Vol. 73, No. 10, October 2000

Legislative Watch

Legislative-Public Committees Take In-depth Look at Legal Issues

• Recently Passed Legislation

by Jenny Boese, a State Bar government relations coordinator. For more information, she can be reached at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6045, (608) 250-6045.

EVERY TWO-YEAR LEGISLATIVE session the Joint Legislative Council establishes a variety of study committees that examine major issues and problems identified by the Legislature. The study committees are made up of legislators and citizens who are knowledgeable and/or interested in the topic. Their work is done primarily during the Legislature's recess.

Study committees often will formulate legislative recommendations on the issues and, after approval by the Joint Legislative Council, those recommendations are introduced as legislation in the next legislative session.

The slate of Legislative Council study committees approved for this year include:

o Arts Funding

o Condominium Law Review

o Dental Care Access

o Developmental Disabilities

o Guardian ad Litem in Actions Affecting the Family

o Labor Shortage

o Navigable Waters Recodification

o Recodification of Operating While Intoxicated and Safety Laws Pertaining to Motor Vehicle, All-terrain Vehicle, Boat, or Snowmobile Operation

o Special Education

o State Tribal Relations

o Use of Prescription Drugs for Children

The State Bar and its practice sections will be interested in several of these study committees, including the condominium law revision, guardian ad litem, and OWI study committees.

Condominium Law Review

The Condominium Law Review Study Committee is chaired by Sen. Jon Erpenbach and Rep. Tom Sykora. Its charge is to review all aspects of condominium law, including condominium development and establishment, governance, annual budgets, reserve accounts, and ownership and rental, among other issues. The study committee also is directed to study ways to protect investments in condominiums and ways to develop the condominium form of property ownership. The study committee will report its recommendations to the Joint Legislative Council by Jan. 1, 2001.

The State Bar Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section will work closely with this study committee.

Guardian ad Litem in Actions Affecting the Family

The GAL Study Committee is chaired by Sen. Kim Plache and Rep. Mark Gundrum (an attorney). The GAL Study Committee is charged with reviewing the GAL system as it applies to actions affecting the family. The work of this committee will include review of the appointment, role, supervision, training, and compensation of guardians ad litem. The GAL Study Committee also is specifically required to review the appointment of GALs in contested custody or placement cases and whether professionals with specialized knowledge in emotional/developmental cases should be appointed as Gals

The study committee is directed to prepare a report on any recommended legislation and to petition the Wisconsin Supreme Court on GAL system reforms that are more appropriately determined under Supreme Court Rule. The study committee's recommendations are to be submitted to the Joint Legislative Council by Jan. 1, 2001.

The State Bar Family Law Section will work closely with this study committee.

OWI Recodification

The OWI Recodification Study Committee will be chaired by Sen. Brian Burke (an attorney) and Rep. Steve Freese. The OWI Study Committee is directed to undertake a recodification of current statutes relating to OWI. The committee will look at safety issues with all types of vehicles (including all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and boats) and a recodification of laws in the Criminal Code and Motor Vehicle Code in an effort to organize, modernize, and clarify provisions. The study committee is to make its recommendations to the Joint Legislative Council by Jan. 1, 2001.

The State Bar Criminal Law Section will work closely with this study committee.

Wisconsin Lawyer