summary
Introduced
08/25/2025
08/25/2025
In Committee
08/25/2025
08/25/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Current law authorizes the speaker of the assembly, the senate majority leader, and the cochairpersons of the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization to retain legal counsel for a number of purposes. These purposes include retention of legal counsel for matters affecting the interests of the assembly, senate, or legislature. Also, by longstanding practice and constitutional authority, each house, or the houses jointly, may retain legal counsel by action of the full body or bodies or by action of the Committee on Assembly Organization, the Committee on Senate Organization, or JCLO. This bill provides that the assembly, the senate, and the houses jointly, and any legislator or legislative committee, may not obtain legal counsel other than from the Department of Justice unless that action is submitted to the full house, or houses in the case of a joint appointment, and the appointment of legal counsel is approved by a majority of the members present and voting of the house or houses.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the existing statutes regarding how the Wisconsin legislature can obtain legal counsel by adding a new requirement for approval of external legal representation. Currently, the speaker of the assembly, senate majority leader, and cochairpersons of the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization (JCLO) have sole discretion to obtain legal counsel outside the Department of Justice for actions affecting their respective bodies' interests. The bill introduces a new provision that mandates any such external legal counsel appointment must first be submitted to the full legislative body (either the specific house or both houses in joint cases) and must receive approval from a majority of members present and voting. This means that instead of unilateral decisions by legislative leaders, any request to hire external legal counsel will now require broader legislative approval. The bill maintains the existing framework for paying legal representation costs from specific appropriations but adds an additional layer of democratic oversight to the process of selecting legal counsel.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (22)
Tim Carpenter (D)*,
LaTonya Johnson (D)*,
Chris Larson (D)*,
Melissa Ratcliff (D)*,
Mark Spreitzer (D)*,
Deb Andraca (D),
Mike Bare (D),
Ryan Clancy (D),
Joan Fitzgerald (D),
Andrew Hysell (D),
Alex Joers (D),
Karen Kirsch (D),
Darrin Madison (D),
Supreme Moore Omokunde (D),
Christian Phelps (D),
Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D),
Ann Roe (D),
Joe Sheehan (D),
Christine Sinicki (D),
Angela Stroud (D),
Shelia Stubbs (D),
Angelito Tenorio (D),
Last Action
Representative Arney added as a cosponsor (on 09/09/2025)
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/sb397 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB397.pdf |
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