Governor Doyle Signs Legislation Increasing Nursing Home Funding
Governor Doyle Signs Legislation Increasing Nursing Home Funding
Signs 25 Other Bills Relating to the Building Industry, Financial Institutions, Education, and Snowmobiles
Governor Jim Doyle today signed 26 pieces of legislation into law. Among the bills Governor Doyle signed today was Assembly Bill 981, which implements a bipartisan agreement reached by Governor Doyle to provide a 2.8-percent increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate for nursing home care.
"This increase is possible because my administration has worked hard to cut costs and save money within the Medicaid program, and because our revenues are increasing as the economy grows," Governor Doyle said. "This is a victory for Wisconsin seniors, a sign that our fiscal responsibility is paying off, and an example of how Democrats and Republicans can work together to make important progress for the people of Wisconsin."
The 2.8-percent increase over the next two years represents $11.4 million in state funding, and will bring the state an additional $15.4 million in federal funding. The Governor reached the agreement with Representative Dean Kaufert and Senator Scott Fitzgerald -- co-chairs of the Legislature's budget writing Joint Finance Committee.
Governor Doyle also signed the following bills:
Senate Bill 516 sets new education and certification requirements for individuals applying for a building permit to construct one- and two-family homes.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Dave Zien and Fred Risser, as well as Representative Scott Suder for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 448 limits litigation between homeowners and contractors by creating a dispute resolution process.
The Governor thanked Senators Luther Olsen and Cathy Stepp, as well as Representatives Steve Wieckert and Jennifer Shilling for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 146 gives greater authority to local governments to agree to contracts making local construction contracting more efficient.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Mark Gottlieb and Tony Staskunas, as well as Senators Glenn Grothman and Jon Erpenbach for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 1077 requires a county or municipal government to use impact fees within seven years or refund the developer. Impact fees are charges municipalities and counties may impose on a developer to pay for the public capital costs associated with development.
Governor Doyle thanked Representative Andy Lamb, as well as Senator Cathy Stepp for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 450 makes changes to the application of construction liens in various building projects.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Dave Zien and Ron Brown, as well as Representative Terry Moulton for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 127 prohibits any individuals from falsifying a title insurance commitment, a title insurance policy, or any other written evidence regarding the state of title to real estate.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives John Townsend and John Lehman, as well as Senators Carol Roessler and Mark Miller for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 650 provides a new mechanism to transfer property after the death of a property owner.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Gary Sherman and Eugene Hahn, as well as Senators Fred Risser and Ron Brown for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 904 changes the process through which a town planning commission is appointed.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Carol Owens and Bobby Gronemus, as well as Senators Glenn Grothman and Roger Breske for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 620 requires local governments to provide certain notice to property owners whose property might be affected by zoning or other changes.
Governor Doyle thanked Representative Sheryl Albers for her work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 840 sets a night time speed limit for snowmobiles at 55 miles per hour
Governor Doyle thanked Representative Dean Kaufert and Bob Ziegelbauer, as well as Senators Scott Fitzgerald and Roger Breske.
Assembly Bill 566 sets new noise levels for snowmobiles. A snowmobile - manufactured on or after July 2, 1975 and sold in Wisconsin as new - must not exceed 88 decibels.
Governor Doyle thanked Representative Mark Pettis, as well as Senators Cathy Stepp and Roger Breske for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 986 increases penalties for individuals convicted of crimes against banks, including theft, robbery, or fraud.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Jean Hundertmark and Brett Davis, as well as Senators Cathy Stepp and Ted Kanavas for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 1036 revises the Uniform Commercial Code, keeping Wisconsin statutes consistent with national standards.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Jean Hundertmark and Jon Richards, as well as Senators Cathy Stepp and Fred Risser for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 484 allows a person from another state to practice as a certified public accountant in Wisconsin without being licensed by this state under specific conditions.
Governor Doyle thanked Senator Dave Zien, as well as Representatives Jeff Mursau and Fred Kessler for their work on the bill.
Assembly bill 1037 makes various changes to the authority of the Division of Banking over loan companies, mortgage brokers, and other financial professions.
Governor Doyle thanked Representative Jean Hundertmark, as well as Senator Cathy Stepp for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 1038 modifies the Wisconsin Probate code, correcting technical errors and clarifying previous provisions.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Jean Hundertmark and Jon Richards, as well as Senators Ted Kanavas and Fred Risser for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 584 allows state chartered banks to more readily provide services in neighboring states thus creating more competitive services for consumers.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Cathy Stepp and Jon Erpenbach, as well as Representatives Robin Vos and Louis Molepske.
Assembly Bill 308 establishes a clearinghouse for information about special education transition services and vocational opportunities.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Carol Owens and Josh Zepnick, as well as Senator Carol Roessler for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 482 eliminates the windfall that a given school district would receive in special adjustment aid if a portion of it is detached to create a new school district.
Governor Doyle thanked Senator Luther Olsen, as well as Representatives Debi Towns and John Lehman for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 259 eliminates various school district and Department of Public Instruction requirements that authorize a city to village to abolish its police department and contract for law enforcement services with a county.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Ron Brown and Bob Jauch, as well as Representatives Terry Musser and Sheryl Albers for their work on the bill.
Assembly Bill 589 provides information about meningococcal disease to parents of pupils in grades 6 to 12.
Governor Doyle thanked Representatives Andy Lamb and Sondy Pope-Roberts, as well as Senators Scott Fitzgerald and Roger Breske for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 323 provides state aid to consolidated school districts.
Governor Doyle thanked Senator Luther Olsen, as well as Representatives Debi Towns and John Lehman for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 324 allows school boards to charge a fee for transporting certain pupils to school.
Governor Doyle thanked Senator Luther Olsen, as well as Representatives Debi Towns and John Lehman for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 382 allows school districts to transport school pupils who live outside the school district.
Governor Doyle thanked Senator Luther Olsen, as well as Representative Debi Towns for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 384 allows school districts to count pupils who attend the Youth Challenge Academy for revenue limit purposes.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Luther Olsen and Jon Erpenbach, as well as Representative Sheryl Albers for their work on the bill.
Senate Bill 273 makes various changes affecting governance of libraries.
Governor Doyle thanked Senators Joe Leibham and Roger Breske, as well as Representatives Steve Freese and Donna Seidel for their work on the bill.
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