MADISON, Wis. -- Lawmakers in the state Senate and Assembly passed several bills on Thursday, the last day of the Legislative session for 2009.

More taxpayer dollars would be directed toward Wisconsin Supreme Court campaigns in an effort to blunt the impact of special interest money under a bill passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Supporters said the measure passed Thursday would give candidates a new revenue stream and reduce fears that special interest groups control the court through campaign contributions.

Government watchdog groups said the changes would help make the races more fair and immune from private outside interests.

Opponents said it doesn't do anything to stop unregulated commercials from third-party groups that attack a candidate but don't expressly advocate for the opponent.

Both the Senate and Assembly passed it Thursday. Gov. Jim Doyle has said he will sign it.

Legislature Passes Bill To Improve Child Care Program

A sweeping bill designed to strengthen Wisconsin's child care subsidy program has passed the Legislature.

The measure passed unanimously in both the Senate and Assembly on Thursday. Doyle has indicated he will sign it into law.

The bill is designed to crack down on fraud and abuse within the system.

It would bar child care providers convicted of numerous crimes from participating in the $350 million Wisconsin Shares program. Under current law, providers convicted of many offenses can be rehabilitated and continue receiving money from the state.

The program is designed to pay child care costs for poor people so they can work, but numerous examples of fraud and abuse have been uncovered in audits and media reports.

Senate Approves Dog Breeder Regulations

The state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would regulate dog breeders.

The Senate approved the measure 32-0. The Assembly approved the bill 96-0 last month.

Lee Sensenbrenner, a spokesman for Doyle, said Doyle looks forward to signing the bill into law.

Under the measure, breeders who sell more than 25 dogs annually would have to get a license. The state would investigate the breeder before issuing a license and could suspend or revoke it for violations.

Twenty-five other states regulate dog breeders. Animal rights activists have been pushing for regulations in Wisconsin for years. They said Wisconsin's lack of regulation makes the state a magnet for puppy mills where animals are often abused.

Senate Tweaks DNR Secretary Bill, Sends To Assembly

State senators want to have the final say on who will be the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources.

The Senate passed a bill Thursday that will give the Natural Resources Board, and not the governor, the power to appoint the secretary. The Senate would then have to confirm the choice.

Supporters said the move would take politics out of conservation decisions. Critics point out the governor still appoints the board.

The Assembly passed the bill in September but their version did not call for Senate confirmation of the board's choice for secretary.

The change means the bill must go back to the Assembly for approval. Gov. Jim Doyle has said he doesn't support board appointment, meaning a veto is likely.

Assembly OKs Bill Requiring Teaching Birth Control

How to properly use birth control would have to be taught if Wisconsin schools decide to offer sex education under a bill that passed the state Assembly on Thursday.

The Assembly had given preliminary approval to the bill on Tuesday but Republicans blocked a final vote until Thursday.

The measure passed 48-43.

It still must clear the Senate and be signed by Doyle before it becomes law.

Sex education is not required in Wisconsin schools, but for those that chose to provide it would be required to include birth control as part of that instruction under the bill.

The Guttmacher Institute said that 15 states currently require that sex education in schools include instruction on contraception.

Legislature Approves Regions For UW Regents

At least half of the citizen members on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents would have to come from different parts of the state under a bill passed by the Legislature.

Fourteen citizen members currently serve on the board. The bill would carve the state into seven geographic districts. At least one citizen member would have to live in each district. The governor would have to begin making appointments to meet the new standards in 2012.

Both the Senate and Assembly passed the measure Thursday. It now heads to Doyle for his consideration.

Senate Approves Mixed Martial Arts Regulations

The state Senate has approved a bill that would impose regulations and fees on mixed martial arts fights.

Under the bill, every contest must have a licensed referee and four licensed judges, a doctor and an ambulance. No one could fight unless they have proof of health insurance.

Mixed martial arts and professional boxing promoters applying for a license would have to pay an annual $500 fee plus a nonrefundable $300 fee per application per event. They would pay event and gate fees up to $12,500 depending on ticket sales.

The bill also tweaks boxing regulations, including increasing the maximum number of rounds from 10 to 12 and increasing the minimum glove weight to 8 ounces.

The Senate passed the measure 32-0. It now goes to the state Assembly.