In April, Gov. Tony Evers (D) signed the first four laws of the 2023-24 legislative session as 2023 Wisconsin Acts 1 through 4. So far, the governor has not issued any vetoes this session.
Act 3, originally SB 75, implements the recently approved constitutional amendment regarding bail and pre-conviction release for people accused of a crime. The amendment gave the Legislature the authority to determine additional conditions for denying pre-conviction release. The amendment also eliminated the requirement, with respect to violent crimes, that monetary bail may only be imposed to assure an accused’s appearance in court, giving judges more discretion in imposing bail on people accused of violent crimes. Act 3 outlined certain conditions for denying release and clarified which crimes are considered “violent” for purposes of denying bail. The bill was authored by Sen. Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Rep. Duchow (R-Delafield).
Act 4, originally AB 28, provides a pathway for county jail officers to receive “protective occupation” status, allowing them to retire at an earlier age and participate in the Duty Disability Insurance Program. The bill was a compromise brokered between law enforcement and local governments and strongly supported by the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association and Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association. Those organizations issued a press release thanking Gov. Evers and the Legislature for enacting the law, which will help county jails to recruit and retain staff. AB 28 was authored by Sen. Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Rep. Born (R-Beaver Dam).
Gov. Evers signing Act 4 with Sen. Marklein, other legislators, and representatives from the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association, Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, and Wisconsin Counties Association.
The four laws recently signed by Gov. Evers were:
- Act 1: Impoundment of vehicles used in certain reckless driving offenses.
- Act 2: The award of Wisconsin Merit scholarships to University of Wisconsin System students.
- Act 3: Statutory changes to implement the constitutional amendment relating to conditions of release.
- Act 4: Classifying county jailers as protective occupation participants under the Wisconsin Retirement System and the treatment of county jailers under the Municipal Employment Relations Act.
For more information about the 2023-24 legislative session in Wisconsin, see the following articles: