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 current legislative floorperiod began on October 18, 2011 and is scheduled to last until November 3. Both houses have scheduled floor sessions for Tuesday, October 25.
On September 28, Governor Walker issued Executive Order 45 calling the legislature into special session beginning on September 29 to consider legislation on a variety of topics, including economic development issues such as entrepreneurial and investment tax credits, tax incremental financing districts, and small business loan guarantees. The Assembly has indicated it intends to convene the special session on the same days as the regular session during October and November.
The Legislature has RSS feeds for both recently introduced legislation and recent session activity. Our Facebook page also has links to recently introduced bills.
The Senate passed 2011 Senate Bill 92, prohibiting coverage of abortion through health care exchanges under the federal health care law, 17-16, on October 20.
The Senate passed 2011 Senate Bill 95, revising pupil discipline and teacher evaluation requirements, 17-16, on October 20.
The Senate passed 2011 Senate Bill 174, closing the parental school choice program to schools not already qualified as eligible, on a voice vote, on October 18.
The Assembly has set a calendar of bills for Tuesday, October 25.
2011 Assembly Bill 161 and 2011 Senate Bill 116, moving the date of the September Primary, are both on the Assembly calendar for October 25.
On September 2, Governor Walker issued Executive Order 41, which orders a special election for the 95th Assembly District seat, formerly held by now-Senator Jennifer Shilling, on November 8. A primary was held on October 11, with La Crosse County Supervisor Jill Billings winning a four-way Democratic primary. She will face Republican candidate David Drewes in the general election.
As of October 21, 45 acts have been signed into law. You can find them here.
Legislative committee activity is available on the Schedule of Committee Activities.
The 2011-2012 Wisconsin Blue Book is now available online. It may be ordered from the Department of Administration, Document Sales Unit, (608) 266-3358. The price is yet to be determined.
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 19, 2012