Maintained by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), this page provides an overview of recent and upcoming activities in the Wisconsin Legislature. The LRB revises its content weekly. Links to more detailed information are highlighted in the text.
The 2011-2012 legislative session began when the new legislature was sworn in on January 3, 2011. The schedule of floorperiods for the new session was established by Senate Joint Resolution 1. The January special session is ongoing. The next regular floorperiod begins February 22.
Governor Scott Walker has announced selected details of the upcoming budget adjustment bill he intends to present to the legislature, but the bill has not yet been officially introduced.
Governor Walker called the legislature into special session on January 4 to consider legislation on a variety of topics, including tax credits, tort law, medical savings accounts, and other legislation relating to taxation.
Business Job Creation Tax Credits. On February 4, Governor Walker signed Special Session Assembly Bill 7, for income and franchise tax credits for each job that a business creates in Wisconsin. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 5.
Brown County Wetland Exemption. On February 7, Governor Walker signed Special Session Senate Bill 10, to exempt a wetland near Lambeau Field in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, from water quality standards and other environmental regulations to allow development on the site. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 6.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. On February 9, Governor Walker signed Special Session Senate Bill 6, with a partial veto, to create the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 7.
One special session bill is currently enrolled and awaiting approval by the governor as of February 11.
Tax Increase Supermajority. Special Session Assembly Bill 5, proposes the requirement of a supermajority for the passage of tax increase legislation.
Auto Insurance. On January 27, The Assembly Committee on Insurance reported that Assembly Bill 4 was recommended for passage with amendments. The bill proposes to reduce the minimum limits of coverage required for acceptable proof of financial responsibility for motor vehicles and repeals certain consumer protections enacted during the 2009 legislative session. Two amendments were adopted on February 2.
Administrative Rules Procedures. On February 10, the Senate approved, with amendments, Special Session Assembly Bill 8, which seeks to require gubernatorial approval of proposed administrative rules and other changes to rule-making procedures. The Assembly had passed the bill on February 2. The bill now goes back to the Assembly for consideration of the Senate amendments.
All introduced legislation can be found on the Legislature's Searchable Infobases site, or by using the "Request text and history of legislative proposals" function on the home page. Be sure to select "Jan 2011 Special Session" as the session to be able to view Special Session bills.
2011-12 Assembly and Senate Committee chairs and membership have been announced.
See the Schedule of Committee Activities for further information about locations and times of committee hearings held by standing or special committees.
The H. Rupert Theobald Library recently released a new "Tap the Power" bibliography on Executive Budget Support Documentation.
For more information about Legislative Service Agency publications, see the left panel of the Spotlight index page.
Send comments to LRB.Reference@legis.wisconsin.gov
Last revised: November 15, 2012