— The Wisconsin Paper Council says a bill to ban foreign adversaries from owning ag land could impact paper companies in Wisconsin. AB 30 defines “foreign adversary” as a foreign government or nongovernment person that the U.S. Commerce secretary has determined engages in conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the U.S. or U.S. citizens. An amendment offered by bill author Rep. William Penterman, R-Hustisford, would expand the prohibition to any real property owned by a foreign adversary. Foreign adversaries would include China, Cuba, Iran, Russia and North Korea. Scott Suder, president of the Wisconsin Paper Council, during an Assembly Agriculture Committee public hearing said the Paper Council believes the intent of the legislation is well-meaning. But he also raised concerns over the “overly broad and arguably ambiguous language” in the bill. He mentioned ND Paper, a company that Suder said employs hundreds of people in Barron and Sturtevant. “The legislation before you does create some uncertainty for companies like ND, which even though incorporated in the United States, could unintentionally fall victim to the vague and uncertain language as currently drafted,” Suder argued. The Legislative Council attorney assigned to the committee said U.S. citizens wouldn’t have to divest ownership of a business in Wisconsin unless it could be proved a foreign adversary is somehow indirectly or directly controlling the business. Still, Suder said he would like to work with bill authors to address concerns from the paper industry. — Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce today raised concern over a manufacturer disclosure provision in a bill that would create a lemon law for tractors. AB 31 would create a lemon law for tractors and other farm equipment that would require manufacturers to offer a replacement if it cannot repair an issue after four visits to the dealer, or if the product is out of service under repair for 30 days or more. Before reselling the returned farm implement, the manufacturer or authorized dealer would have to disclose the reasons it was returned. WMC Director of Tax, Transportation & Legal Affairs Evan Umpir during an Assembly Agriculture Committee public hearing noted several other states have lemon laws for tractors, but most don’t include the disclosure provision. He argued that provision would make Wisconsin less competitive. And while issues with newer equipment do happen, manufacturers have a reputation they rely on. “That’s why we have warranties,” he said. “This is the private sector working out, when issues do arise, addressing those fixes that need to be made or otherwise making the consumer whole.” He added “it would make no sense” for a manufacturer to resell a farm implement that was lemon lawed without first rectifying the issue that caused it to be bought back, because doing so would mean the implement could be subject to the lemon law again. Committee Chair Travis Tranel, R-Cuba City, who is a dairy farmer, argued many farmers are frustrated with the lack of reliability of newer equipment compared to older tech, noting it’s not always the manufacturer’s fault, and instead it’s the fault of government regulations. Tranel said he is following an online auction in which bids for a 2002 John Deere tractor have already reached about $96,000. Tranel said his dad bought nearly the same tractor new in 2002 for $60,000. “And it’s because farmers would rather use old equipment because they know it’s reliable,” he said. “And so if farmers are going to be forced to spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars on equipment that isn’t reliable, I do think that we as a state that relies on agriculture heavily should be protecting them to some degree.” Umpir said he’d like to continue to talk with lawmakers to work on the bill language. — A Republican bill to legalize medical marijuana is up for public comment in the Senate Health Committee today. The latest version of the proposal from Sens. Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, and Pat Testin, R-Stevens Point, and Rep. Pat Snyder, R-Weston, would create a program to license growers, processors, labs and dispensaries. The rub last year over legalizing medical marijuana was over how dispensaries should be treated. Assembly Speaker Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said the facilities would have to be state-run. Senate Republicans balked. SB 534 does not include any mention of state-run dispensaries. Rather, dispensary licenses would only be given to those who live in Wisconsin or offices where at least 80% of the company’s board members are Wisconsinites. Licensees would also have to prove to the state their facilities have “sufficient security features,” among other requirements. Dispensaries would only be able to provide patients up to a 30-day supply of cannabis the first time a patient picks up their subscription. They’d be able to provide up to 90-days’ supply after that. Dispensary licenses would cost $5,000 per year. Only those 18 and older would be able to get a medical marijuana card after paying a $20 fee. Anyone convicted of a felony would have their card revoked. The list of medical conditions that would qualify someone for a card include cancer, seizures or epilepsy, glaucoma, severe chronic pain, severe muscle spasms, severe chronic nausea, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease and any terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of less than a year. Watch the hearing here. — Wisconsin Environmental Initiative Co-founder John Imes is joining The American Sustainable Business Network today in Madison to talk about clean energy in purple states. Imes, who’s also the village president of Shorewood Hills next to Madison, is set to join Keystone Research Center Executive Director Stephen Herzenberg in midafternoon for the “Purple State, Green Momentum” session. They’re set to talk about how purple states are building resilient, profitable and sustainable economies that deliver lower bills, good jobs and cleaner air. There is also an in-person reception starting at 5 p.m. at 100State in downtown Madison. Register for the evening event here. TOP STORIES Man charged with stalking, accused of sending Wisconsin’s chief justice intimidating emails Republican Eric Toney is running again for Wisconsin attorney general 700,000 Wisconsinites could lose food stamp benefits if shutdown continues TOPICS AGRIBUSINESS – 2025 Badger Crops and Soils Update Meetings EDUCATION – Jill Underly calls for updating teacher licensing systems, state laws ENVIRONMENT – Conservationist and community advocate Roger Boerner has died LEGAL – Man sues Airbnb after family members die in Juneau County cabin fire MANAGEMENT – Wisconsin Club names new president MANUFACTURING REAL ESTATE – Housing project in South Milwaukee delayed to 2026 start – Two area industrial buildings leased to Saelens sold for $16 million to New York investment firm – Southeast Wisconsin industrial real estate sector has strong third quarter TECHNOLOGY – TDS Telecom to bring high-speed internet network to Lake Geneva area PRESS RELEASES See these and other press releases – XPEL, Road America: Announce extended partnership for the XPEL Grand Prix presented by AMR
