Bill
Bill > AB514
summary
Introduced
10/15/2025
10/15/2025
In Committee
02/25/2026
02/25/2026
Crossed Over
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Passed
Dead
03/23/2026
03/23/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, Kenosha County has eight circuit court branches, Brown County has eight circuit court branches, and Menominee and Shawano Counties have two circuit court branches. This bill adds four circuit court branches: one in Brown County beginning August 1, 2027, one in Menominee and Shawano Counties beginning August 1, 2027, one in Brown County beginning August 1, 2028, and one in Kenosha County beginning August 1, 2028. This bill provides position authority for many court and criminal justice system employees in the 2027-29 biennium, as follows: 1. Beginning August 1, 2027, two judges. 2. Beginning August 1, 2028, two judges. 3. Beginning August 1, 2027, two court reporters. 4. Beginning August 1, 2028, two court reporters. 5. Beginning August 1, 2027, 30.5 assistant district attorneys. 6. Beginning August 1, 2028, 34 assistant district attorneys. 7. Beginning August 1, 2027, 13 assistant state public defenders. 8. Beginning August 1, 2028, nine assistant state public defenders. 9. Beginning August 1, 2027, 23 state public defender support staff positions. 10. Beginning August 1, 2028, positions. The bill requires the director of state courts, the district attorneys, and the public defender board to include a request for funding for the positions authorized under this bill in their 2027-29 biennial budget requests. This bill also requires the director of state courts, the public defender board, and the district attorneys to submit to the legislature by December 31, 2032 a report that analyzes the workload and assesses the personnel needs for their operations. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill increases the number of judicial branches and associated positions in several Wisconsin counties over two years. Specifically, Kenosha County will add one circuit court branch (from 8 to 9) starting August 1, 2028, Brown County will increase from 8 to 9 branches in 2027 and then to 10 branches in 2028, and the Menominee and Shawano Counties circuit will expand from 2 to 3 branches in 2027. Along with these new judicial branches, the bill authorizes corresponding increases in circuit judges, court reporters, assistant district attorneys, assistant state public defenders, and support staff for various counties. Each new position is funded through general purpose revenue (GPR) and is tied to specific election timelines for judicial positions. The bill also requires a workload analysis report by December 31, 2032, to assess the personnel needs for the court system, public defender board, and district attorneys. These changes are part of a broader effort to enhance judicial and criminal justice system capacity across multiple Wisconsin counties.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (19)
Scott Allen (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Barbara Dittrich (R)*,
Robert Donovan (R)*,
Benjamin Franklin (R)*,
Joy Goeben (R)*,
Rick Gundrum (R)*,
Brent Jacobson (R)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Dan Knodl (R)*,
Rob Kreibich (R)*,
Anthony Kurtz (R)*,
Paul Melotik (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Jeff Mursau (R)*,
Adam Neylon (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
David Steffen (R)*,
Eric Wimberger (R),
Last Action
Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 (on 03/23/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab514 |
| AB514 ROCP for Committee on Senate Organization | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/senate_organization/1985000.pdf |
| Assembly Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB514-ASA1-AA1.pdf |
| Analysis - LC Amendment Memo | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/lcamendmentmemos/2025/REG/AB514.pdf |
| AB514 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/judiciary/1964234.pdf |
| Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB514-ASA1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - AB514: Fiscal Estimate From DA | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab514/ab514_da.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - AB514: Fiscal Estimate From SPD | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab514/ab514_spd.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB514.pdf |
Loading...