Skip to main content
Link to news home page
News

Capitol Capsules

March 21, 2000

Capitol Capsules

Legislation sent to the governor
With just a few weeks remaining in the legislative session, the following bills have been approved by both houses of the legislature and sent to the governor, who has until May 18 to take action.

  • Auditing: AB 432 would allow persons 60 years of age and older to audit courses for free.
  • Savings: AB 654 would create a College Savings Program.
  • Animal health: SB 358 would transfer the State Animal Health Lab to the university.

Tuition remission advances
The Assembly has passed a bill (AB 114) that establishes tuition remission for families of emergency medical personnel killed in the line of duty, passed the Assembly March 14. The bill was sent to the Senate Education Committee, which was to hold a hearing on the bill today, March 22, 11 a.m., 411 South, State Capitol.

Committees advance bills
Other measures may yet make it to the Assembly or Senate floors. In other legislative action last week:

  • The Senate Education Committee had a hearing on AB 203, requiring sprinkler systems in dorms.
  • The Senate Education Committee had a hearing on AB 736, covering the funding of study abroad grants.
  • The Assembly Education Committee had a hearing on AB 865, establishing grants to start reading academies to improve the ways elementary school teachers provide reading instruction.

Student regent, nomination face committee scrutiny
The Senate Education Committee today, March 22, will consider the appointment of student Joseph Alexander to the UW Board of Regents. The committee also is expected to take up a bill·(SB 466), introduced by Sen. Richard Grobschmidt, D-S. Milwaukee, that would require the governor to appoint two student Regents, one of whom must be selected from a list prepared by representatives of student governments. 11 a.m., 411 South, state Capitol.

On the Assembly side, Rep. Julie Lassa, D-Plover, has introduced legislation (AB 877) that would require the student appointee to the Board of Regents to be selected by the governor from a list prepared by elected representatives of student governments. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Colleges and Universities.

Tax credit for education expenses
Senator Kevin Shibilski, D-Amherst, has introduced legislation (SB 482) that provides an income and franchise tax credit to businesses for expenses paid on behalf of an undergraduate student eligible for certain forms of financial aid. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development.

DPI chief won’t seek third term
Department of Public Instruction Superintendent John Benson has announced that he will not seek a third term in 2001. He was elected to the nonpartisan office in 1993 and 1997. As superintendent, Benson serves on the Board of Regents.

More information
The text and history of all legislation can be found at www.legis.state.wi.us/ billtext.html. The university’s state relations staff works to raise awareness of the value and impact of UW–Madison on Wisconsin and improve the relationship between the university and state government leaders. For information visit the State Relations Web site or contact Charles B. Hoslet, special assistant to the chancellor for state relations: hoslet@mail.bascom.wisc.edu, or Kristi Voss, legislative assistant: kvoss@mail.bascom.wisc.edu. Both are in 97 Bascom Hall, 263-5510.