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WI SB226
WI SB226Determination of where a defendant resides or does substantial business for purposes of venue.
summary
Introduced
04/25/2025
04/25/2025
In Committee
04/25/2025
04/25/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, with certain exceptions, venue in civil actions or special proceedings must be in either the county where the claim arose, the county where the real or tangible personal property, or some part thereof, which is the subject of the claim is situated, the county where a defendant resides or does substantial business, or, if none of the foregoing apply, in any county designated by the plaintiff. This bill provides that, for the purposes of determining whether a county is a proper venue based on where a defendant resides or does substantial business, a court may not consider the participation of a party joined to the civil action or special proceeding because their joinder is needed for just and complete adjudication, as provided under current law, or a party joined to the civil action or special proceeding whose joinder is permissive, as provided under current law. Further, this bill provides that, for the purposes of determining where a business entity resides or does substantial business, a business entity shall be deemed to reside in the place of incorporation or organization and shall be deemed to do substantial business only in the county of its principal place of business. LRB-1971/1 JPC&SWB:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 226
AI Summary
This bill modifies Wisconsin's legal venue rules for civil actions by establishing two key provisions: First, when determining proper venue based on where a defendant resides or does substantial business, courts cannot consider parties joined to the civil action for just and complete adjudication (under section 803.03) or permissive joinder (under section 803.04), such as insurers. Second, the bill clarifies the definition of a business entity's residence and substantial business location, specifying that a corporation, limited liability company, or other business entity is considered to reside in its place of incorporation and is deemed to be doing substantial business only in the county of its principal place of business. These changes aim to provide more precise and predictable guidelines for determining the appropriate county for legal proceedings, potentially limiting the factors that can influence venue selection and simplifying the venue determination process for courts and litigants.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (9)
Dan Feyen (R)*,
Howard Marklein (R)*,
Romaine Quinn (R)*,
Scott Allen (R),
Robert Brooks (R),
Cindi Duchow (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 09/17/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb226 |
| SB226 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety On 9/17/2025 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1942388.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB226.pdf |
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