Bill
Bill > SB546
summary
Introduced
10/17/2025
10/17/2025
In Committee
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
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. LRB-5086/1 MJW:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 546 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 addresses judicial and criminal justice system staffing by expanding circuit court branches and adding new positions across several Wisconsin counties. Specifically, the bill adds one new circuit court branch to Brown County (effective August 1, 2027 and another on August 1, 2028), one new branch to Menominee and Shawano Counties (August 1, 2027), and one new branch to Kenosha County (August 1, 2028). Along with these additional court branches, the bill authorizes new judicial and support positions, including four new circuit judges, four new court reporters, 30.5 additional assistant district attorneys in 2027 (increasing to 34 in 2028), 13 assistant state public defenders in 2027 (decreasing to 9 in 2028), and 23 state public defender support staff positions in 2027 (reducing to 18 in 2028). These positions will be distributed across various counties to support their local court and legal systems. The bill requires the director of state courts, district attorneys, and public defender board to include funding requests for these new positions in their 2027-29 biennial budget and mandates a comprehensive workload analysis report to be submitted to the legislature by December 31, 2032.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (19)
Eric Wimberger (R)*,
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),
Last Action
Available for scheduling (on 02/16/2026)
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/sb546 |
| Analysis - LC Amendment Memo | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/lcamendmentmemos/2025/REG/SB546.pdf |
| SB546 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety On 2/16/2026 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/senate/judiciary_and_public_safety/1973311.pdf |
| Senate Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB546-SSA1-SA1.pdf |
| Senate Substitute Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB546-SSA1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB546: Fiscal Estimate From DA | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb546/sb546_da.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB546: Fiscal Estimate From SPD | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb546/sb546_spd.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB546.pdf |
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