A bill banning human trafficking and a bill aiming to limit carbon dioxide emissions were among several controversial proposals voted on in the state Legislature Tuesday.
Human trafficking vote
Senate Bill 292 would make human trafficking a felony in the state, with punishments ranging from a $100,000 fine to 40 years imprisonment.
The bill passed unanimously in the state Senate. Mike Murray, policy specialist for the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, said he was optimistic about the bill being approved by the Assembly.
Murray said Assembly leadership told him the bill is likely to be voted on Thursday by the full Assembly.
State Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, a co-author of the bill also said the bill would be likely to pass the Assembly.
“It’s sometimes difficult to get legislation through a divided legislature, but I think this is something both sides can agree on,” Grothman said.
Global warming bill fails
State Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, tried to force a vote on Assembly Bill 157 Tuesday, which attempts to limit green house gas emissions in Wisconsin.
Black tried a legislative maneuver to pull the bill from committee and put it before the full Assembly, but the motion was denied largely along party lines.
Black said polls showed the majority of Wisconsin residents wanted some action taken against global warming.
State Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon, is opposed to the bill and said it will not help the environment.
“I don’t think it would have any impact on global levels of carbon dioxide,” Ott said. “It would have no effect on global temperatures.”
According to Ott, the bill would result in higher energy prices in the state and would force some companies to leave Wisconsin.
Autism insurance passes
The state Senate passed Senate Bill 178, which would require health insurance policies to cover autism and other developmental disorders.
The bill passed 25-8, with all Democrats voting for it and eight Republicans voting against it.
John Anderson, spokesperson for state Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, a supporter of the bill, said Miller was optimistic the bill would pass the Assembly.
