Frequently Asked Questions

What topics to contact the Senate Chief Clerk’s office about?

The Senate Chief Clerk’s office can answer questions about the procedural state of proposed legislation or other matters before the Senate. It is not an effective resource for questions or concerns about state or federal government policies. On such matters it is more effective to contact the applicable government agency, or the legislators who represent you. See below "Contact Your Senator" and "Legislature Contact Information" 

When Does the Legislative Session Begin and End?

The Wisconsin Legislature operates in a biennial (two-year) session that lasts from early January of the odd-numbered year to March of the even-numbered year. While the Legislature does not schedule floorperiods after March of the even-numbered year, they may call themselves into an extraordinary session, or the Governor can call a special session.

What is a Companion Bill?

A companion bill is a bill that is identical to a bill introduced in the other house.

How Do I Find All Bills Authored by a Senator?

You may go to an individual Senator's details page to see all the proposals that individual Senator has authored or co-sponsored.

How Can I Identify My Senator?

Find your legislator using the legislature's home page to find the names of your state senator by entering your street address or municipality.

How Can I Contact My Senator?

If you do not already know who your Senator is, the easiest way is to find your legislators to locate email, phone, and address information. If you already know your Senator, you can also use the Senator listings to find a legislator.

How Do I Find How a Senator Voted on a Bill?

All votes are linked from each bill's page if you want to see a specific bill. Locate the bill using the search and click on the vote result you want to see more details. You may also go to an individual Senator's details page to see all the particular Senator's votes.

What is the Deadline for the Governor to Sign a Bill?

Bills are sent to the Governor throughout the legislative session. The Governor may call for bills, or the full Senate or the Senate Majority leader may direct bills to be sent. There are also deadlines built into the session schedule for any remaining enrolled bills to be sent to the Governor. After the Governor has been presented a bill, they have six days to take action on it, excluding Sundays.

How Long is a Senate Term?

Senators are elected to four-year terms.

When Are Senators Elected?

Senators' terms are staggered. Even-numbered districts are elected during presidential elections, and odd-numbered districts are elected two years later, during the gubernatorial elections.

Can I Watch the Senate In Person During a Floor Session?

The Senate galleries are located on the third floor in the south wing. They overlook the Senate floor and are open to the public during a floor session.

What is the Senate Journal?

The journal is the official record of legislative proceedings prepared by each house of the legislature. The preparation of legislative journals is required under the Wisconsin Constitution.

What is the Senate Bulletin?

The bulletin is a directory of the officers, members, committees of the legislature, status of business, bills enacted into law, acts originating in the Senate, bills vetoed, joint resolutions enrolled and deposited with the secretary of state, and the complete history of Senate action and Senate petitions, and the history of senate advice and consent on nominations for appointment.

What is the Matters Available List?

The matters available list consists of all items in the committee on Senate Organization and are available to be scheduled on a calendar.

Can I Watch a Committee or Session Online?

Wisconsin Eye streams and records legislative committee hearings and floor sessions of both houses.

What Are the Different Types of Committee Meetings?

Committees hold three kinds of meetings: public hearings, executive sessions, and information hearings. At a public hearing, committee members learn about bills in the committee through testimony presented by the author, experts, lobbyists, and members of the public who have an interest in the bills. At executive sessions, committees prepare bills for consideration on the floor by voting to recommend adoption of amendments they consider necessary and to recommend passage of the bills they want to see advance in the process. In the Senate, executive sessions may be held by paper ballot. At an informational hearing, the committee will hear testimony typically from invited speakers only from experts on a specific subject of interest to the committee.

How do I Participate in a Public Hearing?

Any member of the public can attend public hearings. You may register to speak on a bill or even register your position on a bill. Written testimony is also accepted from those speaking or registering and is distributed to all committee members.

What is the Difference Between a Special Session and an Extraordinary Session?

A special session is called by the Governor through an executive order. An extraordinary session is called by the legislature, through the Assembly and Senate Committees on Organization, by petition, or by a joint resolution of the legislature.

How Often do the Houses Elect Officers?

Every two years.

What do the Different Statuses Mean?

• Available for Scheduling: The proposal is through the committee process, in the committee on Senate Organization, and available to be scheduled for a floor vote
• Calendar: The proposal is on an agenda for a legislative day
• Enacted into law: The bill has been signed by the Governor
• Hold (Available for Scheduling): The Senate took up the Assembly version of the bill
• Received concurred in as amended: Senate received bill and needs to concur in as amended
• Nonconcurred in: The refusal of one house to agree to a proposal, amendment, or action of the other
• Tabled: The proposal was tabled during Session and not revived
• Vetoed: Governor vetoed the bill preventing it from becoming law
• Vetoed in part: Governor vetoed parts of the bill then enacted into law
• Veto Sustained: Governor’s veto prevails
• S- and A- : Indicate Senate and Assembly jurisdiction
• S-(Committee): The bill currently is in this committee

Visit the glossary page of the Wisconsin State Legislature site to learn more terms specific to the senate.