Assembly Approves Bill to Increase CSF Funds, Delinquent Library Account Bill

The State Assembly met for one of the last times this session on Tuesday afternoon.  Included among the proposals are several items of interest to WEMTA:

Unclaimed Savings Bonds to CSF: The Assembly unanimously voted to approve Assembly Bill 721, which would allow the state to claim savings bonds that haven't been cashed in within 5 years. The money would go into the Common School Fund. A fiscal note released by the Department of Revenue said that the fiscal effect of the bill on the Common School Fund is indeterminate. However, they estimate that they currently have possession of $500,000 worth of savings bonds that they consider unclaimed property.  AB 721 must now be approved by the Senate.

Delinquent Library Accounts: The Assembly unanimously voted to approve Assembly Bill 609/Senate Bill 466, which allows a public library to provide a collections agency or law enforcement agency with  information about patrons who have delinquent accounts.  Under the bill, a delinquent account must total $50 before it can be referred to law enforcement. The Senate previously passed this proposal on February 9. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Distance Learning Authorization Board: The Assembly unanimously approved Senate Bill 511/Assembly Bill 632 which would create a Distance Learning Authorization Board.  The Distance Learning Authorization (DLA) Board would authorize Wisconsin postsecondary institutions to offer distance education programs to students located outside of Wisconsin. The bill defines a “distance education program" as the offering of courses for credit, to students outside Wisconsin, that will lead to a degree or certificate from the institution.  The DLA Board would also be allowed to enter Wisconsin into the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is a voluntary agreement among its member states that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance-education courses and programs. It is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. The Senate passed this bill on February 9, so it may now go to the Governor for his signature.

The Assembly will meet for what is likely the last time for the 2015-17 legislative session on February 18. The Senate plans to adjourn in March.