The Wisconsin Joint Legislative Council has recommended a bill establishing a nanotechnology information hub within the University of Wisconsin-Extension to promote the development of nanotechnology businesses.
The proposed legislation, in part, directs the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents to maintain a nanotechnology information hub in the UW−Extension for at least 5 years. It will promote the development of nanotechnology businesses in this state and gather and disseminate information about environmental health and workplace safety related to nanotechnology. The Council’s recommendation means that the proposal will be introduced for consideration in the Legislature.
Nanotechnology appears to offer the food processing and packaging industries significant gains in terms of performance, safety and functionality. MWFPA will continue to follow this legislation closely.
The WI Joint Legislative Council, which establishes study committees to examine major issues and problems identified by the WI Legislature, will reconsider recommendations regarding the development of nanotechnology in the state.
Last May the Council voted down two measures developed by its nanotechnology committee. The first would have established a nanotechnology information hub within the University of Wisconsin-Extension to promote the development of nanotechnology businesses. The second bill would have established an inter-agency nanotechnology council designed to share information on nanotechnology and to coordinate state activities related to the field. The Joint Legislative Council will meet on Wednesday, January 17, 2012 to reconsider the legislation. Should the proposals be approved by the Council they would then be introduced in the Legislature.
WI Gov. Scott Walker has authorized the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to begin the process of changing the state law governing meat inspections. The process will incorporate new federal regulations into state law allowing meat from state-inspected meat plants to cross state lines.
Currently, only meat from plants inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture can be sold across state lines. Plants can choose to be regulated by state governments, but then they can sell their meat products only within their own states. Congress changed that law in 2008, and published regulations to carry out that law last May. States must get federal approval and formally adopt those federal regulations before their meat slaughterers and processors can voluntarily participate in the program. The change would allow Wisconsin's specialty meat plants to sell their products across state lines for the first time, expanding their markets and boosting the rural economy.
The next step is for the Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to approve a scope statement which describes what the regulation intends to do. DATCP staff will then draft rules that will go to public hearing and ultimately to the Legislature for final approval.
WI Sen. Frank Lasee (R-DePere) has proposed legislation to allow local communities to set their own requirements for siting wind turbines instead of adhering to a statewide standard.
Passage of the bill could potentially clear the way for final implementation of controversial wind siting rules approved by the Public Service Commission in 2010. MWFPA sought changes to the rule due to its potential impact on the aerial application of crop protection products. The PSC later modified the rule to compensate farmers for lost crop production within a half mile of turbines if aerial spraying could not be done because of them. However, the rule was put on hold last March in response to complaints from some rural homeowners and real estate interests.
Governor Scott Walker signed into law a tort reform bill limiting the amount of fees attorneys can collect when damages are awarded.
The measure caps attorneys' fees at no more than three times the amount of damages, but allows a judge to exceed the cap in certain instances. MWFPA supported this initiative.