Assembly Committee Unanimously Approves Inquest Bill
September 6, 2005
This afternoon, the Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee ananimously voted to approve a bill of tremendous importance to many WPPA members. If enacted into law, Assembly Bill 263 would require public employers to reimburse law enforcement officers and other public safety employees for reasonable attorneys fees if an inquest finds no wrongdoing for actions taken in the line of duty. Introduced by State Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon), AB 263 would protect public safety employees from having to second-guess their decisions out of fear that a potential inquest could lead to financial ruin. The WPPA has spent considerable time working on this issue.
The results of today's vote were as follows:
Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee Members
| Voting For: | State Representatives Daniel LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Don Pridemore (R-Hartford), Scott Gunderson (R- Waterford), Thomas Lothian (R-Williams Bay), Mark Gottleib (R-Port Washington), Terese Berceau (D- Madison), Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee), and Joe Parisi (D-Madison) |
| Voting Against: | None |
The senate companion bill to the assembly legislation, Senate Bill 132, will likely be voted upon by the Senate Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy Committee on Tuesday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 411 South of the State Capitol. Senate Bill 132 was introduced by State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield).
WPPA members are encouraged to contact the following senate committee members to respectfully request their support.
Senate Judiciary, Corrections, and Privacy Committee Members
State Senator Dave Zien (608-266-7511)
State Senator Fred Risser (608-266-1627)
State Senator Carol Roessler (608-266-5300)
State Senator Glenn Grothman (608-266-7513)
State Senator Lena Taylor (608-266-5810)
Anyone with questions is welcome to contact Jim Palmer, WPPA Director of Governmental Affairs, either by telephone at 1-800-362-8838, or by e-mail at palmer@wppa.com.
