INQUEST BILL UPDATE
September 2 , 2005
In the coming days, two legislative committees will vote on an issue of tremendous importance to many WPPA members. If enacted into law, this legislation will 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. Senate Bill 132, introduced by State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), and Assembly Bill 263, introduced by State Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon), 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.
Assembly Bill 263 will be voted upon by the Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee on Tuesday, September 6, at 1:00 p.m. in the North Hearing Room of the State Capitol. 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.
WPPA members are encouraged to contact the following committee members to respectfully request their support.
Assembly Urban and Local Affairs Committee Members
State Representative Daniel LeMahieu (608-266-9175)
State Represenative Don Pridemore (608-267-2367)
State Representative Scott Gunderson (608-266-3363)
State Representative Thomas Lothian (608-266-1190)
State Representative Mark Gottleib (608-2672369)
State Representative Terese Berceau (608-266-3784)
State Representative Jason Fields (608-266-3756)
State Representative Joe Parisi (608-266-5342)
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.
