Publications

In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision prohibiting discrimination in the workplace because of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The Court relied heavily on the ordinary meaning of the phrase “on the basis of sex” from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act in arriving at its conclusion, using a “but-for” causation standard. This statutory interpretation of Title VII could affect other areas of the law that contain the same language, including Title IX, Wisconsin’s Public Accommodation Law, and Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, as discussed briefly below.

This information memorandum discusses state law regarding wholesalers and their interactions with the other tiers in Wisconsin’s three-tier system, including changes made with the enactment of 2023 Wisconsin Act 73 that take effect on May 1, 2024. It does not discuss the Brand Compensation or Fair Dealership Laws, which provide wholesalers with certain rights regarding the brands of beer or liquor that they distribute and are discussed in a separate issue brief.

In addition to an 1849 law, the Legislature has enacted various laws relating to abortion over the last several decades. Those laws remain “on the books,” require compliance by physicians, and may be enforced at the discretion of prosecutors, if the elements of the crime apply. This issue brief provides a snapshot of some of the commonly referenced abortion restrictions and procedural requirements.

Among other provisions, 2023 Wisconsin Act 73 expands the ability of permitted brewers, manufacturers, rectifiers, and wineries (“producers”) to make retail sales of alcohol beverages and establishes regulations that are consistent for each type of permit. These changes are effective on May 1, 2024.

Under Wisconsin law, an unauthorized occupant cannot obtain tenant rights solely by occupying a dwelling for a certain amount of time. This means that the mere act of occupying a dwelling does not confer the protections of the eviction process to an unauthorized occupant; instead, the dwelling owner may ask law enforcement to remove the unauthorized occupant as a trespasser. This issue brief summarizes criminal trespass to a dwelling by an unauthorized occupant and then provides information on tenant rights, holdover tenants, and adverse possession. 

This issue brief provides background on extraordinary sessions, explains the key differences between an extraordinary session and special session, and summarizes a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that upheld the authority of the Legislature to convene in extraordinary session.

This issue brief provides background on special sessions, including an explanation of the constitutional provisions and legislative rules that apply to special sessions. This issue brief also explains the key differences between a special session and extraordinary session.

Driving on the highways of this state is a privilege, not a right. The state may reasonably regulate that privilege, including by requiring a driver to obtain motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. In 2010, Wisconsin parted ways with New Hampshire by joining 48 other states and the District of Columbia in requiring auto liability insurance coverage. This issue brief highlights the principles of that coverage, exceptions to coverage requirements, penalties, and enforcement mechanisms.