Legislative Update

The Legislature acted on two bills mentioned last week:

  • AB 7 (Voter ID) The Senate, after two days of rancorous debate, passed the proposal 19-5 on Thursday, May 19. Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) was speaking against the bill when Senate Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) called for a vote. Several Democrats either missed the vote in the confusion or abstained from voting in protest. The governor is expected to sign the bill into law Wednesday.
  • SB 28 (Geographic representation of the Board of Regents) The bill passed the Senate 25-7 on Tuesday, May 17. It has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities for further action.

The Government Accountability Board (GAB) announced today that challenges to three recall efforts failed, clearing the way for recall elections in July. Unless delayed by a court challenge, Republican Senators Randy Hopper of Fond du Lac, Dan Kapanke of La Crosse, and Luther Olsen of Ripon will each face a Democratic challenger on July 12. The GAB will meet again on May 31 to discuss challenges to six additional recall efforts — 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans.