MADISON (WKOW) -- Republican lawmakers testified on a number measures aimed at changing state recall laws Thursday.
"In order to launch a recall against an elected official, there must be a valid reason to do so," Rep. Paul Farrow (R-Pewaukee) told the Assembly Committee on Campaign and Election Reform.
Rep. Farrow and Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) proposed a constitutional amendment that would only allow the recall of elected officials that have been charged with a serious crime, or are suspected of committing state ethics violations.
Democrats on the committee disagreed, arguing that policies like Governor Scott Walker's restriction on collective bargaining should be reason enough.
"Do you see outwardly how bad it looks, especially in light of everything that's going on right now that you want to institute a constitutional amendment that basically repeals the right of the people?", asked Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee).
"The right of the people to recall an individual will be available to them," answered Rep. Farrow. "But it should be for a purpose."
For that proposal to make it to the constitution however, it will require passage by two consecutive state legislatures and must then be approved by a statewide vote of the people.
There was also a hearing today on a bill put forth by Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, which would make it a crime to intentionally sign a recall petition more than once.
"There was a gentleman in Milwaukee who was on air saying he signed 80 different times," said Rep. Fitzgerald (R-Horicon).
Speaker Fitzgerald's bill would make that a Class I felony, punishable by up to three years and six months in prison.
In an interview with 27 News, Rep. Fitzgerald said its based on existing law.
"We used the same statute that was used if you did this in a nomination paper, a Class I Felony," said Rep. Fitzgerald.
But, there is no such law regarding nomination papers.
Fitzgerald Spokesperson John Jagler said later that the Assembly Speaker simply misspoke.
But Democrats said Fitzgerald and the Republicans aren't motivated by facts, only by intimidation.
"I feel strongly this law is meant to scare people from ever signing a recall petition again," said Rep. Zamarripa.
The final bill that got a hearing Thursday would make it a felony to entice someone into signing a recall petition by offering them something of value in return.
