In Evers v. Marklein (2024 WI 31), the court held that oversight power exercised by a legislative committee over decisions made by a state agency to use already-appropriated funds violated the separation of powers established by the Wisconsin Constitution. This decision may have significant implications for Wisconsin politics and policy. While the immediate effect of […]
Session in Review: Wisconsin Legislature 2023-24
Date Tue, Apr. 30, 2024 - 12:11pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature stands adjourned for the 2023-24 session and is not expected to reconvene until January 2025. This session, Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed 272 bills into law and vetoed 73 others. He also issued partial vetoes to the state budget and three other spending-related laws. With adjournment, all bills introduced this session have […]
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on JCF Oversight of Stewardship Program
Date Tue, Apr. 30, 2024 - 12:09pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering a legal challenge from Gov. Tony Evers (D) to the Wisconsin Legislature’s committee oversight power over the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Oral arguments before the court were held April 17; news coverage is available here, here, and here. Specifically, the lawsuit from Gov. Evers alleges that a provision giving the […]
Governor Signs 24 New Laws, Vetoes GOP Tax Cut Bills
Date Fri, Mar. 15, 2024 - 12:40pm By Hamilton
Since our last update in late February, Gov. Tony Evers (D) has signed 24 bills into law and vetoed three others. The Assembly’s last scheduled floor session was February 22, while the Senate held what we anticipate will be its final day of floor votes on March 12. The Legislature is not expected to reconvene […]
Assembly Floor Session: February 22, 2024 (PFAS, EV Infrastructure, Health Policy)
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 9:00am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly met February 22, 2024. See the floor calendar here. This floor session carried over to the following day due to the number of bills on the calendar. Also this month, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met February 13 and 20 (Senate, Assembly) and the Assembly also met on February 15. The […]
Assembly Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Education, Natural Resources, Economic Development)
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 7:58am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly met February 20, 2024. See the floor calendar here. This floor session carried over to the following day due to the number of bills on the calendar. Also this month, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met February 13, the Senate also met February 20, and the Assembly met February 15 and […]
Assembly Floor Session: January 25, 2024
Date Wed, Jan. 31, 2024 - 11:49am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Assembly met January 25, passed 31 bills, and adopted four resolutions. See the floor calendar here. Also this month, both houses met January 16 and the Assembly met January 18. January will be one of the last regular floor periods of the 2023-24 legislative session. The Assembly is expected to meet several times […]
Gov. Evers Discusses Workforce, Healthcare, PFAS in Sixth State of the State Address
Date Wed, Jan. 24, 2024 - 11:07am By Hamilton
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) delivered his sixth annual State of the State address on January 23 before a joint session of the Wisconsin Legislature. The address was delivered in the Assembly Chambers of the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison. The governor’s office has released the prepared remarks and a video recording of the speech. […]
PFAS Update: DNR Pauses PFAS Groundwater Rulemaking
Date Wed, Jan. 3, 2024 - 12:13pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced a pause of its rulemaking to establish groundwater standards for several PFAS compounds. This is due to the requirements of Wisconsin’s REINS Act, a 2017 law that requires legislative authorization of any administrative rule with a compliance and implementation cost totaling at least $10 million over a two-year period. […]
Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: November 14 (Brewers Stadium, Alcohol Regulation, Special Session Bill, PFAS)
Date Sun, Nov. 19, 2023 - 9:45pm By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met November 14 to vote on bills, resolutions, and executive appointments. Visit the links for coverage of the November 7 and November 9 floor days. Senate (floor calendar) The Senate passed 26 bills, adopted three resolutions, and confirmed 18 gubernatorial appointees, including several high-profile pieces of legislation. The Senate […]