Wisconsin Legislature releases coronavirus response bill

Wisconsin Legislature will pass a coronavirus response bill with bipartisan support this week in first-of-its-kind virtual sessions that lawmakers will attend remotely, Republican leers said Monday.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said he hn’t reviewed final version of bill, which is intended to complement more than $2 billion in federal aid coming to state, but that he’s optimistic that bipartisan agreement could be reached.

“Hopefully, this will t be a one-shot answer to crisis here in Wisconsin but an opportunity to establish a dialogue,” Evers said on a conference call with reporters. Evers said he was particularly interested in getting aid to struggling Wisconsin farmers and businesses.

Evers h objected to an earlier version that would have given Legislature’s GOP-controlled budget committee power to make any cuts in spending it wanted. That provision was removed from latest plan.

budget committee would be allowed to allocate up to $75 million in emergency funding during public health emergency and up to 90 days after it’s over.

Assembly was expected to vote on bill Tuesday, followed by Senate on Wednesday. Some lawmakers will be physically present in Mison, while ors will attend via video- and teleconference for first time in Wisconsin Legislature’s 172-year history. About half of Assembly’s 99 members will be in chamber in state Capitol, while rest will dial in remotely, Majority Leer Jim Steineke tweeted.

“We crafted this bill taking into consideration goverr’s proposals, reacting to legislation passed by Congress, and receiving input from both parties in Legislature,” Republican Senate Majority Leer Scott Fitzgerald said in a statement. “re is such thing as a perfect piece of legislation, but action is desperately needed right w.”

Democratic legislative leers did t immediately return messs seeking comment.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Steineke said bill would give Evers flexibility he needs to respond to pandemic.

“We applaud bipartisan work that went into creation of this important bill,” Vos and Steineke said.

Much of what Legislature intends to do is clear path for spending of more than $2 billion coming to Wisconsin as part of federal stimulus bill. Key provisions would clear way for Wisconsin to receive more money for Medicaid, unemployment benefits and more.

bill would suspend one-week waiting period for people to receive unemployment benefits. It would be waived for anyone who applied between March 12 and Feb. 7, 2021. That was a provision Evers pushed to include, given that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was projected to reach record-high levels due to widespre closures caused by pandemic.

As of Monday, 154 deaths people have died from COVID-19 in Wisconsin with more than 3,400 confirmed cases.

bill also: prohibits certain insurers from prohibiting cover based on a COVID-19 diagsis; attempts to ease licensing and credentialing process for health care workers, including allowing former providers and those from outside Wisconsin to get temporary credentials; reduces nurse training hour requirements; and makes health care providers immune from civil liability from services provided during pandemic.

bill would also require state’s chief ecomic development ncy to create a plan by June 30 to support major industries versely affected by pandemic, including tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, construction, retail, and services.

. Assembly leers have worked with mirity party and goverr’s office on legislation that will give Evers ministration needed flexibility to respond to COVID-19 outbreak. bill will allow our state to capture millions in federal dollars on top of $2 billion in coronavirus funding from federal CARES Act. legislation also eliminates one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits. We applaud bipartisan work that went into creation of this important bill.

“Representatives have been given a choice to attend eir in person or virtually. Members who are attending in person, as is customary for legislative sessions, are being asked to follow a set of guidelines to maintain proper social distancing. We appreciate tireless efforts of Assembly Chief Clerk’s Office, Sergeant’s Office and Legislative Techlogy Services Bureau for coordinating historic session that will enable us to accomplish legislative work in safest way we can.

“While tomorrow’s extraordinary session will certainly be a first, we anticipate a day of bipartisan action to help hard-working Wisconsin families and businesses.”