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Committee hears state and federal legislative updates: postpartum Medicaid extension stalls in Assembly; reckless-driving impound bill advances
Summary
Intergovernmental Relations staff updated the committee March 17 on several bills of local interest, including a stalled postpartum Medicaid-extension in the Assembly and an impoundment bill for reckless driving that advanced after a technical amendment.
Intergovernmental Relations Division staff on March 17 briefed the Judiciary and Legislation Committee on several state and federal legislative items of local interest.
Highlights
- Pharmacist contraceptive authority (Senate Bill 42): Staff reported SB 42, which would expand pharmacists ability to provide contraceptives, received an executive hearing and passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Health.
- Postpartum Medicaid extension (Senate Bill 23 / Assembly Bill 97): The city and committee remain supportive of extending postpartum medical-assistance eligibility. Staff told the committee the measure passed the Senate committee unanimously but that the Assembly leadership had indicated no interest in taking it up at this time.
- Reckless-driving vehicle impoundment (Senate Bill 65 / Assembly Bill 78): The bill, drafted in response to city concerns about high-speed reckless driving, advanced quickly. The Assembly passed the bill on a voice vote after a technical amendment broadened impound authority to apply whether an officer issues a citation or refers criminal charges; staff said the city attorneys office, MPD and partners helped identify that language. The bill was under consideration in the Senate.
- State recognitions and other items: Senate Joint Resolution 6 honoring Bob Euchre was scheduled for a senate floor vote; Assembly Joint Resolution 5 (proclaiming February as Black History Month) had passed the Assembly after several years without a joint resolution. Staff also noted several other floor items and encouraged council members to notify IRD if they wanted to participate in Madison hearings.
Why it matters: The updates show where municipal priorities intersect with state policy (health coverage and public-safety tools) and how the city engages with state lawmakers to shape language and technical fixes.
Sources: Katie Yeager and Jordan Primico of the Intergovernmental Relations Division provided the briefing; staff noted coordination with the city attorney, MPD and VISIT Milwaukee where relevant.
