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The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the May issue of the Capitol Connection.

Inside this issue

Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Nine Gov. Evers Vetoes

In what was likely their final action of the 2023-2024 legislative session, the Wisconsin State Senate earlier this month used a “veto review period” to override nine vetoes issued by Governor Tony Evers.

With the implementation of new legislative…
Continue Reading Capitol Connection, May 2024

stock photo of U.S. Capitol building and flag​​

May 1, 2024 – As we prepare to commemorate
Law Day on May 1, 2024, I invite all Wisconsinites to reflect upon the enduring significance of this annual observance.

This year, the American Bar Association (ABA) has chosen the theme “The Voices of Democracy,” which aligns with the foundational principles of our legal system and the essence of our nation’s democratic ethos.

Annette K. Ziegler headshot
Annette Kingsland Ziegler, Marquette 1989, is chief justice of the
Wisconsin Supreme Court, Madison.

President

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Continue Reading Law Day 2024: Honoring Our Legal Heritage and Democratic Values

Signing of judicial security legislation

March 27, 2024 – State Bar of Wisconsin President Dean R. Dietrich lauded the enactment of bipartisan judicial security legislation today.

The package of three bills aims to bolster security for judicial officers by protecting personal information and shielding judges’ residences from protestors.

The bills were authored by Representatives Ron Tusler (R-Harrison), Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee), and Sheila Stubbs (D-Madison), and Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and former Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee). Governor Tony Evers signed the bills into law during

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Continue Reading State Bar of Wisconsin President Lauds Enactment of Judicial Security Bills

Dec. 11, 2023 – Following a busy fall floor period, legislators have begun the process of wrapping up their work over what is expected to be an active January and February floor session. There is always a sense of urgency by legislators at this time to get their priorities and business done as quickly as possible to avoid being caught up in any last-minute session wrangling that may impact the passage of pending legislation.

Currently, the legislature has their

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Continue Reading Expect Flurry of Action as Legislature Prepares to Finish 2023-24 Session

The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to the November issue of the Capitol Connection.

Inside this issue

Legislature Stands Adjourned Until Mid-January

On Tuesday, both the Assembly and Senate concluded the legislature’s business until after the holidays. Three major proposals will now move on to Governor Evers’ desk for a signature or veto.

TOP THREE ISSUES OF INTEREST

1. American Family Field

The Senate amended…
Continue Reading Capitol Connection, November 2023

Wisconsin State Capitol Building - Madison, WI
Wisconsin State Capitol Building on a sunny spring day

October 18, 2023
In this issue:

WELCOME TO THE RUDER WARE CAPITOL CONNECTION

The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison.

As such, our public affairs team monitors state government activities to identify legislative proposals and executive regulations that may be of interest to the firm’s clients.

To find out more about a specific legislative proposal or how Ruder Ware can create a custom monitoring plan to fit…
Continue Reading Capitol Connection, October 2023

Wisconsin State Capitol
The Wisconsin state capitol dome in Madison, Wisconsin.

September 15, 2023
In this issue:

WELCOME TO THE RUDER WARE CAPITOL SNAPSHOT

The ever-changing landscape of state government requires businesses across all industries to stay informed on the happenings in Madison. Welcome to Ruder Ware’s Capitol Connection. Director of Public Affairs John Jacobson will provide nonpartisan news and analysis from Madison regarding workforce development, changes in tax and regulation, and other general topics that may impact you or your business.

NOTE FROM PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR JOHN JACOBSON

After…
Continue Reading Capitol Connection: September 2023 Issue

For the unemployment bills — AB147, AB149, AB150, and AB152 — recently passed by the legislature, I am urging Governor Evers to veto these bills in this letter.

I understand you are busy with the budget bills recently passed by the legislature.

But, the above-referenced unemployment bills recently passed by the legislature are also on your desk, and I urge you to veto them for the reasons indicated in my analysis of the bills at…
Continue Reading Letter to Governor Evers

The recent shared revenue bill negotiated, passed, and signed by the Wisconsin State Legislature and Governor Evers made statutory changes to regulating nonmetallic quarry operations. These changes balance local authority and the need for construction materials (e.g., gravel, crushed stone, and sand) while ensuring safety and regulatory consistency.
Local Regulation
Local political subdivisions may still enact nonmetallic mining ordinances requiring a conditional use permit or a nonmetallic mining license. Any new regulation requiring such permit or license will not…
Continue Reading New Law Addresses Nonmetallic Mining Regulations

On April 6, 2023, Governor Tony Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 4 (“Act 4” or the “Act”) into law, which will have widespread impacts on the classification of jailers employed by Wisconsin counties under the Wisconsin Retirement System (“WRS”) as of January 1, 2024 (the Act’s effective date). Act 4 will impact all counties, including those that presently classify jailers as “general employees” for WRS purposes. Although there are still some unknowns arising out of Act 4, below are…
Continue Reading 2023 Wisconsin Act 4

With the April 2023 election, an incredibly general, state-wide advisory ballot question about people on welfare needing to work passed by wide margins.

The Wisconsin legislature has taken that passage as a message to suddenly revamp and fine tune unemployment eligibility without actually fixing any of the problems with unemployment claim-filing in this state.

First some background.

It is vital to know that unemployment claim-filing is now in 2023 much, much different from what used to occur.

Year Claimants

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Continue Reading Legislature pushes a bunch of no-reform unemployment proposals

The Speak Out Act (“Act”) became law on December 7, 2022.  The Act prohibits the enforcement of non-disclosure or non-disparagement provisions which are agreed to prior to an allegation of sexual assault or sexual harassment (“sexual misconduct”).  The Act applies to disputes regarding alleged sexual misconduct that occur after December 7, 2022.  A full version of the Act can be found here.

“Me Too” Motivations

By enacting the Act, Congress’s goal is to “empower survivors to come forward,…
Continue Reading New Non-Disclosure and Non-Disparagement Restrictions – “Me Too” Movement’s Continued Impact on the Workplace

On December 7, 2022, President Biden signed into law a bipartisan bill to promote disclosure of reports of sexual harassment or assault—the Speak Out Act (the Act). The Act follows the #MeToo-inspired legislation, signed on March 3, 2022, that restricts mandatory arbitration agreements for sexual harassment claims, discussed here.

The Act prevents courts from enforcing any pre-dispute nondisclosure and non-disparagement provisions related to sexual assault and sexual harassment. Employers should note that the Act applies to both employees…
Continue Reading “Speak Out Act” Prevents Enforcement of Pre-Dispute Nondisclosure Provisions Related to Sex Assault

On December 7, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Speak Out Act.  One purpose of the Act is to empower survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment to come forward by nullifying the enforceability of pre-dispute non-disclosure and non-disparagement contract clauses relating to disputes involving sexual assault or sexual harassment.  The Act arises out of the #MeToo Movement and is evidence that the movement is gaining renewed momentum following a period of quiet during the COVID pandemic.
Protecting…
Continue Reading “Speak Out Act” Against Sexual Assault & Sexual Harassment Signed Into Law

Condominium associations and their property managers should be aware of a new subsection (1r) added by the Wisconsin State Legislature to the 2021 Wisconsin Act 166 requiring condominium associations of 100 units or more to maintain a website that satisfies the conditions listed below by April 1, 2023. Those that do not comply may face enforcement actions brought by the association members, the unit owners.

The website must meet the following criteria:

  • Be wholly owned and operated by the

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Continue Reading New Website Requirement for Wisconsin Condominium Associations and Their Property Managers

Recently, the Wisconsin Legislature adopted several new statutes related to family law.  This is the third installment of those legislative changes, and the adoption of the Uniform Deployed Custody and Visitation Act is one of the more substantive additions to this series.         

2021 Wisconsin Act 161, or the Uniform Deployed Custody and Visitation Act, is a piece of Uniform Law Commission Legislation (hereafter, “Code”), which is currently enacted in 14 states.[i] Effective March 13, 2022, in Wisconsin, it…
Continue Reading Statutory Updates in Family Law, Part III