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Bills · 2011-2012 Regular Session

SB 176

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

legislative vacancies.

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Senate, not reached
  3. Passes Assembly, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. Law, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

Currently, under the Wisconsin Constitution, when there is a vacancy in the

membership of the senate or assembly, the governor is directed to call a special

election to fill the vacancy. There is no deadline for issuing the order, but the directive

is enforceable through the court system. Under the statutes, with a limited exception

relating to legislative session scheduling, if the vacancy occurs before the second

Tuesday in May in the year in which the office is regularly filled, the vacancy must

be filled "as promptly as possible."

This bill changes the statutes to specify that the special election must be

ordered within 60 days after the vacancy occurs, subject to the current exception.

Sponsors

Introduced by: C. Larson (D) , Hansen (D) , S. Coggs (D) , Shilling (D) , Taylor (D)

15 cosponsors

Berceau (D) , Bernard Schaber (D) , Bewley (D) , C. Taylor (D) , E. Coggs (D) , Fields (D) , Grigsby (D) , Hebl (D) , Hintz (D) , Mason (D) , Pocan (D) , Pope-Roberts (D) , Ringhand (D) , Toles (D) , Turner (D)

Full history

  1. Sep 7, 2011 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Shilling, S. Coggs, Hansen, C. Larson and Taylor;Cosponsored by Representatives Pocan, C. Taylor, Berceau, Bernard Schaber, Bewley, E. Coggs, Fields, Grigsby, Hebl, Hintz, Mason, Pope-Roberts, Ringhand, Toles and Turner

  2. Sep 7, 2011 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to committee on Transportation and Elections

  3. Mar 23, 2012 · Senate

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1