposal to eliminate the requirement for court reporters at Division of Hearings and Appeals hearings and replace with electronic recording devices. This line item can be found on p. 218, #20, of the DOA agency budget request.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 468
  - service of certain pleadings and other papers by electronic mail.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 645
  - Discovery of information in court proceedings; procedural requirements relating to class actions; consumer lawsuit lending; the statute of limitations for certain civil actions; agreements by the secretary of revenue to allow third-party audits related to unclaimed property; interest rates for overdue insurance claims; and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Public Interest Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 52
  - Relating to: court proceedings for traffic violations.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 57
  - Relating to: requiring child support compliance for FoodShare benefits.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 67
  - Relating to: penalties for violations related to the motor vehicle liability insurance requirement, proof of financial responsibility, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 122
  - Relating to: forfeiture of property seized in relation to a crime.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 64/SB 30
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 64/SB 30
  - Relating to: Drug testing for W-2 benefits.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 43
  - Relating to: material misstatements on applications for certain credentials and providing a criminal penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text

Past Sessions

2015-2016

Business Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 837
  - Relating to: adopting revisions to the state's uniform partnership law, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a criminal penalty.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 295
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Children & the Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 478
  - Relating to: disclosure of pupil records that are pertinent to addressing a pupil's educational needs to the Department of Children and Families, a county department of human services or social services, or a tribal organization that is legally responsible for the care and protection of the pupil.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 161
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 339
  - Relating to: eligibility for monthly subsidized guardianship payments of a person who develops a familial relationship with a child or the child's family during the child's placement in out-of-home care, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 143
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 574
  - Relating to: the disclosure of electronic juvenile court records to a county department of human services or social services for purposes of providing intake and depositional services.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 144
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 514
  - Relating to: procedures for changing the placement of a child who is subject to a temporary physical custody order or termination of parental rights order of the juvenile court, procedures for amending a consent decree of the juvenile court, emergency change-in-placement procedures for a child who is placed in his or her own home under a dispositional order of the juvenile court, venue in post-dispositional proceedings under the Children's Code and Juvenile Justice Code, procedures for requesting and objecting to a proposed change in placement of a child and for changing the placement of a child when no objection is filed, the appointment of a successor guardian for a child who is subject to a termination of parental rights order of the juvenile court, case closure orders with respect to a child whose dispositional order is terminated, and the effective period of a temporary physical custody order of the juvenile court.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 373
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to juvenile guardianship legislation (redraft of 2011 SB 560).
  - Position: Active Support
- - Relating to: juvenile shackling
  - Position: Active Support
- - Companion Bill: SB 141
  - Relating to: the notification of relatives when a child is removed from the custody of the child's parent and placement of a child with a parent of a sibling of the child who has custody of the sibling.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 101
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: creating family treatment court and juvenile treatment court grant programs in the department of children and families and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 200
  - Relating to: the investigation of a child abuse report in which a person who is not a caregiver of the child is suspected of permitting, allowing, or encouraging the child to engage in prostitution; and prohibiting prosecuting a person under the age of 18 with committing an act of prostitution.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: the disclaimer of parental rights by a birth parent and his or her appearance in court.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Criminal Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 460
  - Relating to: resolution of claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons, exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislature, health benefits for wrongfully imprisoned persons, and making appropriations.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Elder Law & Special Needs
- - Companion Bill: AB 236
  - Relating to: tax-exempt accounts for qualified expenses incurred by individuals with disabilities and granting rule-making authority.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to legislative proposals and government agency policies related to living and pooled trusts, estate recovery and divestment.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
- - Relating to provisions in the 2015 state budget bill, AB 21, that change the governance of Family Care and the Aging and Disability Resource Centers in Wisconsin.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 487
  - Relating to: visitation of residents of certain facilities by adult children.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 343
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 749
  - Relating to: report on dementia crisis unit pilot program and placement of individuals with dementia.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 272
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 748
  - Relating to: informed consent for psychotropic medications in nursing homes and community-based residential facilities.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 760
  - Relating to: referrals for subjects of alerts for missing adults and operator's license review.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 694
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 274
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: funding for the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: funding for a virtual dementia tour license and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: funding for dementia care specialists in aging and disability resource centers and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: funding for respite care under the Alzheimer's Family and Caregiver Support Program and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 273
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 750
  - Relating to: dementia specialist certification program.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Family Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 386
  - Relating to: requiring verification from court orders for eligibility for public assistance programs.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 514
  - Relating to: procedures for changing the placement of a child who is subject to a temporary physical custody order or termination of parental rights order of the juvenile court, procedures for amending a consent decree of the juvenile court, emergency change-in-placement procedures for a child who is placed in his or her own home under a dispositional order of the juvenile court, venue in post-dispositional proceedings under the Children's Code and Juvenile Justice Code, procedures for requesting and objecting to a proposed change in placement of a child and for changing the placement of a child when no objection is filed, the appointment of a successor guardian for a child who is subject to a termination of parental rights order of the juvenile court, case closure orders with respect to a child whose dispositional order is terminated, and the effective period of a temporary physical custody order of the juvenile court.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 373
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: relocation in child custody matters
  - Position: Active Support
- - Relating to: ordering modifications to legal custody or periods of physical placement contingent upon the occurrence of a specified future event or a specified change in conditions
  - Position: Active Support
- - Rationale: AB 816 recognizes same-sex marriage by making references in the statutes to spouses gender neutral. The bill also recognizes legal parentage for same-sex couples. The section board supports this legislation because they believe the statutes should be updated to reflect the legal rights given to same sex couples – both marital and parental. The term “husband” and “wife” are no longer accurate to describe a married couple/parental unit and the statutes should be updated to reflect that fact and be inclusive of all marital relationships and parental units.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Litigation Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 223
  - Relating to: statutes of limitation on claims involving property damage and on claims arising from a motor vehicle accident and covered by a motor vehicle insurance policy.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 133
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 498
  - Relating to: claims for loss of society and companionship in medical malpractice cases.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 724
  - Relating to: various changes to the worker's compensation law, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 180
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 408
  - Relating to: the liability of an adult sponsor of a minor applicant for a motor vehicle operator's license.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 202
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Public Interest Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 212
  - Relating to: acts of concealment and misrepresentations in filing for or claiming unemployment insurance benefits.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 117
  - Relating to: pleading requirements under the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 155
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: photo identification cards for FoodShare recipients.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: annual statements showing total public assistance and unemployment insurance benefits received.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to: reporting of the principal place of employment of certain individuals who make political contributions.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 582
  - Relating to: use of changing rooms by pupils.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 438
  - Relating to: the location of operations of a collection agency and persons employed by a collection agency.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 239
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 462
  - Relating to: suspension of operating privilege for failure to pay monetary judgment.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 234
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 21
  - Relating to: state finances and appropriations, constituting the executive budget act of the 2015 legislature.
  - Position: No Position
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 55
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
- - Companion Bill: SB 279
  - Relating to: real estate transfer fee returns for conveyances exempt from the fee.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 145
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 344
  - Relating to: limiting adverse possession of real property.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 200
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 715
  - Relating to: creating the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2015 Wisconsin Act 300
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text

2013-2014

Business Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 115
  - Relating to: remittance transfers under the Uniform Commercial Code Article 4A, relating to funds transfers.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 33
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Children & the Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 664
  - Relating to waiver of a parent's right to counsel in a contested adoption or an involuntary termination of parental rights proceeding for failure to personally appear as ordered by the juvenile court.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 337
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Criminal Law Section
- - Relating to criminal procedure and providing penalties.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to licensure of commercial bail bond agents and bail bond agencies and certification of commercial bail recovery agents, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to Pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Elder Law & Special Needs
- - Relating to provisions in the 2013 state budget bill, AB 40, relating to living and pooled trusts, estate recovery and divestments.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 20
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to provisions contained in the 2013 state budget bill, AB 40, that make changes to the Medical Assistance Purchase Plan (MAPP).
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 20
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to provisions contained in the 2013 state budget bill, AB 40, calling for the elimination of Informal Work Arrangements.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 20
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to the inclusion of amendment language in the 2013 state budget bill, AB 40, which expands Medicaid up to 133% of FPL under the Affordable Care Act.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to Pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 490
  - Relating to the laws of trusts, the Uniform Trust Code, the Uniform Principal and Income Act, powers of appointment, and changes to estate recovery and divestment provisions relating to public assistance programs.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 92
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Family Law Section
- - Relating to a presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child's best interest.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to a presumption that equalizing physical placement to the highest degree is in the child's best interest and child support changes, including prohibiting basing support on income over $150,000 per year, deducting the amount of health insurance premiums from the support amount, prohibiting increasing support above the standard amount, prohibiting orders that set minimum future support amounts, and requiring a support revision if there has been a substantial change in circumstances.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to Medical Assistance, estate recovery and marital property provisions contained in the 2013 state budget bill, AB 40.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 20
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to termination of maintenance upon the payee's or payer's death and notices relating to maintenance.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 209
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Indian Law Section
- - Companion Bill: SB 326
  - Relating to relinquishing custody of a newborn child.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 317
  - Relating to the use of race-based nicknames, logos, mascots, and team names by school boards.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 115
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Litigation Section
- - Companion Bill: SB 129
  - Relating to: inadmissibility of a statement of apology or condolence by a health care provider.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 242
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Public Interest Law Section
- - Companion Bill: SB 38
  - Relating to: Medical Assistance for certain adults who are not currently eligible for traditional Medicaid or BadgerCare Plus.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 182
  - Relating to: the law governing repair, replacement, and refund under a motor vehicle warranty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 101
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to provisions of AB 40 that change Medicaid/BadgerCare Plus.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 20
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to the Governor's proposal to move transit out of the transportation fund and into the general fund.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 20
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to language in the budget that states “Revise state statutes related to rental-purchase agreements to create more choices for Wisconsin consumers.”
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 490
  - Relating to the laws of trusts, the Uniform Trust Code, the Uniform Principal and Income Act, powers of appointment, and changes to estate recovery and divestment provisions relating to public assistance programs.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2013 Wisconsin Act 92
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text

2011-2012

Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors' Rights
- - Companion Bill: Sept. SS AB14
  - Relating to interest rates on judgments
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 69
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Sept. SS SB 14
  - Relating to interest rates on judgments.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Business Law Section
- - Companion Bill: SB 416
  - Relating to: adopting amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code Article 9, relating to secured transactions, recommended by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 549
  - Relating to: adopting amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code Article 9, relating to secured transactions, recommended by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 206
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Children & the Law Section
- - Companion Bill: SB 82
  - Relating to delegation by a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child of powers regarding the care and custody of the child by a power of attorney.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 87
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to equalizing physical placement to the highest degree, requiring the court to state the reasons for ordering sole legal custody or not equalizing physical placement, and standards for modifying legal custody or physical placement.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to privileged communications to a school guidance counselor, school teacher, or teacher's aide.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 173
  - Relating to the disclosure of electronic juvenile court records to law enforcement agencies and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to proposed guardianships of children.
  - Position: Active Support
- - Companion Bill: AB240
  - Relating to the disclosure of electronic juvenile court records to law enforcement agencies and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 270
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to guardianships of children.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 30
  - Relating to delegation by a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child of powers regarding the care and custody of the child by a power of attorney.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Civil Rights & Liberties Section
- - Companion Bill: SB92
  - Relating to prohibiting coverage of abortions through health plans sold through exchanges.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB141
  - Relating to resolution of claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons and exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislature.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 399
  - Relating to: the admissibility of hearsay evidence at a preliminary examination.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 86
  - Relating to permitting an educational agency to refuse to employ or to terminate from employment an unpardoned felon.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 6
  - Relating to requiring certain identification in order to vote at a polling place or obtain an absentee ballot, verification of the addresses of electors, absentee voting procedure in certain residential care apartment complexes and adult family homes, identification cards issued by the Department of Transportation, creating an identification certificate issued by the Department of Transportation, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 23
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to the deadline and procedure for voter registration and determination of residency for voting purposes.
  - Position: Active Opposition
- - Relating to State Facilites Access Policies announced by the Department of Administration on December 16, 201.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 7
  - Relating to requiring certain identification in order to vote at a polling place or obtain an absentee ballot, verification of the addresses of electors, absentee voting procedure in certain residential care apartment complexes and adult family homes, identification cards issued by the Department of Transportation, creating an identification certificate issued by the Department of Transportation, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to conforming the state family and medical leave law to the federal family and medical leave law and granting rule-making authority.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 122
  - Relating to permitting an educational agency to refuse to employ or to terminate from employment an unpardoned felon.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 83
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 509
  - Relating to: the admissibility of hearsay evidence at a preliminary examination.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 285
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 154
  - Relating to prohibiting coverage of abortions through health plans sold through exchanges.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 218
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 168
  - Relating to resolution of claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons and exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislature.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Criminal Law Section
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 79
  - Relating to the privilege of self-defense
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 94
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB217
  - Relating to suspension of operating privilege or registration for unsatisfied judgment for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to licensure of commercial bail bond agents and bail bond agencies and certification of commercial bail recovery agents, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 307
  - Relating to suspension of operating privilege or registration for unsatisfied judgment for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 112
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 69
  - Relating to the privilege of self-defense.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Elder Law & Special Needs
- - Companion Bill: SB 380
  - Relating to removing cap on enrollment of Family Care and other long-term care programs.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 510
  - Relating to special enrollment periods for Medicare supplement policies.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 27
  - Relating to capping enrollment in the Family Care programs (Family Care, Partnership, Pace and IRIS programs) in each county at the number of people participating in that county on June 20, 2011.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 32
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ proposed Maintenance of Effort (MOE) waiver request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Bill Text
- - The Elder Law Section has reaffirmed their 2009-2010 position to actively support proactive legislation regarding adult guardianship and protective service system trailer bill.
  - Position: Active Support
- - Companion Bill: AB 477
  - Relating to removing cap on enrollment of Family Care and other long-term care programs.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 127
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 630
  - Relating to special enrollment periods for Medicare supplement policies.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to protective placement.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Jan. SS SB 11
  - Relating to state finances, collective bargaining for public employees, compensation and fringe benefits of public employees, the state civil service system, the Medical Assistance program, sale of certain facilities, granting bonding authority, and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 10
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Jan. SS AB 11
  - Relating to state finances, collective bargaining for public employees, compensation and fringe benefits of public employees, the state civil service system, the Medical Assistance program, sale of certain facilities, granting bonding authority, and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Family Law Section
- - Relating to equalizing physical placement to the highest degree, requiring the court to state the reasons for ordering sole legal custody or not equalizing physical placement, and standards for modifying legal custody or physical placement.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 534
  - Relating to ordering support for an adult disabled child.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to privileged communications to a school guidance counselor, school teacher, or teacher's aide.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to approving premarital agreements.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to termination of maintenance upon the payee’s or payer’s death and notices relating to maintenance.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 271
  - Relating to ordering support for an adult disabled child.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Indian Law Section
- - Companion Bill: SB 82
  - Relating to delegation by a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child of powers regarding the care and custody of the child by a power of attorney.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 87
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB313
  - Relating to relinquishing custody of a newborn child.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 27
  - Relating to deadline for compliance regarding the termination of the use of race-based nicknames, logos, mascots, or team names
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 32
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - The Indian Law Section voted to actively support submitting comments to the Department of Justice’s regarding funding priorities for tribal programs pursuant to FY 2012 appropriations under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act.
  - Position: Active Support
- - Relating to a requirement that termination of parental rights petitions be filed with respect to children under eight years of age, and certain children eight years of age or over, who have been placed outside the home for six months.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 396
  - Relating to relinquishing custody of a newborn child.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 30
  - Relating to delegation by a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child of powers regarding the care and custody of the child by a power of attorney.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Litigation Section
- - Companion Bill: SB103
  - Relating to inadmissibility of a statement of apology or condolence by a health care provider.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 27
  - Relating to provisions of the proposed state budget that aim to repeal Section 146.83, Wis. Stats. and which allow medical record fees to be set by administrative rule rather than by the current statute.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 32
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 27
  - Relating to amending the proposed state budget regarding payment of settlements under liability insurance policies.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 32
- - Companion Bill: AB 147
  - Relating to inadmissibility of a statement of apology or condolence by a health care provider.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Public Interest Law Section
- - Companion Bill: SB207
  - Relating to permitting an employer to refuse to employ or to bar or terminate from employment an individual who has been convicted of a felony and who has not been pardoned for that felony and preempting cities, villages, towns, and counties from adopting provisions concerning employment discrimination based on arrest or conviction record that prohibit activity that is allowed under the state fair employment law.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 206
  - Relating to Implementing federal health insurance law.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB99
  - Relating to interest rates on payday loans and loans by licensed lenders.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to requiring documentary evidence of citizenship or satisfactory immigration status for public assistance programs, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to implementing health insurance reform, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule?making authority.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB175
  - Relating to restricting eligibility for the homestead tax credit.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB217
  - Relating to suspension of operating privilege or registration for unsatisfied judgment for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 466
  - Relating to miscellaneous landlord-tenant provisions and prohibiting a local government from imposing a moratorium on eviction actions.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to reports on implementation of federal health reform.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to requiring legislation for agencies to take an action to, request federal moneys to, and use state moneys to assist the federal government to implement federal health reform.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to regulation of rental-purchase agreements and granting rule-making authority.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 107
  - Relating to prohibiting ordinances that place certain limits on landlords
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SJR 21
  - Relating to the right of the people to contract privately for health care services and health care coverage, and prohibiting requiring a person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or to participate in any health care system or plan (first consideration).
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to health insurance without mandated benefits, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule?making authority.
  - Position: Active Opposition
- - Relating to allowing out of state insurers to offer health care plans that are exempt from certain laws to employers and individuals in this state and granting rule?making authority.
  - Position: Active Opposition
- - Relating to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ proposed Maintenance of Effort (MOE) waiver request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to implementing federal health insurance law changes.
  - Position: Active Support
- - Position: Active Opposition
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 155
  - Relating to prohibiting ordinances that place certain limits on landlords
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 108
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AJR 28
  - Relating to the right of the people to contract privately for health care services and health care coverage, and prohibiting requiring a person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or to participate in any health care system or plan (first consideration).
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to eliminating the ability for the Department of Health Services to alter Medical Assistance eligibility, provider payment methods, and other Medical Assistance program procedures by policy and eliminating the requirement to request a waiver regarding Medical Assistance program eligibility.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 561
  - Relating to miscellaneous landlord-tenant provisions and prohibiting a local government from imposing a moratorium on eviction actions.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 143
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 286
  - Relating to permitting an employer to refuse to employ or to bar or terminate from employment an individual who has been convicted of a felony and who has not been pardoned for that felony and preempting cities, villages, towns, and counties from adopting provisions concerning employment discrimination based on arrest or conviction record that prohibit activity that is allowed under the state fair employment law.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 307
  - Relating to suspension of operating privilege or registration for unsatisfied judgment for damages arising out of a motor vehicle accident.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 112
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 244
  - Relating to restricting eligibility for the homestead tax credit.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 312
  - Relating to Implementing federal health insurance law.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Jan. SS SB 11
  - Relating to state finances, collective bargaining for public employees, compensation and fringe benefits of public employees, the state civil service system, the Medical Assistance program, sale of certain facilities, granting bonding authority, and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 10
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Sept. SS AB14
  - Relating to interest rates on judgments
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2011 Wisconsin Act 69
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Sept. SS SB 14
  - Relating to interest rates on judgments.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Jan. SS AB 11
  - Relating to state finances, collective bargaining for public employees, compensation and fringe benefits of public employees, the state civil service system, the Medical Assistance program, sale of certain facilities, granting bonding authority, and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text

2009-2010

Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
- - Relating to notification of default and mediation regarding residential real property subject to foreclosure and granting rule-making authority.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
Bankruptcy, Insolvency & Creditors' Rights
- - Relating to exempting attorneys from regulation as adjustment service companies
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Business Law Section
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 687
  - Relating to adopting revised article 1 of the Uniform Commercial Code concerning general provisions.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 320
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 688
  - Relating to adopting revised Article 7 of the Uniform Commercial Code, concerning documents of title
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 322
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to collection agencies
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 404
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 143
  - Relating to bulk transfers of inventory.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 110
  - Bill Text
Children & the Law Section
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 214
  - Relating to post-termination of parental rights contact between a child and a birth relative of the child and disclosure of the report of an investigation of the home of a proposed adoptive parent on the request of the proposed adoptive parent.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 421
  - Relating to Indian child welfare.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 94
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to defense to criminal prosecutions for parent or guardian for using spiritual treatment in lieu of medical treatment on a child and the election of Christian Science treatment for a child in lieu of medical or surgical treatment for the cure of disease.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to guardianships of children.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 550
  - Relating to the exchange of electronic records contained in the Consolidated Court Automation Program and in the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System between the director of state courts and the Department of Children and Families and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to elimination of an exception for spiritual treatment of a child in the law criminalizing physical abuse of a child and in the laws governing the practice of medicine or surgery, the investigation of child abuse or neglect, the administration of psychotropic medication to juveniles in correctional custody, the election of Christian Science treatment in lieu of medical or surgical treatment, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
Civil Rights & Liberties Section
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 36
  - Relating to waiver of sovereign immunity for violations of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, Fair Labor Standards Act, or Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 or of Title I of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 31
  - Relating to authorizing the circuit court to order a person who engages in discrimination in employment to pay compensatory and punitive damages and a surcharge and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 20
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to damages for frivolous claims.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to the drafting and introduction of legislation to partially reverse 2005 Act 442 and create a uniform 30-day time for service of a responsive pleading, rather than the 20-day time to answer created by Act 442.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Did not pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 240
  - Relating to restoring the right to vote to certain persons barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction and changing the information required on voter registration forms.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 336
  - Relating to requiring a person arrested for a felony or a juvenile taken into custody for certain sexual assault offenses to provide a biological specimen for deoxyribonucleic acid analysis, inclusion of the analysis results in the Department of Justice deoxyribonucleic acid data bank, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 196
  - Relating to the time within which a complaint may be filed or a civil action may be brought alleging a violation of the family and medical leave law and the procedures governing an appeal of a determination of the Department of Workforce Development under that law.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 235
  - Relating to limiting disclosure of information gathered by news persons.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 400
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 612
  - Relating to prohibiting consideration of any conviction record of an applicant for employment before the applicant has been selected for an interview.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
Criminal Law Section
- - Relating to reckless homicide of a child by a parent or caregiver and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 98
  - Relating to appellate procedure regarding commitments of persons found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and commitments of sexually violent persons.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 26
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 99
  - Relating to appellate time limits and procedure.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 25
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 100
  - Relating to appellate procedure.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to elimination of an exception for spiritual treatment of a child in the law criminalizing physical abuse of a child and in the laws governing the practice of medicine or surgery, the investigation of child abuse or neglect, the administration of psychotropic medication to juveniles in correctional custody, the election of Christian Science treatment in lieu of medical or surgical treatment, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
Elder Law & Special Needs
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 526
  - Relating to requiring informed consent before administration of psychotropic medication to a nursing home resident who has degenerative brain disorder.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 281
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 758
  - Relating to life settlements, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 344
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 811
  - Relating to suitability of annuity contracts and granting rule-making authority.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 343
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to disposal of decedent’s property.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 341
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to replacement of life insurance or annuity contracts; disclosure requirements.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 344 and 2009 Wisconsin Act 343
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to regulating the use of “senior designations” by sellers of life insurance, annuities and health insurance to senior citizens and retired persons.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Rule promulgated
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to fair hearings and continuation of benefits pending the outcome of a grievance, department review, or fair hearing under the family care program.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: Section language adopted, rule modified and promulgated
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to adult guardianship and protective service system trailer bill.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Bill not introduced
- - Relating to physician orders on life-sustaining treatment (POLST).
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to be introduced
- - Relating to active support of the restoration of funding that provides guardianship support services which has been proposed to be cut in the biennial budget (AB 75, page 257, line 14).
  - Position: Active Support
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 529
  - Relating to uniform power of attorney for finances and property.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 319
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 503
  - Relating to requiring certain county agencies to petition a court to freeze accounts of certain individuals being financially exploited.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to the care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia in residential care facilities, reports on residential care facilities, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 538
  - Relating to requiring nursing homes to notify residents of certain alleged violations and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Family Law Section
- - Companion Bill: AB 508
  - Relating to submitting custody study reports to the court and parties and admitting custody study reports in accordance with the rules of evidence.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 187
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: AB 559
  - Relating to notice of firearm prohibition when served with notice of an injunction hearing and process for surrendering firearms following the granting of certain injunctions.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to equalizing physical placement to the highest degree, requiring the court to state the reasons for ordering sole legal custody or not equalizing physical placement, and standards for modifying legal custody or physical placement.
  - Position: Oppose in Principle
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Indian Law Section
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 421
  - Relating to Indian child welfare.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 94
  - Bill Text
Litigation Section
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 354
  - Relating to statute of limitations for intentional torts.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 120
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to damages for frivolous claims.
  - Position: Active Opposition
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to the drafting and introduction of legislation to partially reverse 2005 Act 442 and create a uniform 30-day time for service of a responsive pleading, rather than the 20-day time to answer created by Act 442.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Did not pass
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to immunity from liability for, and disclosure of patient information by, a health care provider, health care facility, or employee of a health care provider or health care facility that, in good faith, reports or provides information about a violation of the law or of a clinical or ethical standard, unprofessional conduct, or negligence in treating a patient by a health care provider, health care facility, or employee or former employee of a health care provider or health care facility.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
Public Interest Law Section
- - Relating to regulating consumer small loans, limiting the areas in which a payday lender may operate, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 405 (vetoed in part)
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - The Public Interest Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin actively supports the drafting and introduction of legislation to increase the jurisdictional limits under the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Did not pass
- - Relating to finance charges for licensed lenders (payday loans).
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 120
  - Relating to pleading requirements of assignees of creditors under the Wisconsin Consumer Act.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to residential mortgage loan foreclosures.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 633
  - Relating to a grant for providing assistance to individuals to obtain and maintain health care benefits and making an appropriation.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: Failed to pass
  - Bill Text
Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 9
  - Relating to a tort action for intentional misrepresentation in a residential real estate transaction.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 4
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 58
  - Relating to the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act, as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 33
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to disposal of decedent’s property.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 341
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 648
  - Relating to adopting Internal Revenue Code provisions related to individual retirement accounts and adopting provisions of the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 for state income and franchise tax purposes.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 161
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 727
  - Relating to changing the fees collected by a register of deeds, the redaction of social security numbers from electronic documents, and changes to the land information program
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 314
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to declarations creating marina condominiums and technical corrections to the laws governing marina condominiums.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 352
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: Senate Bill 117
  - Relating to extraterritorial plat approval on basis of land's use.
  - Position: Support in Principle
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 399
  - Bill Text
- - Companion Bill: SB 529
  - Relating to uniform power of attorney for finances and property.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 319
  - Bill History
  - Bill Text
Taxation Law Section
- - Companion Bill: Assembly Bill 648
  - Relating to adopting Internal Revenue Code provisions related to individual retirement accounts and adopting provisions of the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 for state income and franchise tax purposes.
  - Position: Active Support
  - Final Status: 2009 Wisconsin Act 161
  - Bill Text
- - Relating to active monitoring of changes concerning Sections 1796, 1810, and 1854, which deal with the Tax Appeals Commission in the Department of Revenue.
  - Position: Active Monitoring
  - Final Status: Changes made by Legislature match requested changes by section
  - Bill Text

Lobbying Sections

*Agriculture and Agribusiness

This section is made up of attorneys who specialize or have a strong interest in agriculture and the businesses that serve farms and farmers.

*Alternative Dispute Resolution

Members are attorneys and judges who promote and develop alternative methods of dispute resolution. Their mission is to encourage lawyers, courts and the public to embrace alternative dispute resolution, which is commonly referred to as ADR. Additionally, members train mediators and arbitrators, and teach lawyers how to serve as advocates in ADR proceedings. The section works to develop standards for the growing profession, and coordinates activities with other ADR organizations. Members also assist practitioners in their pursuit of careers in ADR-related professions.

*Bankruptcy Insolvency & Creditors' Rights

This section focuses on bankruptcy, insolvency and creditors' rights. Specifically, members work on developing the law, increasing communication between practitioners, and improving the standards of the profession.

*Business Law

This section brings together members who work in the fields of corporation, banking, partnership, securities, antitrust, trade regulation, commercial law, employer-employee relations, insurance, intellectual property and other areas of business law. Members are focused on developing and improving the law in their areas of expertise.

*Children & the Law

Section members include judges, court commissioners, prosecutors, guardians ad litem, agency attorneys and private practice attorneys who represent various parties including children, parents, and grandparents as well as agencies that serve children.

*Civil Rights and Liberties

This section is made up of individuals who work in the legal fields of Civil Rights and Constitutional Rights. These fields address issues such as:

Freedom of Speech
Religious Liberty
Personal Liberty
Property
Due Process
Equal Protection
Rights of Women
Rights of Minorities
Rights of Persons with Physical and Mental Disabilities

*Criminal Law

This section represents more than 600 judges, prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys, and academics with the purpose of improving the practice of criminal law in Wisconsin and promoting respect and fairness.

*Construction

This section is made up of attorneys who specialize in construction law and government contracts.

*Elder Law and Special Needs

Practitioners in this section work to protect the rights of elderly clients and consumers. Their mission is to develop and improve laws that affect the elderly, and promote high standards of performance and expertise for those who practice in the area.

*Family Law

This section is made up of approximately 1,100 attorneys, guardians ad litem, family court commissioners, and judges from throughout Wisconsin who have a special interest in family law. Most members specialize in family law, and work with families involved in separations, divorce, and post-divorce issues. The section also welcomes experts from related fields, such as psychology, counseling, and social work.

*Health Law

This section addresses issues such as health care, bioethics, managed care and risk management.

*Indian Law

This section provides support to attorneys in their relations with any individual, group or other entity that is involved with issues of concern to American Indians.

*Litigation

The Litigation Section brings together members who have an interest in civil litigation, insurance law, and tort law.

*Public Interest Law

This section provides a forum for public interest lawyers statewide to discuss and promote public interest issues and concerns. Members are involved in the following areas:

Issues affecting low-income and underrepresented persons
Government Benefits
Consumer Protection
Housing
Disability Rights
Elder Law
Access to Health Care
Constitutional/Civil Rights
Environmental Justice
Fair Employment/Labor
Women's Rights
Reproductive Health Care

*Real Property, Probate and Trust

This section develops and recommends changes to laws pertaining to issues in real property, trusts and probate matters.

*Taxation

This section provides information on federal and state tax issues that directly affect practitioners in Wisconsin.

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