Contact:
Anne Lupardus, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Signs Important Economic Development Legislation,
Strengthens Laws on Contracting Out Government Services
Governor Jim Doyle signed 15 bills into law at a ceremony this morning in the Governor’s Conference Room at the State Capitol.
Two of the bills the Governor signed will promote economic development in Wisconsin. Assembly Bill 464 assists cities and counties in the cleanup of additional environmentally contaminated properties (brownfields) so they can be revitalized into productive, job-creating properties.
“This bill expands the definition of brownfield to include residential properties, significantly expanding the program’s ability to restore land back to productive use,” Governor Doyle said. “But this is about more than just renewing vacant land – it’s about renewing the pride of communities, and I am pleased to sign this bill into law.”
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Jason Fields and Mark Honadel, as well as Senators Ted Kanavas, Alberta Darling, and Julie Lassa for their work on the bill.
The Governor also signed Senate Bill 290, which makes improvements to the administration of early stage seed and angel investment income and franchise tax credits, making them easier to claim for investors.
“Angel investors are an essential part of company development and growth, providing investment in the early – and most critical – stages of business formation,” Governor Doyle said. “This bill will encourage more angel investors to risk capital at that level, helping us turn more of our research and ideas into viable, job-creating businesses.”
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Ted Kanavas and Luther Olsen, as well as Representatives Ann Nischke and Karl Van Roy for their work on the bill.
In addition to the two economic development bills, Governor Doyle signed Assembly Bill 105, which will enhance the efficiency with which the state uses taxpayer dollars by requiring additional cost benefit analysis for service contracts over $25,000 and the periodic review of state service contracts – imposing uniform procurement processes across state government.
“My Administration has made major progress in tightening up the system to make sure every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely, and that the state gets a good deal,” Governor Doyle said. “We have cancelled contracts, consolidated contracts, and re-bid contracts – in one case saving $93 million on a single contract that had not been competitively bid in ten years. This bill further tightens the system by ensuring a uniform procurement environment across state government. It is a strong bi-partisan, pro-worker, pro-taxpayer reform, and I am proud to sign it into law.”
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Mark Gottlieb and Scott Jensen, as well as Senators Rob Cowles and Mike Ellis for their work on the bill.
Governor Doyle also signed the following bills:
Assembly Bill 40 allows law enforcement agencies to keep a portion of the money forfeited from a drug crime, creating greater incentive for the agencies to collect and process this money, and thereby generating additional resources for the Common School Fund, benefiting school libraries across the state.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Garey Bies and Jason Fields, as well as Senator Alan Lasee for their work on this bill.
Assembly Bill 167 grants school districts greater investment authority in meeting the increasing demands of post-employment benefits, and helps sustain a valuable retirement resource for Wisconsin school employees.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Debi Towns, Jean Hundertmark, and Louis Molepske, as well as Senators Luther Olsen and Glenn Grothman for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 384 creates additional opportunities for youth participation in hunting and fishing by allowing preference points or preference categories relating to hunting and trapping privileges to be transferred to any minor in the event of a preference holder’s death.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Scott Gunderson, Steve Kestell, and Barbara Gronemus, as well as Senators Joe Leibham, Cathy Stepp, and Russ Decker for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 385 allows health care providers to be designated as a state agent when they volunteer to provide services in a public health emergency, protecting the volunteer provider by making the state liable for any worker’s compensation or other claims made against them.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Mike Huebsch, Lee Nerison and Jennifer Shilling, as well as Senators Carol Roessler and Ted Kanavas for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 512 provides increased warning to drivers near railroad crossings by requiring additional traffic control devices.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives John Ainsworth and Sheryl Albers, as well as Senators Rob Cowles and Roger Breske for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 522 improves the safety of children by requiring a court to examine the criminal records of stepparents, boyfriends/girlfriends, or roommates of parents or potential custodians before awarding custody of a child.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Jeff Wood, Andy Lamb, and Barbara Gronemus, as well as Senators Sheila Harsdorf and Julie Lassa for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 627 will upgrade and modernize our election system by ensuring that new touch screen voting machines produce a verifiable paper ballot, providing the additional requirements necessary to maintain the integrity of Wisconsin elections.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Mark Pocan and Steve Freese, as well as Senators Jeff Plale and Tim Carpenter for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 684 requires that prior to altering a park entrance to Perrot State Park, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must obtain approval from the town that has jurisdiction over the road on which the entrance is located, codifying a decision already made by the DNR.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Barbara Gronemus and Mike Huebsch, as well as Senators Ron Brown and Dan Kapanke for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 4 gives boards and citizens the ability to reduce the size of their governments without waiting for a decennial census to do it.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Ted Kanavas and Ron Brown, as well as Representatives Gregg Underheim, Scott Suder, and Jennifer Shilling for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 21 ends the provisions of 2003 Wisconsin Act 193 for all Wisconsin counties regardless of population, bringing all counties in line with Milwaukee County with regard to ordinances relating to drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
Governor Doyle thanked Senator Neal Kedzie, as well as Representatives Steve Nass, Mark Gundrum, and Tony Staskunas for their work on this bill.
Senate Bill 146 makes a technical correction to current law to allow counties to participate in revenue sharing agreements.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Dan Kapanke, Ron Brown, and Bob Wirch, as well as Representatives Steve Wieckert, Mike Huebsch, and Jennifer Shilling for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 175 allows UW-Platteville to purchase the Governor Dodge Hotel in Platteville to convert it into university housing and space for university related activities, providing a timely and cost-effective solution to the need for additional space on the UW-Platteville campus.
Governor Doyle thanked Senator Dale Schultz and Representatives Gabe Loeffelholz and Jennifer Shilling for their work on this bill.
