More than 30 different groups spent nearly 300 hours last year lobbying the State Legislature about a bill that would require insurance companies to cover autism treatment.

Some groups are more well known than others.

Interested Wisconsin residents can track lobbying activity related to any bill before the Assembly or the Senate to find out what groups are exerting pressure on the Legislature.

The state Ethics Board maintains a fine Web site that details lobbying activities.

Autism is one issue among many.

People have a lot to say about the autism bill that the State Senate just approved on Tuesday.

Parents of children with autism want the bill to get to Gov. Jim Doyle’s desk. Insurance companies don’t and neither do groups like the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce that say such a requirement would increase insurance rates across the board.

After Tuesday's Senate vote, some legislators told their colleagues that they have given parents a false sense of hope that something might be done about the autism bill during this legislative session.

There’s also a belief that the Assembly won’t approve the bill.

Enter the lobbyists.

Senate Bill 178 and its companion Assembly Bill 417 have generated a lot of interest from groups both for and against. Here’s a brief glimpse.

FOR

National Association of Social Workers - Wisconsin Chapter

Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards

The Wisconsin Early Autism Project, Inc.

Wisconsin Council on Children & Families

Wisconsin Medical Society

AGAINST

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)

Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Wisconsin Restaurant Association