Key Wisconsin Bills from July: Cryptocurrency Scams, School Bus Safety, Veterans IDs, and More

It's been a whirlwind month in Wisconsin politics, from the sprint to pass the state budget at the beginning of July to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announcing he wouldn't seek reelection near the end. That means lawmakers haven't been quite as busy introducing legislation and holding hearings in the state Capitol. Many of their goals ended up in the budget, such as infrastructure improvements to help bring Buc-ee's to DeForest or funding for the War Memorial Center in Milwaukee. Still, lawmakers have pitched a handful of standalone bills this month. Some previously covered include bills to cap UW System tuition increases, increase penalties for defacing public monuments, and create a task force for missing and murdered Black women and girls. Here’s a roundup of other notable bills from July. None have received public hearings yet. Around 400 pieces of legislation have been introduced this session, and only a fraction will become law. You can read our June roundup here.

'Born alive' protections after attempted abortion

This bill would require physicians to provide lifesaving care if a child is born alive after an abortion or attempted abortion. That means the baby is breathing, has a beating heart, or muscle movement, for example. Providers would need to give the same care as they would for a child born at the same gestational age and immediately transport the child to a hospital. Providers who violate the requirement could face penalties up to $10,000 or six years in prison. Governor Evers vetoed identical legislation in 2021 and 2019, so it is unlikely the bill will become law while he remains governor. Evers stated current law already gives legal status and rights to children born alive after an abortion. Another bill introduced by Republicans in July would require documenting information on sex and fetal anomalies for the state's annual report on induced abortions. This proposal passed the state Senate but not the Assembly last year. Authors: Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto; Rep. Joy Goeben, R-Hobart

Preventing cryptocurrency kiosk scams

Lawmakers are seeking to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks, which provide a convenient way to purchase cryptocurrency but have become easy vehicles for scams and fraud. The Wood County Sheriff's Office is cracking down on these kiosks and working with lawmakers on legislation. The department has executed search warrants on Bitcoin Depot kiosks, stating the company is victimizing individuals in the community. The bill would require kiosks to be licensed through the state Department of Financial Institutions as money transmitters, similar to banks and ATMs. It would also require an onscreen warning about potential fraud and limit transaction and fee amounts. Authors: Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison; Rep. Ryan Spaude, D-Ashwaubenon More: WIN bill aims to boost cryptocurrency business, education in Wisconsin

Improving school bus safety and easing driver shortage

One measure would allow school districts to record audio, not just video, on school buses, provided they notify students and families. Recording devices can monitor student behavior, prevent bullying, and help investigate incidents. Another bill would require driver education courses to include instruction on student crossings, school bus lights, and when stopping is required for school buses — rules that change on divided highways or multilane roads. A third bill, developed with the Wisconsin School Bus Association, would ease regulations for bus drivers over 70 years old. The frequency of CDL testing and medical reviews is deterring these drivers from entering or staying in the profession. Lawmakers have also passed a bipartisan 2023 law allowing school board members to volunteer as bus drivers, a practice previously prohibited. Authors: Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp; Rep. William Penterman, R-Hustisford; Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers More: A later start for high school? Elmbrook Schools considers starting the day earlier for elementary, later for middle and high schools

Repealing Evers' 400-year veto

Remember the "400-year veto" in the previous budget Evers signed, which locked in school funding increases for four centuries? Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to repeal that law, arguing school districts could continue to raise property taxes indefinitely. In April, the state Supreme Court ruled that Evers did not overstep his authority. Republicans have introduced other proposals aimed at reducing the governor's partial veto power. Authors: Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield; Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater; Rep. Dave Maxey, R-New Berlin; Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk, R-Huburtus More: Evers issues 23 partial vetoes in state budget, about half the number from previous years

Funding for veterans homes not included in budget

Democrats again proposed $1.9 million for two Veterans Housing and Recovery Program facilities in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls, which offer temporary housing, training, and support for homeless veterans. Evers criticized Republicans for leaving the funding out of the state budget, which Democrats tried to add back during debate. This legislation represents another attempt, though it’s unclear if Republicans will consider it. Republicans said the budget included investments in other areas for veterans, but not a requested doubling of the program's budget. They also said Evers did not bring up the topic during budget negotiations. Authors: Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick; Sen. Jamie Wall, D-Green Bay; Rep. Jodi Emerson, D-Eau Claire; Rep. Ryan Spaude, D-Ashwaubenon; Rep. Christian Phelps, D-Eau Claire; Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee; Rep. Brienne Brown, D-Whitewater; Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner, D-Green Bay; Rep. Maureen McCarville, D-DeForest; Rep. Angelito Tenorio, D-West Allis More: Lack of funding in state budget will shutter two facilities for homeless veterans

Expanding eligibility for a veterans ID

This bipartisan bill would expand eligibility for obtaining a Wisconsin driver's license or ID card with a military veteran designation, an easy way to show proof of military service without carrying forms. Some veterans had their requests denied at the DMV because they did not meet the active duty requirements in state law, lawmakers say. The bill would allow the designation for any former member of the U.S. armed forces, a reserve unit, or the National Guard who meets the eligibility requirements for a veterans home loan under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Authors: Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken; Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska; Rep. Benjamin Franklin, R-De Pere; Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers; Rep. Christine Sinicki, D-Milwaukee

Banning apps from certain countries on state devices

This legislation builds upon an executive order Evers issued in 2023 that banned TikTok and other software on state-owned devices. Republicans say a company-by-company ban is an "outdated approach" because foreign adversaries quickly develop new applications to harvest data and conduct surveillance. Instead, the bill proposes banning all applications, software, and devices from "countries of concern" identified by the U.S. Department of Commerce, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Authors: Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Appleton; Rep. Dan Knodl, R-Germantown; Rep. Nate Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing More: Milwaukee Public Schools to sue social media companies over youth mental health crisis

Crypto Market AI's Take

The legislative focus on preventing cryptocurrency kiosk scams highlights a growing concern within the digital asset space. As more individuals engage with cryptocurrencies, ensuring their safety from fraudulent schemes is paramount. Our platform, AI Crypto Market, is dedicated to providing secure and transparent tools for navigating the crypto landscape. We offer advanced AI-powered trading bots and comprehensive market analysis to help users make informed decisions and mitigate risks. For those looking to understand the fundamentals of cryptocurrency and safe trading practices, our guides on cryptocurrency trading offer valuable insights. Furthermore, staying informed about evolving regulations and security best practices is crucial, which is why we emphasize our compliance information on our site.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Cryptocurrency Kiosk Scams

Q: What are cryptocurrency kiosks and why are they a concern? A: Cryptocurrency kiosks are machines that allow people to buy or sell cryptocurrencies, often using cash. They are a concern because they have become a common tool for scammers who defraud individuals, sometimes by coercing them into sending money through these kiosks. Q: What are the proposed regulations for cryptocurrency kiosks in Wisconsin? A: The proposed legislation aims to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring them to be licensed as money transmitters, displaying onscreen warnings about potential fraud, and limiting transaction and fee amounts. Q: How can I protect myself from cryptocurrency scams involving kiosks? A: Be wary of unsolicited offers, never share your private keys or personal information with kiosk operators, and be skeptical of deals that sound too good to be true. Always research the kiosk operator and the legitimacy of the service. Q: What actions can law enforcement take against fraudulent kiosk operations? A: Law enforcement can execute search warrants and work with lawmakers to create legislation that licenses and regulates these kiosks, similar to how traditional financial institutions are regulated.

School Bus Safety

Q: What are the proposed changes to improve school bus safety? A: Proposals include allowing audio recording on school buses, enhancing driver education with specific school bus safety modules, and easing regulations for older bus drivers to address shortages.

Veterans ID and Services

Q: How would the proposed bill expand eligibility for a veterans ID? A: The bill would allow more former members of the U.S. armed forces, reserves, and National Guard to obtain a driver's license or ID card with a veteran designation, by aligning eligibility with Veterans Affairs home loan requirements. Q: What is the current issue with funding for veterans homes? A: Democrats have proposed funding for Veterans Housing and Recovery Program facilities, but this funding was not included in the state budget, leading to concerns about the future of these services for homeless veterans.

Government and Technology

Q: What is the purpose of banning apps from "countries of concern" on state devices? A: The legislation aims to enhance cybersecurity and prevent data harvesting and surveillance by banning applications, software, and devices from countries identified as concerns by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Cryptocurrency scams, school bus safety and veterans IDs among notable Wisconsin bills from July