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| election3 = January 7, 2013
| election3 = January 7, 2013
| leader4_type = Assembly Majority Leader
| leader4_type = Assembly Majority Leader
| leader4 = [[Jim Steineke]]
| leader4 = [[Tyler August ]]
| party4 = ([[Republican Party of Wisconsin|R]])
| party4 = ([[Republican Party of Wisconsin|R]])
| election4 = January 5, 2015
| election4 = January 3, 2023
| authority = Article IV, [[Wisconsin Constitution]]
| authority = Article IV, [[Wisconsin Constitution]]
| salary = $57,407 + per diem<ref>{{cite web |title=Salaries of Wisconsin State Elected Officials, 2023 |url=https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/lrb_reports/elected_official_salaries_2023_7_5.pdf |publisher=Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |access-date=23 May 2024}}</ref>
| salary = $50,950 + $153 per diem
| house1 = Senate
| house1 = Senate
| house2 = Assembly
| house2 = Assembly
| members = '''132'''<br>33 Senators<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/legislators/senate|title=2019 Wisconsin State Senators|website=docs.legis.wisconsin.gov}}</ref><br>99 Representatives<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/legislators/assembly|title=2019 Wisconsin State Representatives|website=docs.legis.wisconsin.gov}}</ref>
| members = '''132'''<br>33 Senators<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/legislators/senate|title=2019 Wisconsin State Senators|website=docs.legis.wisconsin.gov}}</ref><br>99 Representatives<ref>{{cite web|url=http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2019/legislators/assembly|title=2019 Wisconsin State Representatives|website=docs.legis.wisconsin.gov}}</ref>
| structure1 = 105th Wisconsin State Senate 20210428.svg
| structure1 = WI Senate 20240126.svg
| structure1_res = 250
| structure1_res = 250
| structure2 = 105th Wisconsin State Assembly.svg
| structure2 = 106th_Wisconsin_Assembly_20230103.svg
| structure2_res = 250
| structure2_res = 250
| political_groups1 = {{unbulleted list
| political_groups1 = {{unbulleted list
| {{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (21)
| {{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Republican Party of Wisconsin|Republican]] (22)
| {{Color box|#0000FF|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (12)
| {{Color box|#0000FF|border=darkgray}}&nbsp;[[Democratic Party of Wisconsin|Democratic]] (10)
⚫
| {{Color box|#ffffFF|border=black}}&nbsp;Vacant (1)
}}
}}
| political_groups2 = {{unbulleted list
| political_groups2 = {{unbulleted list
| {{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}} [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] (60)
| {{Color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}} [[Republican Party of Wisconsin|Republican]] (64)
| {{Color box|#0000FF|border=darkgray}} [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] (38)
| {{Color box|#0000FF|border=darkgray}} [[Democratic Party of Wisconsin|Democratic]] (35)
⚫
| {{Color box|#FFFFFF|border=darkgray}} [[Vacant]] (1)
}}
}}
| last_election1 = [[2020 Wisconsin State Senate election|November 3, 2020]]
| last_election1 = [[2022 Wisconsin Senate election|November 8, 2022]]
| next_election1 = November 8, 2022
| next_election1 = [[2024 Wisconsin Senate election|November 5, 2024]]
| last_election2 = [[2020 Wisconsin State Assembly election|November 3, 2020]]
| last_election2 = [[2022 Wisconsin State Assembly election|November 8, 2022]]
| next_election2 = November 8, 2022
| next_election2 = [[2024 Wisconsin State Assembly election|November 5, 2024]]
| meeting_place = [[Wisconsin State Capitol]], [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]]
| meeting_place = [[Wisconsin State Capitol]]<br />[[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]]
| website = https://legis.wisconsin.gov|legislature=[[105th Wisconsin Legislature]]}}
| website = https://legis.wisconsin.gov
| legislature = [[106th Wisconsin Legislature]]
}}
⚫
The '''Wisconsin Legislature''' is the [[state legislature (United States)|state legislature]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wisconsin]]. The legislature is a [[bicameral]] body composed of the [[upper house]], [[Wisconsin State Senate]], and the [[lower house|lower]] [[Wisconsin State Assembly]], both of which have had [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] majorities since January 2011. With both houses combined, the legislature has 132 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. The legislature convenes at the [[Wisconsin State Capitol|state capitol]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]].


⚫
The current sitting is the [[106th Wisconsin Legislature]].
⚫
The '''Wisconsin Legislature''' is the [[state legislature (United States)|state legislature]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wisconsin]]. The Legislature is a [[bicameral]] body composed of the [[upper house]] [[Wisconsin State Senate]] and the [[lower house|lower]] [[Wisconsin State Assembly]], both of which have had [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] majorities since January 2011. With both houses combined, the legislature has 132 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. The Legislature convenes at the [[Wisconsin State Capitol|state capitol]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]].

⚫
The current sitting is the [[105th Wisconsin Legislature]].


==History==
==History==
The United States first organized [[Wisconsin]] in 1787 under the [[Northwest Ordinance]] after [[Great Britain]] yielded the land to them in the [[Treaty of Paris (1783)|Treaty of Paris]]. It became the Wisconsin [[Territories_of_the_United_States|Territory]] in 1836 and a [[U.S. state]] on May 29, 1848.<ref name="wisgov">[http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/bb/11bb/stats_history.pdf Highlights of History in Wisconsin], Wisconsin Blue Book 2011-2012 (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref> The 1850s saw an influx of European immigrants.<ref name="turningpt">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-018/?action=more_essay 19th Century Immigration], Wisconsin Historical Society (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref> The Legislature was dominated alternately by two political parties in its first century: the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and Progressive parties.
The United States first organized [[Wisconsin]] in 1787 under the [[Northwest Ordinance]] after [[Great Britain]] yielded the land to them in the [[Treaty of Paris (1783)|Treaty of Paris]]. It became the Wisconsin [[Territories_of_the_United_States|Territory]] in 1836 and a [[U.S. state]] on May 29, 1848.<ref name="wisgov">[http://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/bb/11bb/stats_history.pdf Highlights of History in Wisconsin], Wisconsin Blue Book 2011-2012 (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref> The 1850s saw an influx of European immigrants.<ref name="turningpt">[http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/turningpoints/tp-018/?action=more_essay 19th Century Immigration], Wisconsin Historical Society (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref> The legislature was dominated alternately by two political parties in its first century: the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and Progressive parties.


Since 1995, the Republicans have controlled the legislature except for a brief period from 2009-2011. Republican controlled both houses 1995 Legislature, the first time since 1969. In 2009, the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] gained control of both houses for the first time since 1993. The Republican Party took back control of both houses in 2011.<ref name="wisgov"/> In some elections since 2011, including 2012<ref name=js22/> In the [[2016 Wisconsin elections]], Republicans secured their largest majority in the Assembly since 1956.<ref name=js22/> and 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-republicans-maintain-control-of-legislature/article_5ddad096-4d09-5250-90ea-6ee014a7488d.html|title=Wisconsin Republicans maintain control of Legislature}}</ref>, Republicans have maintained their control of the legislature despite receiving fewer total votes.
In 1995, the Republican Party took control of the legislature for the first time since 1969, and have maintained their control of both houses since, except for a brief period between 2009 and 2011. In the [[2016 Wisconsin elections]], Republicans secured their largest majority in the Assembly since 1956,<ref name=js22/> and in 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/wisconsin-republicans-maintain-control-of-legislature/article_5ddad096-4d09-5250-90ea-6ee014a7488d.html|title=Wisconsin Republicans maintain control of Legislature|date=November 7, 2018 }}</ref> the party maintained their overwhelming control of the legislature despite receiving fewer total votes.


Congressional districts have been disputed since at least 2016. After Republican Governor [[Scott Walker (politician)|Scott Walker]] then signed a [[redistricting]] plan,<ref name="js22">{{cite news|last1=Stein|first1=Jason|last2=Marley|first2=Patrick|title=Federal court strikes down GOP-drawn maps|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/21/federal-court-strikes-down-gop-drawn-maps/94233560/|access-date=24 November 2016|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> at least one U.S. court found the districts to be unconstitutional partisan [[gerrymandering]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Michael Wines|author-link=Michael Wines|title=Judges Find Wisconsin Redistricting Unfairly Favored Republicans|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/us/wisconsin-redistricting-found-to-unfairly-favor-republicans.html?_r=0|access-date=24 November 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=22 November 2016|page=A1}}</ref> Other controversies involve "prison gerrymandering," where prisoners whose residence outside of prison are counted towards the population of the district where their prison is located.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Haverty|first1=Natasha|title=By counting prisoners where they're incarcerated, Wisconsin shifts voter clout from cities to small towns|url=https://www.jsonline.com/in-depth/news/2021/10/15/when-new-political-districts-drawn-power-skewed-areas-prisons-through-prison-gerrymandering/5950103001/|access-date=15 October 2021|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=21 October 2021}}</ref>
Congressional districts have been disputed since at least 2016. After Republican Governor [[Scott Walker (politician)|Scott Walker]] then signed a [[redistricting]] plan,<ref name="js22">{{cite news|last1=Stein|first1=Jason|last2=Marley|first2=Patrick|title=Federal court strikes down GOP-drawn maps|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/21/federal-court-strikes-down-gop-drawn-maps/94233560/|access-date=24 November 2016|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=22 November 2016}}</ref> at least one U.S. court found the districts to be unconstitutional partisan [[gerrymandering]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Michael Wines|author-link=Michael Wines|title=Judges Find Wisconsin Redistricting Unfairly Favored Republicans|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/us/wisconsin-redistricting-found-to-unfairly-favor-republicans.html?_r=0|access-date=24 November 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=22 November 2016|page=A1}}</ref> Other controversies include "prison gerrymandering," where prisons are counted towards the population of a district despite its inmates coming from elsewhere.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Haverty|first1=Natasha|title=By counting prisoners where they're incarcerated, Wisconsin shifts voter clout from cities to small towns|url=https://www.jsonline.com/in-depth/news/2021/10/15/when-new-political-districts-drawn-power-skewed-areas-prisons-through-prison-gerrymandering/5950103001/|access-date=15 October 2021|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=21 October 2021}}</ref> On December 22, 2023, the [[Wisconsin Supreme Court]] ruled in [[Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission]] that the state legislative maps violated the contiguity requirement of Article IV, Sections 4 and 5 of the [[Constitution of Wisconsin]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Here's what to know about the Wisconsin Supreme Court's gerrymandering ruling |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/22/wisconsin-supreme-court-gerrymandering-ruling-heres-what-to-know/72014713007/ |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=Journal Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref> The Court ordered the legislature to draw new maps ahead of the [[2024 Wisconsin elections]].<ref name=":0" />


==Membership==
==Membership==
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To serve in the Wisconsin Legislature, individuals must be a [[Residency (domicile)|resident]] of the state for at least one year preceding his or her election and be a qualified elector in the district they are elected to represent.<ref name="legislative">[https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/wiscon/_13/_6 Article IV], Wisconsin Constitution (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref>
To serve in the Wisconsin Legislature, individuals must be a [[Residency (domicile)|resident]] of the state for at least one year preceding his or her election and be a qualified elector in the district they are elected to represent.<ref name="legislative">[https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/wiscon/_13/_6 Article IV], Wisconsin Constitution (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref>


All 99 members of the Wisconsin Assembly are elected in a two year term cycle without [[term limits in the United States|term limits]]. Similarly, all 33 members of the Wisconsin Senate are elected in a four year cycle, also without term limits.<ref name="legislative"/> Half of the Senate is elected every two years.<ref name="legislative"/> Prior to an amendment in the [[Wisconsin Constitution]] in 1881, Assembly members served a one year term, while Senators were elected every two years. The [[100th Wisconsin Legislature]] began on January 3, 2011.
All 99 members of the Wisconsin Assembly are elected in a two-year term cycle without [[term limits in the United States|term limits]]. Similarly, all 33 members of the Wisconsin Senate are elected in a four year cycle, also without term limits.<ref name="legislative"/> Half of the Senate is elected every two years.<ref name="legislative"/> Prior to an amendment in the [[Wisconsin Constitution]] in 1881, Assembly members served a one-year term, while Senators were elected every two years. The [[106th Wisconsin Legislature]] began on January 3, 2023.


===Officers===
===Officers===
Members of both houses of the Legislature vote within their ranks to select presiding officers, such as the [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker of the Assembly]] and the [[President of the Senate]]. These high level positions reflect the party majority in both chambers. An amendment to the state constitution in 1979 removed the [[Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin]] as the presiding officer of the Senate, allowing Senators to vote within their ranks for a chamber president. Similarly, [[majority leader|majority]] and [[minority leader]]s are also selected by party strength in the legislative houses and within their own respective caucus.
Members of both houses of the legislature vote within their ranks to select presiding officers, such as the [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker of the Assembly]] and the [[President of the Senate]]. These high level positions reflect the party majority in both chambers. An amendment to the state constitution in 1979 removed the [[Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin]] as the presiding officer of the Senate, allowing Senators to vote within their ranks for a chamber president. Similarly, [[majority leader|majority]] and [[minority leader]]s are also selected by party strength in the legislative houses and within their own respective caucus.


===Salary and benefits===
===Salary and benefits===
Legislators receive an annual salary of $49,943 and a per diem of up to $88 to cover living expenses when they are in [[Dane County, Wisconsin]] on state business, unless their district is in [[Dane County, Wisconsin|Dane County]]. Members of the [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]] delegation may receive a per diem up to $44 to cover expenses. Legislators also receive $75 per month in "out-of-session" pay when the Legislature is in session for three days or less. Over two years, each legislator is allotted $66,008 to cover general office expenses, printing, postage and district mailings. {{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}
Legislators in both the Senate and the Assembly receive an annual salary of $55,141. Senators receive per diem of up to $115 to cover living expenses when they are in [[Dane County, Wisconsin]] on state business, unless their district is in [[Dane County, Wisconsin|Dane County]], in which case they receive per diem of up to $57.50. Assembly members outside of Dane County receive overnight per diem up to $155. Otherwise, they receive $76.50 per diem, the same rate as assembly members in Dane County. Legislators also receive $75 per month in "out-of-session" pay when the legislature is in session for three days or less. Over two years, each legislator is allotted $66,008 to cover general office expenses, printing, postage and district mailings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/2022-legislator-compensation.aspx|title=2022 Legislator Compensation|website=ncsl.org}}</ref>


==Rules and procedures==
==Rules and procedures==
In both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature, a quorum is defined as a majority of current members. The majority of a quorum is needed to pass legislation on the floor of the chamber.<ref name="rules">[https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/rules/joint#/2013/related/rules/joint/_42 Procedures Derived from State Constitution] Wisconsin Legislature (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref> Three-fifths of the members elected is the quorum necessary for passage or concurrence in either house of any fiscal bill. Proposals may not be introduced or offered unless they are put in proper form by the legislative reference staff if requested by members or members-elect of the legislature.<ref name="rules"/>
In both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature, a quorum is defined as a majority of current members. The majority of a quorum is needed to pass legislation on the floor of the chamber.<ref name="rules">[https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2013/related/rules/joint#/2013/related/rules/joint/_42 Procedures Derived from State Constitution] Wisconsin Legislature (accessed April 25, 2013)</ref> Three-fifths of the members elected is the quorum necessary for passage or concurrence in either house of any fiscal bill. Proposals may not be introduced or offered unless they are put in proper form by the legislative reference staff if requested by members or members-elect of the legislature.<ref name="rules"/> Both houses of the legislature review a bill before it becomes law, and if each chamber approves the bill, the state's [[Governor of Wisconsin|Governor]] will review it. If the Governor signs the bill, it passes into law, but if the Governor [[veto]]es the bill, it will return to the legislature. It is possible for the legislature to override a veto and pass the bill into law itself, but this requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the [[Wisconsin Senate|Senate]] and the [[Wisconsin State Assembly|State Assembly]].<ref>Justia, [https://law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/ Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations], accessed 4 September 2022</ref>

==Law of Wisconsin==
State law is contained in the [[Constitution of Wisconsin|Wisconsin Constitution]] and the various statutes enacted by the legislature.

The interpretation of state law and its application in specific [[case law|case]]s are undertaken by the [[Wisconsin Supreme Court]], based in [[Madison, Wisconsin]]. The law of the [[Menominee]] also applies within the [[Menominee Indian Reservation]]. The "Laws of Wisconsin" are published annually by the state's legislative reference bureau, "no later than the end of each session".<ref>Wisconsin Statutes, [https://law.justia.com/codes/wisconsin/2021/chapter-35/section-35-15/ 35.15 Laws of Wisconsin], accessed 3 September 2022</ref>

==See also==
*[[Alcohol laws of Wisconsin]]
*[[Gun laws in Wisconsin]]
*[[Impeachment in Wisconsin]]
* [[List of Wisconsin state legislatures]]


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Wisconsin Legislature| ]]
[[Category:Wisconsin Legislature| ]]
[[Category:Bicameral legislatures]]
[[Category:Bicameral legislatures]]
[[Category:Wisconsin law]]
[[Category: State law in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 12:42, 30 July 2024

Wisconsin State Legislature
106th Wisconsin Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
HousesSenate
Assembly
Leadership
Chris Kapenga (R)
since January 4, 2021
Senate Majority Leader
Devin LeMahieu (R)
since January 4, 2021
Robin Vos (R)
since January 7, 2013
Assembly Majority Leader
Tyler August (R)
since January 3, 2023
Structure
Seats132
33 Senators[2]
99 Representatives[3]
Senate political groups
  •   Republican (22)
  •   Democratic (10)
  •   Vacant (1)
Assembly political groups
AuthorityArticle IV, Wisconsin Constitution
Salary$57,407 + per diem[1]
Elections
Last Senate election
November 8, 2022
Last Assembly election
November 8, 2022
Next Senate election
November 5, 2024
Next Assembly election
November 5, 2024
Meeting place
Wisconsin State Capitol
Madison
Website
https://legis.wisconsin.gov

The Wisconsin Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house, Wisconsin State Senate, and the lower Wisconsin State Assembly, both of which have had Republican majorities since January 2011. With both houses combined, the legislature has 132 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. The legislature convenes at the state capitol in Madison.

The current sitting is the 106th Wisconsin Legislature.

History

[edit]

The United States first organized Wisconsin in 1787 under the Northwest Ordinance after Great Britain yielded the land to them in the Treaty of Paris. It became the Wisconsin Territory in 1836 and a U.S. state on May 29, 1848.[4] The 1850s saw an influx of European immigrants.[5] The legislature was dominated alternately by two political parties in its first century: the Republican and Progressive parties.

In 1995, the Republican Party took control of the legislature for the first time since 1969, and have maintained their control of both houses since, except for a brief period between 2009 and 2011. In the 2016 Wisconsin elections, Republicans secured their largest majority in the Assembly since 1956,[6] and in 2018,[7] the party maintained their overwhelming control of the legislature despite receiving fewer total votes.

Congressional districts have been disputed since at least 2016. After Republican Governor Scott Walker then signed a redistricting plan,[6] at least one U.S. court found the districts to be unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering.[8] Other controversies include "prison gerrymandering," where prisons are counted towards the population of a district despite its inmates coming from elsewhere.[9] On December 22, 2023, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in Clarke v. Wisconsin Elections Commission that the state legislative maps violated the contiguity requirement of Article IV, Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution of Wisconsin.[10] The Court ordered the legislature to draw new maps ahead of the 2024 Wisconsin elections.[10]

Membership

[edit]

Qualifications and terms

[edit]

To serve in the Wisconsin Legislature, individuals must be a resident of the state for at least one year preceding his or her election and be a qualified elector in the district they are elected to represent.[11]

All 99 members of the Wisconsin Assembly are elected in a two-year term cycle without term limits. Similarly, all 33 members of the Wisconsin Senate are elected in a four year cycle, also without term limits.[11] Half of the Senate is elected every two years.[11] Prior to an amendment in the Wisconsin Constitution in 1881, Assembly members served a one-year term, while Senators were elected every two years. The 106th Wisconsin Legislature began on January 3, 2023.

Officers

[edit]

Members of both houses of the legislature vote within their ranks to select presiding officers, such as the Speaker of the Assembly and the President of the Senate. These high level positions reflect the party majority in both chambers. An amendment to the state constitution in 1979 removed the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin as the presiding officer of the Senate, allowing Senators to vote within their ranks for a chamber president. Similarly, majority and minority leaders are also selected by party strength in the legislative houses and within their own respective caucus.

Salary and benefits

[edit]

Legislators in both the Senate and the Assembly receive an annual salary of $55,141. Senators receive per diem of up to $115 to cover living expenses when they are in Dane County, Wisconsin on state business, unless their district is in Dane County, in which case they receive per diem of up to $57.50. Assembly members outside of Dane County receive overnight per diem up to $155. Otherwise, they receive $76.50 per diem, the same rate as assembly members in Dane County. Legislators also receive $75 per month in "out-of-session" pay when the legislature is in session for three days or less. Over two years, each legislator is allotted $66,008 to cover general office expenses, printing, postage and district mailings.[12]

Rules and procedures

[edit]

In both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature, a quorum is defined as a majority of current members. The majority of a quorum is needed to pass legislation on the floor of the chamber.[13] Three-fifths of the members elected is the quorum necessary for passage or concurrence in either house of any fiscal bill. Proposals may not be introduced or offered unless they are put in proper form by the legislative reference staff if requested by members or members-elect of the legislature.[13] Both houses of the legislature review a bill before it becomes law, and if each chamber approves the bill, the state's Governor will review it. If the Governor signs the bill, it passes into law, but if the Governor vetoes the bill, it will return to the legislature. It is possible for the legislature to override a veto and pass the bill into law itself, but this requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the State Assembly.[14]

Law of Wisconsin

[edit]

State law is contained in the Wisconsin Constitution and the various statutes enacted by the legislature.

The interpretation of state law and its application in specific cases are undertaken by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, based in Madison, Wisconsin. The law of the Menominee also applies within the Menominee Indian Reservation. The "Laws of Wisconsin" are published annually by the state's legislative reference bureau, "no later than the end of each session".[15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Salaries of Wisconsin State Elected Officials, 2023" (PDF). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "2019 Wisconsin State Senators". docs.legis.wisconsin.gov.
  3. ^ "2019 Wisconsin State Representatives". docs.legis.wisconsin.gov.
  4. ^ Highlights of History in Wisconsin, Wisconsin Blue Book 2011-2012 (accessed April 25, 2013)
  5. ^ 19th Century Immigration, Wisconsin Historical Society (accessed April 25, 2013)
  6. ^ a b Stein, Jason; Marley, Patrick (November 22, 2016). "Federal court strikes down GOP-drawn maps". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  7. ^ "Wisconsin Republicans maintain control of Legislature". November 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Michael Wines (November 22, 2016). "Judges Find Wisconsin Redistricting Unfairly Favored Republicans". The New York Times. p. A1. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  9. ^ Haverty, Natasha (October 21, 2021). "By counting prisoners where they're incarcerated, Wisconsin shifts voter clout from cities to small towns". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Here's what to know about the Wisconsin Supreme Court's gerrymandering ruling". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Article IV, Wisconsin Constitution (accessed April 25, 2013)
  12. ^ "2022 Legislator Compensation". ncsl.org.
  13. ^ a b Procedures Derived from State Constitution Wisconsin Legislature (accessed April 25, 2013)
  14. ^ Justia, Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations, accessed 4 September 2022
  15. ^ Wisconsin Statutes, 35.15 Laws of Wisconsin, accessed 3 September 2022
[edit]
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