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 […]
Artificial Intelligence, UW System, Emergency Detention, and More: 2024 Study Committees Begin to Meet
Date Mon, Jul. 22, 2024 - 1:09pm By Hamilton
In even-numbered years after the state legislature has adjourned its biennial regular session, the Wisconsin Legislative Council will propose topics that might warrant in-depth study and policy development. Each study committee is typically led by two or more legislators (selected by leadership) and includes members of the public and representatives from relevant stakeholders. For 2024, […]
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 […]
Senate Floor Session: March 12, 2024
Date Fri, Mar. 15, 2024 - 12:38pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate met March 12, 2024. See the floor calendar here. We anticipate that this was the Senate’s final day of floor votes for the 2023-24 legislative session. The Assembly voted to adjourn the session at the conclusion of its last scheduled floor day on February 22. The Legislature is not expected to reconvene […]
Gov. Evers Signs New Legislative Maps Into Law
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 9:14am By Hamilton
On February 19, Gov. Evers (D) signed into law his own redistricting proposal (now 2023 Wisconsin Act 94) after the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature adopted it. See the governor’s press release and prepared remarks on the bill signing and several news articles. Late last year, the liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the […]
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 […]
Senate Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Health, Education, Transportation, Executive Appointments)
Date Mon, Feb. 26, 2024 - 7:55am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate met February 20, 2024. See the floor calendar here. Also this month, both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met February 13 and the Assembly met February 15, 20, and 22. The Senate confirmed eight appointments to various state boards and commissions, mostly related to oversight of higher education. Senate Republicans, with a […]