Yesterday, Senators Lasee, Olsen, and Schultz introduced SB-520 relating to vehicles registered as historic military vehicles (HMV's).

Currently, vehicles that meet certain qualifications can be registered as an HMV for a one-time fee of $30--the special HMV plates never expire. However, use of HMV's is restricted to parades and show events. SB-520 loosens the use restrictions to include occasional personal use, club activities, exhibitions, and tours. Since this bill loosens restrictions, and a person could in all practicality get away with using an HMV as his primary vehicle (for a one time registration fee of $30!), this bill earns a score of MORE LIBERTY.

SB-520 is also cosponsored by Representatives Jacque, Bies, Brooks, Kerkman, Kestell, Nygren, Rivard and Wynn. It has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Elections.

Low Priority

Assembly Bill 452 has been scheduled for a public hearing by Committee on Judiciary and Ethics in the Assembly on March 1, 2012 at 1:00 PM at 415 Northwest.

The bill relates to resolution of claims against the state for wrongful imprisonment of innocent persons, exempting from taxation certain amounts an individual receives from the claims board or legislature, and increasing the maximum amount an individual can receive from $5,000 per year of imprisonment (capped at $25,000) to $50,000 per year of imprisonment with no cap. Currently, these individuals can also receive free state health insurance for up to ten years. This bill will require them to pay the same premium that state employees pay.

While a wrongfully imprisoned person is a tragedy, we are still dealing with taxpayer money. This bill is a spending increase, and therefore gets the score of LESS LIBERTY.

The bill was introduced by Representatives Bies, Pocan, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bewley, E. Coggs, Hebl, Kessler, A. Ott, Pasch, Pope-Roberts, Ringhand, Roys, Staskunas and C. Taylor

Low Priority

The resolution was passed in the assembly on February 21, 2012. It will be scheduled for a vote in the senate soon. 

Assembly Joint Resolution 108 declares December 12, 2012 as Aaron Rogers Day. While this action's impact on liberty is relatively nil, it is a complete waste of time and therefore gets a score of LESS LIBERTY.

The resolution was introduced by Representatives Bies, A. Ott, Bernard Schaber, E. Coggs, Endsley, Hebl, Honadel, Jacque, J. Ott, Jorgensen, Van Roy, Kaufert, Kerkman, Marklein, Mason, Mursau, Nygren, Pasch, Petrowski, Petryk, Pridemore, Rivard, Spanbauer, Staskunas, Strachota, Tranel, Williams and Wynn.

Low Priority