(Madison) – State Representative Robb Kahl (D-Monona) today thanked residents of his district for their support which made it possible to see four bills signed into law by Governor Walker during a bill signing ceremony in the Capitol today.

“When I ran for office in 2012, residents of my district told me that it was most important to them that people and good public policy take priority over politics,” Kahl stated.    “By adhering to the priorities of district residents I was successful in having four bills signed into law.   I am pleased to say that a fifth bill, Senate Bill 668, should also be signed into law sometime next week.”

A brief summary of the bills signed into law today:

Assembly Bill 726, makes it clear, under state law, the cannabidiol, is not THC and a schedule 1 drug, if a physician dispenses it or provides a letter authorizing use for the treatment of a seizure disorder.  In addition, it provides that cannabidiol may be possessed for treatment of a seizure disorder if dispensed by a physician or if the physician provides a letter stating the individual possesses it to treat a seizure disorder.  It will also require the Wisconsin Controlled Substances Board to work with physicians to obtain the necessary investigational drug permits from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).   Once FDA approval is granted, the Controlled Substances Board would then be able to designate pharmacies and physicians who could dispense the medication and allow it to be transported to Wisconsin in accordance with federal law.

Assembly Bill 729 will provide more opportunity for grant funding and local economic development by better defining the criteria to be met to conduct classified research.  UW Madison was losing out on the ability to compete for grant to a lack of a clear, consistent policy.   The University of Wisconsin – Madison is one of the premier higher educational institutions in the world and it will now be better able to conduct classified research that serves our national interests and creates greater potential for economic development opportunity in Wisconsin.  Rep. Kahl joined Rep. Mike Kuglitsch in authoring the bill.

Assembly Bill 769 corrects a problem with current law that resulted in the City of Madison being the only municipality in the state that was prohibited from financing the costs of parking facilities using TIF.  AB 769 frees up valuable property for real estate development by correcting an unintended consequence of changes to TIF law made decades ago.   One project now possible due to the passage of this bill could create 1,200 construction jobs and hundreds of permanent jobs.  Rep. Kahl joined Rep. Dale Kooyenga in authoring the bill.

Assembly Bill 803 will better ensure that drug prevention and testing measures that the utility industry has in place are standard practice throughout Wisconsin and also protect utility workers under the provisions of Wisconsin’s move-over-slow-down law.  Wisconsin utilities consider worker and public safety to be a top priority especially when projects are undertaken within the public right-of-way.    They hire and contract with highly skilled professionals who are able to undertake a variety of tasks – frequently high risk tasks – and get those jobs done without endangering themselves or members of the public.   This bill will better protect workers and members of the public who come into close proximity of these projects.

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