SB 385

This bill makes several changes to the laws governing the operation of the

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), including the following:

Under current law, any power or duty assigned by law to WEDC is to be

exercised by the board of WEDC (board), unless the board delegates the power or

duty to a WEDC employee. The bill further authorizes the board to delegate any

power or duty to a committee created by the board.

Also under current law, the governor appoints the chief executive officer of

WEDC with the advice and consent of the senate, and the chief executive officer

serves at the pleasure of the governor. Under the bill, the board, not the governor,

is required to hire the chief executive officer of WEDC. The bill also requires the

board to hire a chief operating officer and a chief financial officer for WEDC. Under

the bill, the chief executive officer, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer

all serve at the pleasure of the board. The bill requires the governor to treat the chief

executive officer of WEDC as if he or she were the secretary of a department in the

executive branch of state government appointed by the governor.