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Bills from the 2011–12 session

Assembly Bill 69

The privilege of self-defense

Topics: Business, Court, Crime and criminals, Damage (personal injury), Death, Fire department, Medical service, Motor vehicle, Police

Became law

The governor signed it on Dec 7, 2011. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Mar 30, 2011

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Nov 1, 2011

  4. Senate vote, passed

    Passed Nov 3, 2011

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2011 Wisconsin Act 94

Latest entry in the official record, Dec 12, 2011: “Published 12-20-2011”

Read the bill

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What it does

Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

In general, a person who uses force in self-defense or in the defense of another person may not be convicted of a crime stemming from that use of force. This law applies only when: 1) the amount of force used is reasonable; and 2) the person uses that force to prevent or stop what he or she reasonably believes is an unlawful interference with himself or herself or another person, such as the crime of battery.

Current law specifies that a person may use force that is intended or likely to cause the death of or great bodily harm to another individual only if the person reasonably believes that using such force is necessary to prevent the imminent death of or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another person.

Read the full summary

Under this bill, if a person used defensive force that was intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm, the court must presume that the person reasonably believed that the force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another person if: 1) the individual against whom the force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcibly entering, or had already unlawfully and forcefully entered, the residence of the person who used the force; 2) the person was present in that residence; and 3) the person knew or reasonably believed that an unlawful and forcible entry was occurring or had occurred. This presumption, however, does not apply if: 1) the person who used the force was engaged in a criminal activity or was using his or her residence to further a criminal activity; or 2) the individual against whom the force was used had identified himself or herself as a peace officer (or was or should have been known to be a peace officer) and was entering the residence in the performance of his or her official duties.

Under the bill, a person who uses force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm is immune from civil liability if the person reasonably believed that the force was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another person and if: 1) the individual against whom the force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcibly entering, or had already forcibly entered, the residence of the person who used the force; 2) the person who used the force was present in the residence; and 3) the person who used the force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry was occurring or had occurred.

Under the bill for purposes of civil immunity, a person is not presumed to have reasonably believed that the force was necessary if: 1) the person who used the force was engaged in a criminal activity or was using his or her residence to further a criminal activity; or 2) the individual against whom the force was used had identified himself or herself as a peace officer (or was or should have been known to be a peace officer) and was entering the residence in the performance of his or her official duties.

Under the bill, if a court finds that person who is sued in civil court is immune from liability, the person is entitled to attorney fees, court costs, compensation for income loss, and other expenses the person incurred to defend himself or herself against the civil action.

Who's behind it

27 lawmakers are its ⁠. 25 are Republicans, 1 is a Democrat and 1 is a Independent.

21 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 48 names

Authors (27)

Signed on in support (21)

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 9 votes on this bill.

Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics vote on an amendment

Passed, 8 to 0 · Oct 12, 2011

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report Assembly Amendment 2 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 adoption recommended by committee on Judiciary and Ethics, Ayes 8, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics vote on an amendment

Passed, 6 to 2 · Oct 12, 2011

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Report Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 adoption recommended by committee on Judiciary and Ethics, Ayes 6, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 66 to 30 · Nov 1, 2011

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 4 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 66, Noes 30”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 67 to 29 · Nov 1, 2011

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Assembly amendment 5 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 67, Noes 29”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 71 to 24 · Nov 1, 2011 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 96 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (71)

Didn't vote (1)

Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 71, Noes 24, Paired 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 18 to 15 · Nov 3, 2011

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Vote by which Senate amendment 1 was adopted reconsidered, Ayes 18, Noes 15”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 19 to 14 · Nov 3, 2011

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Senate amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 14”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 3 to 2 · Nov 3, 2011

No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.

Official motion: “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 26 to 7 · Nov 3, 2011

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 26, Noes 7”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Dec 12, 2011

    The new law was published.

  2. Dec 7, 2011

    The governor signed it. It became 2011 Wisconsin Act 94.

  3. Dec 5, 2011

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Nov 3, 2011

    “Action ordered immediately messaged” (the official wording)

  5. Nov 3, 2011

    The Assembly adopted it.

  6. Nov 3, 2011

    The Senate passed it too, 26 to 7.

  7. Nov 3, 2011

    2 more senators signed on in support.

  8. Nov 3, 2011

    The Senate adopted it.

  9. Nov 3, 2011

    “Placed at the foot of the calendar of 11-3-2011” (the official wording)

  10. Nov 3, 2011

    The Senate adopted it, 18 to 15.

  11. Nov 3, 2011

    The Senate adopted it.

  12. Nov 3, 2011

    “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2” (the official wording)

  13. Nov 2, 2011

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Senate Organization.

  14. Nov 2, 2011

    The Senate received it.

  15. Nov 1, 2011

    The Assembly passed it, 71 to 24.

  16. Nov 1, 2011

    2 more representatives signed on in support.

  17. Nov 1, 2011

    The Assembly adopted it.

  18. Oct 12, 2011

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  19. Oct 12, 2011

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 6 to 2.

  20. Jul 25, 2011 to Aug 17, 2011

    1 more representative and 1 senator signed on in support.

  21. May 26, 2011

    The committee held a public hearing.

  22. Apr 25, 2011 to Apr 28, 2011

    2 more representatives signed on in support.

  23. Mar 30, 2011

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics.

  24. Mar 30, 2011

    Introduced in the Assembly.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Mar 30, 2011 · Assembly

    Introduced by Representatives Kaufert, Mursau, Jacque, LeMahieu, Ziegelbauer, Nass, Kerkman, Williams, Spanbauer, Petryk, Knodl, Petrowski, Kestell, Steineke, August, Litjens, A. Ott, Danou, Tauchen, Krug, Strachota, Ripp, Honadel, Farrow, Thiesfeldt, Van Roy and Ballweg;Cosponsored by Senators Wanggaard, Leibham, Holperin, Lazich, Cowles, Olsen, Vukmir, Grothman, Hansen, Galloway, Darling, Harsdorf, Hopper, Taylor, Moulton and Lasee

  2. Mar 30, 2011 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to committee on Judiciary and Ethics

  3. Apr 25, 2011 · Assembly

    Representative Van Roy added as a coauthor

  4. Apr 28, 2011 · Assembly

    Representative Ballweg added as a coauthor

  5. May 26, 2011 · Assembly

    Public hearing held

  6. Jun 3, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 1 offered by Representative Kaufert

  7. Jun 3, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 2 offered by Representative Kaufert

  8. Jun 7, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly substitute amendment 1 offered by Representative Kaufert

  9. Jun 8, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly substitute amendment 2 offered by Representative Kaufert

  10. Jul 25, 2011 · Assembly

    Senator Lasee added as a cosponsor

  11. Aug 2, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 1 to Assembly substitute amendment 2 offered by Representative Craig

  12. Aug 15, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 1 to Assembly substitute amendment 1 offered by Representative Hebl

  13. Aug 15, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 2 to Assembly substitute amendment 2 offered by Representative Hebl

  14. Aug 16, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly substitute amendment 3 offered by Representative Kaufert

  15. Aug 17, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 1 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 offered by Representatives Hebl and Staskunas

  16. Aug 17, 2011 · Assembly

    Representative Craig added as a coauthor

  17. Sep 26, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 2 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 offered by Representative Kaufert

  18. Sep 29, 2011 · Assembly

    Executive action taken

  19. Oct 12, 2011 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Amendment 2 to Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 adoption recommended by committee on Judiciary and Ethics, Ayes 8, Noes 0

  20. Oct 12, 2011 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 adoption recommended by committee on Judiciary and Ethics, Ayes 6, Noes 2

  21. Oct 12, 2011 · Assembly

    Report passage as amended recommended by committee on Judiciary and Ethics, Ayes 6, Noes 2

  22. Oct 12, 2011 · Assembly

    Referred to committee on Rules

  23. Oct 25, 2011 · Assembly

    Made a special order of business at 11:01 A.M. on 11-1-2011

  24. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  25. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 2 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 adopted

  26. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 3 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 offered by Representatives Suder and August

  27. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 3 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 adopted

  28. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 4 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 offered by Representatives Young and E. Coggs

  29. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 4 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 66, Noes 30

  30. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 5 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 offered by Representatives C. Taylor, Pope-Roberts, Kessler, Pasch, Roys, Seidel, Clark, Ringhand, Zamarripa, Bewley and E. Coggs

  31. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly amendment 5 to Assembly substitute amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 67, Noes 29

  32. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Assembly substitute amendment 3 adopted

  33. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Representatives Murtha and Wynn added as coauthors

  34. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  35. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  36. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 71, Noes 24, Paired 2

  37. Nov 1, 2011 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  38. Nov 2, 2011 · Senate

    Received from Assembly

  39. Nov 2, 2011 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization

  40. Nov 2, 2011 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  41. Nov 2, 2011 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 11-3-2011 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  42. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2

  43. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Read a second time

  44. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Senate amendment 1 offered by Senators Erpenbach, Hansen, Taylor, Miller, Risser, Carpenter, T. Cullen, King, C. Larson, Holperin and S. Coggs

  45. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Senate amendment 1 adopted

  46. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Vote by which Senate amendment 1 was adopted reconsidered, Ayes 18, Noes 15

  47. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Placed at the foot of the calendar of 11-3-2011

  48. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Senate amendment 2 offered by Senator Risser

  49. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Senate amendment 1 adopted

  50. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Senate amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 19, Noes 14

  51. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  52. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  53. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Senator Kedzie added as a cosponsor

  54. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Senator Vinehout added as a cosponsor

  55. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 26, Noes 7

  56. Nov 3, 2011 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  57. Nov 3, 2011 · Assembly

    Received from Senate amended and concurred in as amended (Senate amendment 1 adopted)

  58. Nov 3, 2011 · Assembly

    Senate amendment 1 concurred in

  59. Nov 3, 2011 · Assembly

    Action ordered immediately messaged

  60. Nov 10, 2011 · Assembly

    Report correctly enrolled

  61. Dec 5, 2011 · Assembly

    Presented to the Governor on 12-5-2011

  62. Dec 7, 2011 · Assembly

    Report approved by the Governor on 12-7-2011. 2011 Wisconsin Act 94

  63. Dec 12, 2011 · Assembly

    Published 12-20-2011

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

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