Assembly Bill 56
Retail theft, proof of ownership for flea market sales, and providing penalties
Topics: Crime and criminals, Crime and criminals: Felony, Fines, Legislature: Criminal Penalties, Joint Review Committee on, Sales, Sentences and penalties
Became law
The governor signed it on Apr 3, 2012. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Mar 21, 2011
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed Feb 21, 2012
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Mar 6, 2012
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2011 Wisconsin Act 174
Latest entry in the official record, Apr 5, 2012: “Published 4-16-2012”
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Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
What it does
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
Under current law, the penalty for retail theft varies according to the value of the merchandise taken. Retail theft is a Class G felony if the value of the merchandise is more than $10,000, a Class H felony if the value of the merchandise is more than $5,000 but not more than $10,000, a Class I felony if the value of the merchandise is more than $2,500 but not more than $5,000, and a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the merchandise is not more than $2,500. This bill changes the penalties so that retail theft is a Class I felony if the value of the merchandise is more than $1,500 but not more than $5,000. Retail theft of merchandise with a value that is not more than $1,500 remains a Class A misdemeanor unless the actor acts with another to commit the theft and the actor has the intent to sell the merchandise by means of the Internet, and then the theft is a Class I felony.
Felony retail theft, including the felonies this bill creates, is a racketeering activity; a person may be convicted of engaging in organized crime, which is a Class E felony, if the person participates as part of an enterprise in committing at least three incidents of racketeering activities that have similar intents, results, accomplices, victims, or methods of commission.
Read the full summary Show less
The bill also requires a person selling certain merchandise at a flea market or similar facility to have proof that the person owns the merchandise and to make the proof available to a law enforcement officer for inspection. The merchandise covered by the bill's requirements includes baby food, cosmetics, drugs, infant formula, and batteries. Under the bill, "proof of ownership" means all of the following: 1) the name, address, and telephone number of the supplier of the merchandise; 2) the name and address of the person that received the merchandise; and 3) a description of the merchandise. Violators are subject to a fine up to $500, up to 30 days' imprisonment, or both.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to result if the bill is enacted.
Who's behind it
2 representatives are its . 1 is a Democrat and 1 is a Republican.
4 more lawmakers .
See all 6 names Hide the names
Authors (2)
- Chris Danou · Democrat, Assembly
- Joel Kleefisch · Republican, Assembly
Signed on in support (4)
- André Jacque · Republican, Senate
- Lena Taylor · Democrat, Senate
- Van Wanggaard · Republican, Senate
- Evan Wynn · Republican, Assembly
Versions and amendments
Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.
How lawmakers voted
There were 5 votes on this bill.
Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections vote on an amendment
Passed, 6 to 3 · Sep 13, 2011
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections, Ayes 6, Noes 3”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections vote to recommend it
Passed, 6 to 3 · Sep 13, 2011
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage as amended recommended by committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections, Ayes 6, Noes 3”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote on an amendment
Passed, 61 to 33 · Feb 21, 2012
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Assembly amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 61, Noes 33”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 82 to 12 · Feb 21, 2012 · 5 didn't vote
See how each of the 99 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, I: Independent, R: Republican
Yes (82)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Bob Ziegelbauer (I, 25)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dan Meyer (R, 34)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Donna Seidel (D, 85)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Evan Wynn (R, 43)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jason Fields (D, 11)
- Jeff Fitzgerald (R, 39)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeffrey Stone (R, 82)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jerry Petrowski (R, 29)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Knilans (R, 44)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Karl Van Roy (R, 90)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Louis Molepske Jr. (D, 71)
- Margaret Krusick (D, 7)
- Mark Honadel (R, 21)
- Mark Radcliffe (D, 92)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michelle Litjens (R, 56)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul F. Farrow (R, 33)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Richard Spanbauer (R, 53)
- Robert Turner (D, 61)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Roger Rivard (R, 75)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Scott Suder (R, 69)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Tiffany (R, 12)
- Tony Staskunas (D, 15)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (12)
- Barbara Toles (D, 17)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Taylor (D, 76)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- Kelda Roys (D, 26)
- Mark Pocan (D, 78)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
Didn't vote (5)
- David Cullen (D, 13)
- Elizabeth Coggs (D, 10)
- John Steinbrink (D, 65)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Tamara Grigsby (D, 18)
Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 82, Noes 12”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate Committee on Judiciary vote to recommend it
Passed, 5 to 0 · Mar 2, 2012
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report concurrence recommended by committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Apr 5, 2012
The new law was published.
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Apr 3, 2012
The governor signed it. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 174.
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Mar 30, 2012
Sent to the governor.
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Mar 6, 2012
The Senate passed it too.
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Mar 2, 2012
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 0.
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Feb 28, 2012
The committee held a public hearing.
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Feb 22, 2012
Sent to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations.
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Feb 22, 2012
The Senate received it.
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Feb 21, 2012
The Assembly passed it, 82 to 12.
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Feb 21, 2012
The Assembly adopted it.
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Jan 25, 2012
1 more representative signed on in support.
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Sep 13, 2011
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.
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Sep 13, 2011
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 6 to 3.
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Aug 2, 2011
1 more representative signed on in support.
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Jul 28, 2011
The committee held a public hearing.
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Mar 21, 2011
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections.
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Mar 21, 2011
Introduced in the Assembly.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Mar 21, 2011 · Assembly
Introduced by Representatives Kleefisch and Danou;Cosponsored by Senators Wanggaard and Taylor
- Mar 21, 2011 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Jul 27, 2011 · Assembly
Assembly amendment 1 offered by Representative Kleefisch
- Jul 28, 2011 · Assembly
Public hearing held
- Aug 2, 2011 · Assembly
Representative Jacque added as a coauthor
- Sep 8, 2011 · Assembly
Executive action taken
- Sep 13, 2011 · Assembly
Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections, Ayes 6, Noes 3
- Sep 13, 2011 · Assembly
Report passage as amended recommended by committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections, Ayes 6, Noes 3
- Sep 13, 2011 · Assembly
Referred to committee on Rules
- Jan 25, 2012 · Assembly
Representative Wynn added as a coauthor
- Feb 16, 2012 · Assembly
Placed on calendar 2-21-2012 by committee on Rules
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Assembly amendment 1 adopted
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Assembly amendment 2 offered by Representatives Richards, Mason, Turner, Kessler, Danou, Hulsey, Bewley, Zepnick, Zamarripa, Toles and D. Cullen
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Assembly amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 61, Noes 33
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 82, Noes 12
- Feb 21, 2012 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Feb 22, 2012 · Senate
Received from Assembly
- Feb 22, 2012 · Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations
- Feb 28, 2012 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Mar 1, 2012 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Mar 2, 2012 · Senate
Report concurrence recommended by committee on Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce, and Government Operations, Ayes 5, Noes 0
- Mar 2, 2012 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Mar 5, 2012 · Senate
Placed on calendar 3-6-2012 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Mar 6, 2012 · Senate
Read a second time
- Mar 6, 2012 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Mar 6, 2012 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Mar 6, 2012 · Senate
Read a third time and concurred in
- Mar 6, 2012 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 6, 2012 · Assembly
Received from Senate concurred in
- Mar 29, 2012 · Assembly
Report correctly enrolled
- Mar 30, 2012 · Assembly
Presented to the Governor on 3-30-2012
- Apr 3, 2012 · Assembly
Report approved by the Governor on 4-2-2012. 2011 Wisconsin Act 174
- Apr 5, 2012 · Assembly
Published 4-16-2012
Terms on this page
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act. More in the glossary
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis. More in the glossary
Author
A lawmaker who formally puts a bill forward. The text itself is drafted by the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Official term: Author, coauthor. More in the glossary
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor. More in the glossary
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
From the Wisconsin Legislature's official record, checked Sep 15, 2026. See the source
Wisconsin Act
The number a bill gets when it becomes law, like 2025 Wisconsin Act 12.
Official term: Act
Legislative Reference Bureau
The Legislature's nonpartisan office that drafts bills and writes the summary at the top of each one.
Official term: LRB analysis
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote