Legislative Issues & Updates

Your voice is important to our industry and to our elected officials. This page is designed to help our members navigate options for effective communication with your Legislator. Industry news and Legislative updates will be posted bi-monthly, or on an as needed basis. Get the latest WAA Legislative Summary.

Your ideas and opinions could make a difference!

Keeping Informed

Considerable activity has occurred relating to trees, and American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

Alliance for Community Trees - is a resource you may choose to visit often for updates.

Communicating With Your Legislator

Your Senator, State Representative or Congressman wants to know your special legislative interests. The best way to let them know your position is to email or write to his or her office or home. "We like an email or a letter because it becomes a matter of record," said one lawmaker. "One paragraph, stating whether you are for or against an issue and why is enough. It is not necessary to write 7 or 8 pages."

When writing a legislator, include you return address on the letter, not just the envelope. Identify your subject clearly and if possible, indicate the piece of legislation by number. State your reason for writing, how the issue would affect you, your family, business, community and state. Avoid stereotyped phrases and sentences that give the appearance of form letters or threats.

If you have doubts about how to approach your legislator, remember that your views are most important. If you are an expert or have considerable experience in your field of interest or business, don’t be afraid to share that knowledge with your legislator. They will appreciate it. Lawmakers in fact welcome constructive criticism. They also welcome a pat on the back when credit is due. Finally, don’t forget to write and say "thank you."

When addressing your correspondence to a legislator, use terms "The Honorable John Doe" on both the envelope and in the heading of your letter. The greeting should read "Dear Senator or Representative Doe." The same rules apply to State Constitutional officers and members of Congress.

If you merely wish to leave a message for your legislator, we advise you to use the legislative "hotline." A request for a return call will usually get a response but it may take several days in coming.

If your call is urgent and involves questions of a lawmaker or some discussion, then we advise you call that legislator directly at his or her office.

As with written correspondence, be concise, complete and courteous in your phone conversations.

Legislative Hotline – 1-800-362-9472
(In the Madison area) 266-9960

Other Wisconsin Legislative Reference Numbers
Document Sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (608) 266-2400
Legislative (Bill Drafting). . . . . . . (608) 266-2561
Legislative Council . . . . . . . . . . . . (608) 266-1304
Legislative Fiscal Bureau
(fiscal impact) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (608) 266-3847
Legislative Reference Section . . . (608) 266-0341
Permit Information Center . . . . 1-800-BUS-HELP

Contact Information:
Please contact your representative and voice your position on issues that impact you and the WAA. Everyone's input is needed so that our representatives hear our voice.

If you get to know them now on an issues that are important to you, they will already be familiar with you when you really need their help. 

State of Wisconsin Legislature home page: 
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/

Wisconsin Senate home page:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/senhome.htm

Wisconsin Assembly Home page:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/asmhome.htm

If you are unsure who your representative is, look here:
http://waml.legis.state.wi.us/ (scroll down to view Congressional representatives)

To track specific topics, use the Legislative notification service.
http://notify.legis.state.wi.us/

United States Senate 
http://www.senate.gov/

Write your US Senator: 
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

United Sates House of Representatives: 
http://www.house.gov/Welcome.shtml 

Write your representative: 
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Assembly Committees and Chairs:
http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/CommPages/Committees.aspx?house=Assembly

Senate Committees and Chairs:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/w3asp/commpages/Committees.aspx?house=senate


Industry websites of interest for legislative issues and standards:

American National Standards Institute
http://www.ansi.org/

Wisconsin Green Industry Federation
http://www.wgif.net/