Inspection of all New Homes 

(Budget Bill – AB 133, 1999 WI Act 9)
The Builders Association successfully passed a budget provision to require building inspections for all newly constructed homes, in an effort to improve the quality of new home construction and reduce the number of lawsuits against the industry. While the WRA did not lobby this provision, it is important that members involved in the construction industry be aware of this new law. Under the new law, all new one-and two-family dwellings in municipalities with a population of 2,500 or less must inspect all newly constructed homes to determine compliance with the state one and two-family dwelling code.
(Note: current law already requires such inspections in communities with populations over 2,500.) 
The new law becomes effective May 1, 2000. Municipalities are required to adopt a resolution to administer the program. For those communities that fail to take this action, the Dept. of Commerce will implement an inspection program in that municipality. Builders, not local governments, will pay the added costs through building inspection fees. The law is not retroactive so that buildings under construction prior to July 1, 2000 are not covered by the new law.

Campaign Finance Reform 

(Numerous bills that did not pass)
The WRA was very active in several serious attempts by the legislature to enact significant campaign finance reforms. The WRA was one of the only large organizations to support the most sweeping reform proposal, SB 113 (proposed by Republican Senator Mike Ellis). This proposal would have enacted full public funding for all state campaigns including state funding to offset issue ads and independent expenditures by special interest groups. This “pure” reform proposal however was never adopted by either House and was only debated as a proposed amendment to another reform proposal. In addition, the WRA supported SB 181 (proposed by Democratic Senator Gary George), to provide full public funding of state Supreme Court races. This proposal, known as the “impartial justice” bill passed the state Senate 30-3 but was never considered by the state Assembly prior to adjournment of the session. Finally, the WRA opposed two other reform bills, AB 701 (by Republican State Representative Steve Freese) and SB 190 (by Democratic State Senator Alice Clausing). These bills were considered more partisan in nature, benefiting Republicans and Democrats respectively. Both bills passed their respective Houses but failed to be considered by the other House prior to adjournment.