Publications

Some of the most complex issues that arise regarding interactions with tribal governments relate to the question of jurisdiction—that is, whether a state, federal, or tribal government has the authority to enforce a law in a given context. This complexity arises because jurisdiction over tribal land, specifically Indian country, varies depending on the type of law at issue, the location of the underlying action, and the identity of the parties. This information memorandum summarizes the law on sovereignty and jurisdiction on tribal land in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin statutes provide tuition and fee remission for qualifying veterans and their family members at University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Technical College System institutions. This state education benefit, commonly referred to as the “Wisconsin GI Bill,” is in addition to any federal education benefits veterans and their family members may be eligible for, namely the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty and Selected Reserve. This issue brief summarizes the eligibility requirements and benefits under the Wisconsin GI Bill for veterans and family members.

In general, state law defines a school bus as a motor vehicle carrying 10 or more passengers in addition to the operator for the purpose of transporting pupils to or from school, curricular or extracurricular activities, or religious instruction on a day school is in session, or for the purpose of transporting children with disabilities to or from an approved educational program. State statutes impose certain requirements and restrictions on school bus equipment and operators. They also establish traffic safety standards to safeguard school buses and their passengers. In addition, the Department of Transportation (DOT) may issue rules on the design, construction, inspection, and operation of a school bus. This issue brief describes certain of those statutes and rules.

In Wisconsin, the Legislature must generally pass a budget every two years in order to expend revenues for continuing state government operations. This information memorandum provides an overview of the budget process in order to assist readers in understanding the format and timeline of the budget process. It also provides a brief introduction of the veto process and key concepts associated with the state budget, including nonbudget fiscal bills.

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.

The Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended, is a comprehensive federal law that regulates outdoor air
pollutants. Much of the state’s air pollution program in ch. 285, Stats., implements the CAA. This issue
brief highlights some key provisions of the CAA and corresponding provisions in state law.

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.

In 1909, state law authorized a sheriff, officer, or humane society agent to remove and care for a horse or other animal that was found to be cruelly exposed to the weather, starved, neglected, or abandoned. The animal cruelty laws have been revised since that time, but the general framework of local enforcement of state law remains in place, where local humane or law enforcement officers enforce state laws and local ordinances relating to crimes against animals. This issue brief provides an overview of current animal mistreatment laws.