Senate Bill 617
Ordinances, variances, and rules relating to the constructing or altering of, or adding to, public buildings and buildings that are places of employment, the creation of a building code council, and inspections of public buildings and buildings that are places of employment, and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
Became law
The governor signed it on Apr 17, 2014. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Feb 18, 2014
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Mar 18, 2014
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed 82 to 13
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2013 Wisconsin Act 270
Latest entry in the official record, Apr 17, 2014: “Published 4-17-2014”
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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
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. 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.
With certain exceptions, current law requires the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to establish reasonable standards or rules for the construction of public buildings and buildings that are places of employment (public buildings). Pursuant to this requirement, DSPS has promulgated rules establishing these construction standards. Also, the rules promulgated by DSPS require that DSPS review the construction plans for public buildings. In addition to reviewing new construction projects, the rules require that DSPS review, with limited exceptions, building projects that involve alterations of, and additions to, existing public buildings.
This bill prohibits a city, village, or town from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that establishes minimum standards for the construction or alteration of, or an addition to, a public building unless that ordinance strictly conforms to the rules promulgated by DSPS. The bill creates an exception to this prohibition for ordinances establishing property maintenance codes and for certain ordinances relating to fire detection, prevention, or suppression (fire safety) for public buildings that are not multifamily dwellings and that were enacted before May 1, 2013.
Read the full summary Show less
Under current law, DSPS must accept the examinations of essential drawings and specifications (plan examinations) for public buildings that have been performed by first class cities or by second class cities that meet certain requirements relating to the competency of the persons performing the plan examinations. A first class city is one with a population of at least 150,000. A second class city is one with a population of at least 39,000 but less than 150,000. Also under current law, DSPS must accept reviews and determinations by first class cities regarding variances for public buildings if the reviews and determinations are performed in a manner approved by DSPS. This bill requires that DSPS accept variance reviews and determinations by second class cities that are certified by DSPS to perform plan examinations.
The bill authorizes DSPS to grant a variance from a standard contained in a rule for a specific project for the construction or alteration of, or an addition to, a public building if DSPS finds that the requested variance will impose an equivalent standard that meets the intent of the rule.
This bill creates a building code council (council) in DSPS to advise the DSPS about issues related to the construction, repair, and maintenance of public buildings.
The council consists of ten members, appointed by the governor for three-year terms.
The membership includes local building inspectors, building contractors, architects, and persons representing the skilled building trades and the fire fighting profession.
The bill specifies that inspections of construction, alteration and addition projects for public buildings, other than inspections of the installation of fire safety devices, must be performed by inspectors who are certified under rules promulgated by DSPS. The bill requires DSPS to promulgate separate rules establishing requirements for inspections of fire safety devices that are being installed as part of these projects.
Who's behind it
8 senators are its . All 8 are Republicans.
13 more lawmakers .
See all 21 names Hide the names
Authors (8)
- Rob Cowles · Republican, Senate
- Glenn Grothman · Republican, Senate
- Richard Gudex · Republican, Senate
- Sheila Harsdorf · Republican, Senate
- Joe Leibham · Republican, Senate
- Terry Moulton · Republican, Senate
- Jerry Petrowski · Republican, Senate
- Dale Schultz · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (13)
- Alvin Ott · Republican, Assembly
- Garey Bies · Republican, Assembly
- Edward Brooks · Republican, Assembly
- Gordon Hintz · Democrat, Assembly
- Robb Kahl · Democrat, Assembly
- Dan Knodl · Republican, Assembly
- Dean Knudson · Republican, Assembly
- Bob Kulp · Republican, Assembly
- Daniel LeMahieu · Republican, Assembly
- Amy Loudenbeck · Republican, Assembly
- Howard Marklein · Republican, Senate
- Michael Schraa · Republican, Assembly
- Thomas Weatherston · Republican, Assembly
What it would cost
State agencies filed a . Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.
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 4 votes on this bill.
Senate Committee on Government Operations vote on an amendment
Passed, 7 to 0 · Mar 12, 2014
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications, Ayes 7, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Senate Committee on Government Operations vote to recommend it
Passed, 7 to 0 · Mar 12, 2014
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 Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications, Ayes 7, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote to pass it
Passed, 82 to 13 · Mar 18, 2014 · 4 didn't vote
See how each of the 99 representatives voted Hide the names
D: Democrat, R: Republican
Yes (82)
- Adam Neylon (R, 15)
- Alvin Ott (R, 3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (R, 31)
- Amy Sue Vruwink (D, 70)
- André Jacque (R, 1)
- Andy Jorgensen (D, 43)
- Bob Kulp (R, 69)
- Chad Weininger (R, 4)
- Chris Danou (D, 92)
- Chris Kapenga (R, 33)
- Cory Mason (D, 66)
- Dale Kooyenga (R, 5)
- Dan Knodl (R, 24)
- Dana Wachs (D, 91)
- Daniel LeMahieu (R, 59)
- Dave Murphy (R, 56)
- David Craig (R, 28)
- Dean Kaufert (R, 53)
- Dean Knudson (R, 30)
- Debra Kolste (D, 44)
- Don Pridemore (R, 22)
- Duey Stroebel (R, 20)
- Edward Brooks (R, 50)
- Eric Genrich (D, 90)
- Erik Severson (R, 28)
- Fred Clark (D, 81)
- Garey Bies (R, 1)
- Gary Tauchen (R, 6)
- Gordon Hintz (D, 54)
- Howard Marklein (R, 17)
- Janet Bewley (D, 25)
- Janis Ringhand (D, 15)
- Jeff Mursau (R, 36)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R, 52)
- Jessie Rodriguez (R, 21)
- Jill Billings (D, 95)
- Jim Ott (R, 23)
- Jim Steineke (R, 5)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (D, 8)
- Joan Ballweg (R, 14)
- Joe Sanfelippo (R, 15)
- Joel Kleefisch (R, 38)
- John Jagler (R, 13)
- John Murtha (R, 29)
- John Nygren (R, 89)
- John Spiros (R, 86)
- Jon Richards (D, 19)
- Josh Zepnick (D, 9)
- Kathleen Bernier (R, 23)
- Katrina Shankland (D, 71)
- Keith Ripp (R, 42)
- Ken Skowronski (R, 82)
- Kevin Petersen (R, 57)
- Lee Nerison (R, 96)
- Mandy Wright (D, 85)
- Mark Born (R, 37)
- Mary Williams (R, 87)
- Michael Schraa (R, 53)
- Mike Endsley (R, 26)
- Mike Kuglitsch (R, 84)
- Nick Milroy (D, 73)
- Pat Strachota (R, 58)
- Paul Tittl (R, 25)
- Penny Bernard Schaber (D, 57)
- Peter Barca (D, 64)
- Rob Hutton (R, 5)
- Rob Swearingen (R, 34)
- Robb Kahl (D, 47)
- Robin Vos (R, 33)
- Samantha Kerkman (R, 61)
- Sandy Pasch (D, 10)
- Scott Krug (R, 72)
- Stephen Smith (D, 75)
- Steve Doyle (D, 94)
- Steve Kestell (R, 27)
- Steve Nass (R, 11)
- Thomas Larson (R, 67)
- Thomas Weatherston (R, 62)
- Tod Ohnstad (D, 65)
- Travis Tranel (R, 49)
- Tyler August (R, 31)
- Warren Petryk (R, 93)
No (13)
- Brett Hulsey (D, 78)
- Chris Taylor (D, 76)
- Christine Sinicki (D, 20)
- Dianne Hesselbein (D, 27)
- Evan Goyke (D, 18)
- Frederick Kessler (D, 12)
- Gary Hebl (D, 46)
- LaTonya Johnson (D, 6)
- Leon Young (D, 16)
- Mandela Barnes (D, 11)
- Melissa Sargent (D, 48)
- Sondy Pope (D, 80)
- Terese Berceau (D, 77)
Didn't vote (4)
- Bill Kramer (R, 97)
- Daniel Riemer (D, 7)
- John Klenke (R, 88)
- Mary Czaja (R, 35)
Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 82, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page
Assembly vote on an amendment
Passed, 57 to 38 · Mar 18, 2014
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 38”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Apr 17, 2014
The new law was published.
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Apr 17, 2014
The governor signed it. It became 2013 Wisconsin Act 270.
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Apr 16, 2014
Sent to the governor.
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Mar 18, 2014
The Assembly passed it too, 82 to 13.
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Mar 18, 2014
“Read” (the official wording)
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Mar 18, 2014
The Assembly received it.
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Mar 18, 2014
The Senate passed it.
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Mar 18, 2014
The Senate adopted it.
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Mar 12, 2014
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 7 to 0.
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Mar 12, 2014
“Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications, Ayes 7, Noes 0” (the official wording)
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Mar 5, 2014
The committee held a public hearing.
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Mar 3, 2014
A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.
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Feb 18, 2014
Sent to the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications.
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Feb 18, 2014
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Moulton, Petrowski, Gudex, Cowles, Leibham, Schultz, Harsdorf and Grothman; cosponsored by Representatives Knudson, Brooks, Schraa, Weatherston, LeMahieu, A. Ott, Kulp, Bies, Hintz, Loudenbeck, Kahl, Marklein and Knodl
- Feb 18, 2014 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications
- Mar 3, 2014 · Senate
Fiscal estimate received
- Mar 5, 2014 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Mar 6, 2014 · Senate
- Mar 10, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senator Harris
- Mar 10, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 3 offered by Senator Harris
- Mar 10, 2014 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Mar 12, 2014 · Senate
Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications, Ayes 7, Noes 0
- Mar 12, 2014 · Senate
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Public Works, and Telecommunications, Ayes 7, Noes 0
- Mar 12, 2014 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Mar 14, 2014 · Senate
Placed on calendar 3-18-2014 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 4 offered by Senator Erpenbach
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 4 withdrawn and returned to author
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 5 offered by Senators Harris and Carpenter
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Read a second time
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 1 adopted
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Senate Amendment 5 laid on table
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Read a third time and passed
- Mar 18, 2014 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Read
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Rules suspended and taken up
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Sinicki, Hulsey, C. Taylor and Young
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 57, Noes 38
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 82, Noes 13
- Mar 18, 2014 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Mar 19, 2014 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Mar 25, 2014 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled
- Apr 16, 2014 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 4-15-2014
- Apr 17, 2014 · Senate
Report approved by the Governor on 4-16-2014. 2013 Wisconsin Act 270
- Apr 17, 2014 · Senate
Published 4-17-2014
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
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate. 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
Cost estimate
A state agency's estimate of what a bill would cost or save.
Official term: Fiscal estimate
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote