— The Assembly Housing and Real Estate Committee will hold a public hearing on a series of housing bills today, including one to delay the enforcement of the new commercial building code until April 2026. The Department of Safety and Professional Services initially sought to bring Wisconsin in line with the 2021 International Building Code standards two years ago, but the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules blocked implementation of the changes. AB 450 comes after the state Supreme Court ruled the Legislature can’t indefinitely block administrative rules in a lawsuit Dem Gov. Tony Evers filed over the building codes and other proposals from his administration. Since the Supreme Court ruling, DSPS has twice delayed enforcement of the new code — first from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1, and then from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1. Secretary Dan Hereth has said the grace period will help ensure a smooth transition for the building industry. Meanwhile, Sen. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, and Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, are circulating a letter for lawmakers to sign asking Hereth to delay the building code changes until April 2026 to prevent construction projects from being delayed or halted altogether. “Doing so will not only give everyone in the Wisconsin construction industry time to acclimate to the new building rules and regulations, but also allow long-planned projects to go forward rather than literally going back to the drawing board,” they wrote. A DSPS spokesperson declined to comment on AB 450, saying the agency generally doesn’t respond to proposed legislation. Asked if DSPS would extend the grace period again, DSPS referred WisPolitics to a past release announcing the delay to Nov. 1. AB 450 is one of several proposals on the Housing and Real Estate Committee’s agenda that Chair Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, announced as part of a new affordable housing package last week. That includes bills related to a workforce home loan program, local regulation of accessory dwelling units and a condominium conversion reimbursement grant program. — Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce awarded nine companies its Business Friend of the Environment award. The award is given to companies that demonstrate they have made a significant improvement in sustainability, environmental stewardship or environmental innovation. “Businesses know that doing right by the environment is the right thing to do,” Adam Jordahl, WMC director of environmental and energy policy, said. “Employees, customers, and the public expect businesses to act responsibly and respect the environment, and Wisconsin employers have a long history of exceeding those expectations.” The winners are: Performance Pallet – Seymour Masters Gallery Foods – Plymouth Ashley Furniture Industries – Arcadia Torrance Casting – La Crosse WPS – A Health Solutions Company – Madison Charter Steel – Saukville Lake and Pond Solutions – Elkhorn Pepper Construction – Milwaukee KHS USA – Waukesha See the release. — WMC also has a new poster out to show off items made in Wisconsin. Wisconsin companies sold over $209 billion in manufactured goods last year, and the new poster that displays 51 products made in the state is meant to showcase what Wisconsin manufacturers have to offer. Products range from paper to soda, cranberry sauce, robotic welders, tractors, motorcycle engines, warships, rifles and soy sauce. — Three GOP lawmakers are taking another run at legalizing medicinal marijuana after past efforts have bogged down between the Assembly and Senate due to differences over how it would be distributed. Sens. Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, and Pat Testin, R-Stevens Point, and Rep. Pat Snyder, R-Weston, said the latest legislation would create a program to license growers, processors, labs and dispensaries. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, insisted last session any attempt to legalize medical marijuana would have to include state-run dispensaries. He has raised concerns that private dispensaries would eventually lead to full legalization. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans objected to creating new state positions to run the five proposed dispensaries in the Assembly GOP version. — Johnson Financial Group is renovating and expanding its Madison-area offices. The largest privately held, family-owned financial services company in the state, according to the Better Business Bureau, announced its offices in Madison and Sun Prairie are undergoing renovations and expansion projects. “We meet our customers where they are, which drives our continued investment in updating and adding new branches across Wisconsin, growing and deepening our sole focus on the state,” CEO Jim Popp said. “Our expanded capacity in Madison is just part of our commitment to the region.” See the release. — Ripon College is hosting a panel discussion tonight on what’s next for Wisconsin in global trade and local impacts. The discussion will cover how global shifts in trade policy shape Wisconsin’s factories, farms, and communities. The event, including the cohosts of WisBusiness’ “Talking Trade” podcast, starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall, Hardwood Memorial Union. Panelists include: Sandi Siegel, president of M.E. Dey & Co., and co-host of the “Talking Trade” podcast Ken Wasylik, managing director of E.M. Wasylik Associates, and co-host of the “Talking Trade“ podcast Soren Hauge, Professor of Economics at Ripon College Joshua Mechaelsen, District 8 Director, Wisconsin Farmers Union You can also watch the event virtually here. Watch the Talking Trade podcast here. — The World Dairy Expo today in Madison kicks off with the International Jersey and Ayrshire Shows, showcasing some of the world’s best dairy cows. The rest of the day’s schedule includes multiple Knowledge Nook sessions on everything from methane reduction to new fly control strategies and postbiotics improvements. The trade show is set to last all day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with the Top of the World Jersey Sale last on the calendar. See rest of the schedule here. — Wisconsin and New York youth took home the top honors in the World Dairy Expo’s Youth Showmanship Contest. Out of 456 competitors across three age categories, at least one Wisconsinite placed in the top three of each category. Paige Zimmerman, of Brodhead, placed third in the junior, age 9-13, category. William Zimmerman, of Brodhead, and Justin Brandel, of Lake Mills, took home first and second, respectively, in the intermediate, age 14-16, category. Logan Harbaugh, of Marion, was at the top of the board in the senior, age 17-21 category. See the release. TOP STORIES Buc-ee’s buys site for Oak Creek store Wisconsin regulators approve first wind farm in 14 years TOPICS AGRIBUSINESS – Wisconsin Forestry Bill Backs New Biorefinery Project – Wisconsin Approves Badger Hollow Wind Energy Project ECONOMY – Oneida’s Ernie Stevens Jr., led tribes to record revenues as gaming association chairman – Business recovery centers open in Washington, Waukesha counties to support flood victims FINANCIAL SERVICES – Fiserv acquires New York-based StoneCastle Cash Management – Fiserv acquires Florida-based Smith Consulting Group MANAGEMENT – Raven Software’s Brian Raffel to speak at Cap Times Power Hour MANUFACTURING – 5 questions to consider at BizTimes Manufacturing Summit MINING – Drilling reveals copper, gold deposits in northern Wisconsin as mining exploration increases REAL ESTATE – Office building on Milwaukee’s west side sold at sheriff’s sale – Kenosha mayor confident in data center project after meeting Microsoft’s president PRESS RELEASES See these and other press releases – Potawatomi Casino Hotel: 2025 Heart of Canal Street celebration is underway – World Dairy Expo: Wisconsin youth shine at 2025 World Dairy Expo Youth Showmanship Contest
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