Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations staff updated the committee on state legislation and the city's planned positions on Jan. 12.

Katie Yager described assembly bill 713 and senate bill 702, a battery product stewardship package the city supports: the bills would set handling requirements for discarded batteries and establish collection/processing timelines to reduce fire risks when batteries are improperly disposed. Staff said Milwaukee Fire Department and DPW reviewed the bill and recommended support with a few technical changes that sponsors are discussing.

Justin Morales and another staffer briefed members on a joint resolution moving through the legislature that would place a constitutional amendment on the statewide ballot to prohibit certain DEI-related work; if passed by two successive legislatures and approved by voters, the amendment would change Wisconsin's constitution. Morales said the joint resolution has passed out of committee and would go to the floor shortly, and there is limited legislative ability to stop the resolution other than outreach and advocacy.

Staff also briefed the committee on a four-bill gun-safety package—safe-storage requirements for retail and private sales, an affirmative duty to report lost or stolen firearms, and trigger-lock/safe-box requirements at gun shows—saying the bills were unlikely to gain traction this session but could be reintroduced next session. The city intends to register support and continue technical conversations with sponsors where staff recommended adjustments.

Committee members asked about timing, bill status and how the city will engage as bills move in Madison; staff said they will continue engagement and report back on substantive changes or amendments.