Senate Bill 269
Relating to: requiring insurers to establish internal grievance procedures, independent review of certain coverage determinations made by health benefit plans and granting rule-making authority.
By
Senators
Breske, Clausing, Drzewiecki, Roessler, Schultz and Rosenzweig; cosponsored by Representatives Underheim, F. Lasee, Musser, Albers, Ladwig and Urban.
To committee on Health, Utilities, Veterans and Military Affairs.
__________________
The joint committee for review of Administrative Rules reports and recommends:
Senate Bill 270
Relating to: the possession of barbed hooks while fishing.
Introduction.
Ayes, 8 - Senators
Robson, Grobschmidt, Welch and Darling. Representatives Grothman, Seratti, Kreuser and Black.
Noes, 0 - None.
To committee on Agriculture, Environmental Resources and Campaign Finance Reform.
Judy Robson
Senate Chairperson
The committee on Education reports and recommends:
Axtell
, Roger E.,
of Janesville, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2006.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 11 - Senators
Grobschmidt, Jauch, Shibilski, Baumgart, Robson, Erpenbach, Darling, Roessler, Huelsman, Lazich and Farrow.
Noes, 0 - None.
Gracz
, Gregory L.,
of Milwaukee, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2006.
Confirmation.
Ayes, 9 - Senators
Grobschmidt, Jauch, Shibilski, Baumgart, Darling, Roessler, Huelsman, Lazich and Farrow.
Noes, 2 - Senators
Robson and Erpenbach.
Richard Grobschmidt
Chairperson
__________________
Senate Petition 7
S305
A petition by 646 voting citizens of La Crosse County urging the increase of state reimbursement for home health and personal care services for Wisconsin's elderly and disabled citizens.
By
Senator
Rude
.
To committee on Human Services and Aging.
Senate Petition 8
A petition by 996 residents of the State of Wisconsin urging the Wisconsin State Legislature to enact Compassionate Child Care Legislation.
By
Senator
Robson
.
To committee on Human Services and Aging.
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
October 26, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 1999 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us.
McIntosh, Forbes Blood Center of Southeastern WI, Inc
Steinhauer, Michael J Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association
Weitzer, John Strong Capital Management, Inc.
Wineke, Joseph Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by the organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
Roth Judd
Director
State of Wisconsin
Department of Financial Institutions
October 27, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 13.172(2) I am transmitting to you a copy of the Department of Financial Institutions Annual Report for 1998. This report is being transmitted electronically and can also be downloaded at:
www.wdfi.org.
Outlined in this year's report are details of DFI's financial education program "DFI - Your Money Matters" and statistics showing Wisconsin's financial community is strong and growing. DFI is committed to firm and fair regulation and to protecting the consumers who use the services of our state's financial institutions.
I hope you will find this report useful. If I can provide any further information concerning our financial institutions and regulation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Dean
Secretary
State of Wisconsin
Joint Legislative Council
October 26, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am please to transmit to you the following reports to the 1999 Legislature on legislation introduced by the joint Legislative Council:
RL 99-8 Legislation on Nonresident Physician
Licensure
(1999 Assembly Bill 541)
RL 99-9 Legislation on Determination of a School Calendar
(1999 Assembly Bill 494)
RL 99-8 Legislation on Faith-Based Approaches to
Crime Prevention and Justice
(1999 Assembly Bill 533)
I would appreciate your including this letter in the Journal for the information of the membership. Additional copies of these reports are available at the Legislative Council Staff offices, One East Main, Suite 401, or from our web page at
www.legis.state.wi.us/lc/jlc99recs.htm.
Sincerely,
Jane R. Henkel
Acting Director
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
October 21, 1999
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed a review of the expenditures and funding for programs of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, as requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. From fiscal year (FY) 1994-95 through 1999-2000, the Division's expenditures are expected to increase 77.5 percent, from approximately $23.0 million to $40.8 million, and its revenues are expected to increase 63.8 percent, from $24.9 million to $40.7 million. After deficits in FY 1998-99 and FY 1999-2000, the Division's cash reserves are expected to decline by approximately $1.2 million, to $2.7 million at the end of FY 1999-2000.
Although the Division has improved its financial management since our 1989 audit, we believe its expenditure growth could be better controlled. For example, from FY 1994-95 through FY 1999-2000, when the rate of inflation is expected to be 12 percent, expenditures for women's athletic programs (excluding three new programs) are expected to increase 64.7 percent. Expenditures for men's athletic programs are expected to increase 36.8 percent. If the Division is unable to adequately control expenditure growth, it will become necessary to increase revenues through measures that could include increases in ticket prices.
When evaluating the Division's financial plans for the future, the Legislature and others may wish to consider whether an appropriate balance exists between the extent to which expenditures will be controlled and the extent to which revenues will be increased. Further, we suggest that the Legislature carefully review support for programs not reflected in the Division's financial statements. This support includes general purpose revenue, support provided by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and cash balances held in intercollegiate accounts of the University of Wisconsin Foundation.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the staff of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, as well as by officials of the University of Wisconsin System and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The University of Wisconsin-Madison's response in Appendix IX.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
Wisconsin Women's Council
October 26, 1999
The Honorable, The Senate:
On behalf of the Wisconsin Women's Council, it is my pleasure to submit to you the Council's 1997-99 Biennial Report.
