Bills · 2015-2016 Regular Session
Relating to: reorganizing the Government Accountability Board, requiring the exercise of rule-making authority, and making appropriations. (FE)
Administration, department of — Agency and general functions County — Officers Elections commission Ethics commission Extraordinary session, 2015 — November Government accountability board Governor — Appointments Judge Legislature Legislature — Finance, joint committee on Legislature — Legislative organization, joint committee on Municipality — Officers Political parties Reorganization of state government Reports Respiratory care provider
- Introduced, completed
- Passes Assembly, completed
- Passes Senate, completed
- Governor signs, completed
- Law, completed
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes the following changes to the structure and operation of the
Government Accountability Board (GAB):
Board Governance
Currently, the GAB is under the direction and supervision of a board of six
members. All six members are former judges appointed by the governor from
nominations submitted by a committee comprised of one court of appeals judge from
each court of appeals district. Currently, board members are appointed with the
advice and consent of two-thirds of the members of the senate and serve six-year
terms. One term expires each May 1.
This bill eliminates the GAB and replaces it with an Elections Commission,
which administers and supervises elections, and an Ethics Commission, which
administers and supervises ethics, campaign financing, and lobbying regulation.
Under the bill, the Elections Commission consists of at least six persons, who
serve five-year terms:
1) One individual appointed by the majority leader in the senate;
2) One individual appointed by the minority leader in the senate;
3) One individual appointed by the speaker of the assembly.
4) One individual appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; and
5) Two former municipal or county clerks, selected by the leadership in both
houses and nominated by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate
confirmed.
In addition, the bill requires the appointment to the Elections Commission of
one member for each political party, other than the two major political parties,
qualifying for a separate ballot whose candidate for governor received at least 10
percent of the vote in the most recent gubernatorial election. The individual must
be nominated by the governor from a list of three individuals selected by the chief
officer of that political party.
The Ethics Commission consists of at least six persons who serve five-year
terms:
1) One individual appointed by the majority leader in the senate;
2) One individual appointed by the minority leader in the senate;
3) One individual appointed by the speaker of the assembly;
4) One individual appointed by the minority leader of the assembly; and
5) Two individuals selected by the leadership in both houses and nominated by
the governor with the advice and consent of the senate confirmed.
In addition, the bill requires the appointment to the Ethics Commission of one
member for each political party, other than the two major political parties, qualifying
for a separate ballot whose candidate for governor received at least 10 percent of the
vote in the most recent gubernatorial election. The individual must be nominated
by the governor from a list of three individuals selected by the chief officer of that
What it would cost
Fiscal estimates filed by state agencies, as official PDFs
Sponsors
Introduced by: A. Ott (R) , Allen (R) , August (R) , Ballweg (R) , Bernier (R) , Czaja (R) , Hutton (R) , J. Ott (R) , Jagler (R) , Katsma (R) , Kerkman (R) , Kleefisch (R) , Knodl (R) , Knudson (R) , Kooyenga (R) , Kremer (R) , Kuglitsch (R) , Loudenbeck (R) , Nygren (R) , R. Brooks (R) , Sanfelippo (R) , Skowronski (R) , T. Larson (R) , Vorpagel (R)
Votes
Assembly: Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Campaigns and Elections, Ayes 6, Noes 3
Passed 6–3 Oct 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Campaigns and Elections, Ayes 6, Noes 3
Passed 6–3 Oct 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 5 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
Passed 60–36 Oct 21, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
Passed 60–36 Oct 21, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 7 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
Passed 60–36 Oct 21, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 8 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
Passed 60–36 Oct 21, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Read a third time and passed, Ayes 58, Noes 39
Passed 58–39 Oct 21, 2015 official source full pageAye · 58
- Adam Jarchow (28)
- Adam Neylon (15)
- Alvin Ott (3)
- Amy Loudenbeck (31)
- André Jacque (1)
- Bob Gannon (58)
- Bob Kulp (69)
- Cindi Duchow (97)
- Cody Horlacher (33)
- Dan Knodl (24)
- Dave Murphy (56)
- David Craig (28)
- David Heaton (85)
- David Steffen (4)
- Dean Knudson (30)
- Edward Brooks (50)
- Gary Tauchen (6)
- James Edming (87)
- Janel Brandtjen (22)
- Jeff Mursau (36)
- Jeremy Thiesfeldt (52)
- Jesse Kremer (59)
- Jessie Rodriguez (21)
- Jim Ott (23)
- Jim Steineke (5)
- Joan Ballweg (14)
- Joe Sanfelippo (15)
- Joel Kitchens (1)
- Joel Kleefisch (38)
- John Jagler (13)
- John Macco (88)
- John Murtha (29)
- John Nygren (89)
- John Spiros (86)
- Kathleen Bernier (23)
- Ken Skowronski (82)
- Kevin Petersen (57)
- Lee Nerison (96)
- Mark Born (37)
- Mary Czaja (35)
- Michael Schraa (53)
- Mike Kuglitsch (84)
- Mike Rohrkaste (55)
- Nancy VanderMeer (70)
- Paul Tittl (25)
- Rob Brooks (59)
- Rob Hutton (5)
- Rob Swearingen (34)
- Robin Vos (33)
- Romaine Quinn (25)
- Samantha Kerkman (61)
- Scott Allen (82)
- Scott Krug (72)
- Terry Katsma (26)
- Thomas Larson (67)
- Thomas Weatherston (62)
- Tyler August (31)
- Tyler Vorpagel (27)
Nay · 39
- Amanda Stuck (57)
- Andy Jorgensen (43)
- Beth Meyers (74)
- Chris Danou (92)
- Chris Taylor (76)
- Christine Sinicki (20)
- Cory Mason (66)
- Dana Wachs (91)
- Daniel Riemer (7)
- Dave Considine (81)
- David Bowen (10)
- Debra Kolste (44)
- Dianne Hesselbein (27)
- Eric Genrich (90)
- Evan Goyke (18)
- Frederick Kessler (12)
- Gary Hebl (46)
- Gordon Hintz (54)
- Jill Billings (95)
- JoCasta Zamarripa (8)
- Jonathan Brostoff (19)
- Josh Zepnick (9)
- Katrina Shankland (71)
- LaTonya Johnson (6)
- Leon Young (16)
- Lisa Subeck (79)
- Mandela Barnes (11)
- Mark Spreitzer (15)
- Melissa Sargent (48)
- Nick Milroy (73)
- Peter Barca (64)
- Robb Kahl (47)
- Sondy Pope (80)
- Steve Doyle (94)
- Terese Berceau (77)
- Tod Ohnstad (65)
- Todd Novak (51)
- Travis Tranel (49)
- Warren Petryk (93)
Not voting · 2
- Dale Kooyenga (5)
- Keith Ripp (42)
Assembly: Refused to refer to joint committee on Finance, Ayes 36, Noes 60
Failed 36–60 Oct 21, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Referred to joint committee on Finance by committee on Senate Organization pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2
Passed 3–2 Nov 5, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2
Passed 3–2 Nov 5, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
Passed 3–2 Nov 5, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Senate Amendment 1 adopted, Ayes 18, Noes 14
Passed 18–14 Nov 6, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Senate Amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 14
Passed 18–14 Nov 6, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Senate Amendment 5 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 14
Passed 18–14 Nov 6, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Senate Amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 14
Passed 18–14 Nov 6, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Senate: Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 18, Noes 14
Passed 18–14 Nov 6, 2015 official source full pageAye · 18
- Alberta Darling (8)
- Chris Kapenga (33)
- Devin LeMahieu (9)
- Duey Stroebel (20)
- Frank G. Lasee (1)
- Howard Marklein (17)
- Jerry Petrowski (29)
- Leah Vukmir (5)
- Luther S. Olsen (14)
- Mary Lazich (28)
- Richard Gudex (18)
- Rob Cowles (2)
- Scott L. Fitzgerald (13)
- Sheila Harsdorf (10)
- Steve Nass (11)
- Terry Moulton (23)
- Thomas Tiffany (12)
- Van Wanggaard (21)
Nay · 14
- Bob Wirch (22)
- Chris Larson (7)
- Dave Hansen (30)
- Fred A. Risser (26)
- Janet Bewley (25)
- Janis Ringhand (15)
- Jennifer Shilling (32)
- Jon Erpenbach (27)
- Julie M. Lassa (24)
- Kathleen Vinehout (31)
- Lena Taylor (4)
- Mark Miller (16)
- Nikiya Harris Dodd (6)
- Tim Carpenter (3)
Not voting · 1
- Roger Roth (19)
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 1 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 36
Passed 59–36 Nov 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 2 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 61, Noes 34
Passed 61–34 Nov 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 3 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 61, Noes 34
Passed 61–34 Nov 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 4 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 35
Passed 60–35 Nov 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Assembly Amendment 5 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 36
Passed 59–36 Nov 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Senate Amendment 2 concurred in, Ayes 56, Noes 37
Passed 56–37 Nov 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Assembly: Refused to refer to committee on Campaigns and Elections, Ayes 33, Noes 62
Failed 33–62 Nov 16, 2015 official source full pageNo individual roll call was recorded for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Full history
- Oct 9, 2015 · Assembly
Introduced by Representatives Knudson, Bernier, Knodl, August, Ballweg, R. Brooks, Czaja, Hutton, Jagler, Katsma, Kerkman, Kleefisch, Kooyenga, Kremer, Kuglitsch, T. Larson, Loudenbeck, Nygren, A. Ott, J. Ott, Skowronski, Vorpagel, Sanfelippo and Allen; cosponsored by Senators Vukmir, LeMahieu, S. Fitzgerald, Nass, Wanggaard, Darling, Kapenga and Stroebel
- Oct 9, 2015 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to Committee on Campaigns and Elections
- Oct 13, 2015 · Assembly
Fiscal estimate received
- Oct 13, 2015 · Assembly
Representative Born added as a coauthor
- Oct 13, 2015 · Assembly
Public hearing held
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Substitute Amendment 3 offered by Representatives Berceau, Kessler and Zamarripa
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Executive action taken
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Representative Thiesfeldt added as a coauthor
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Vorpagel and Knudson
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representatives Zamarripa, Berceau and Kessler
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representatives Zamarripa, Berceau and Kessler
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Kessler, Berceau and Zamarripa
- Oct 15, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Substitute Amendment 2 offered by Representatives Kessler, Berceau and Zamarripa
- Oct 16, 2015 · Assembly
Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Campaigns and Elections, Ayes 6, Noes 3
- Oct 16, 2015 · Assembly
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Campaigns and Elections, Ayes 6, Noes 3
- Oct 16, 2015 · Assembly
Referred to committee on Rules
- Oct 19, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 4 offered by Representative Knudson
- Oct 20, 2015 · Assembly
Representative Gannon added as a coauthor
- Oct 20, 2015 · Assembly
Made a special order of business at 1:02 PM on 10-21-2015 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 16
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 1 adopted
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 4 adopted
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Refused to refer to joint committee on Finance, Ayes 36, Noes 60
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 5 offered by Representatives Zamarripa, Barca, Shankland, Jorgensen, Berceau and Kessler
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 5 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 6 offered by Representatives Zamarripa, Barca, Shankland, Jorgensen, Berceau and Kessler
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 7 offered by Representatives Barnes, Zamarripa, Brostoff, Spreitzer, Pope, Hebl, Shankland, Wachs, Doyle, Subeck, Mason, Sinicki, C. Taylor, Meyers and Kessler
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 7 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 8 offered by Representatives Zamarripa, Shankland, Jorgensen, Berceau, Kessler and Barca
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 8 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 36
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Read a third time and passed, Ayes 58, Noes 39
- Oct 21, 2015 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Oct 21, 2015 · Senate
Received from Assembly
- Oct 22, 2015 · Senate
Printed engrossed by the direction of the Senate Chief Clerk-3659
- Oct 28, 2015 · Senate
Read first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
- Oct 28, 2015 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Oct 28, 2015 · Senate
LRB correction (Assembly Amendment 1)
- Oct 28, 2015 · Senate
LRB correction
- Nov 5, 2015 · Senate
Referred to joint committee on Finance by committee on Senate Organization pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Nov 5, 2015 · Senate
Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Nov 5, 2015 · Senate
Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
- Nov 5, 2015 · Senate
Placed on calendar 11-6-2015 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Placed on the foot of the 12th order of business on the calendar of 11-6-2015
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senators Vukmir, LeMahieu and Nass
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senators Olsen, Harsdorf, Petrowski, Cowles and Marklein
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 3 offered by Senators Risser, Shilling, C. Larson, Ringhand, Bewley, Vinehout, Miller, Erpenbach, Hansen, Wirch and Harris Dodd
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 4 offered by Senators Vinehout, Ringhand, Bewley, C. Larson, Wirch, Hansen, Lassa, Shilling and Risser
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 5 offered by Senators Ringhand, Bewley, C. Larson, L. Taylor, Carpenter, Hansen, Wirch, Harris Dodd, Vinehout, Miller and Risser
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 6 offered by Senators Risser, Shilling, C. Larson, Ringhand, Bewley, Vinehout, Miller, Erpenbach, Hansen, Carpenter and Harris Dodd
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Read a second time
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 1 adopted, Ayes 18, Noes 14
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 2 adopted
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 3 laid on table
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 14
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 5 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 14
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Senate Amendment 6 laid on table, Ayes 18, Noes 14
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Rules suspended
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 18, Noes 14
- Nov 6, 2015 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Nov 9, 2015 · Assembly
Received from Senate amended and concurred in as amended (Senate amendments 1 and 2 adopted)
- Nov 12, 2015 · Assembly
Referred to calendar of 11-16-2015 pursuant to Assembly Rule 93
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 1 to Senate Amendment 1 offered by Representative Barca
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 1 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 36
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Refused to refer to committee on Campaigns and Elections, Ayes 33, Noes 62
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 2 to Senate Amendment 1 offered by Representative Hebl
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 2 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 61, Noes 34
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 3 to Senate Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Barca, Shankland, Jorgensen and Zamarripa
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 3 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 61, Noes 34
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 4 to Senate Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Barnes, Barca, Shankland, Jorgensen and Zamarripa
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 4 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 60, Noes 35
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 5 to Senate Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Spreitzer, Barca, Shankland, Jorgensen and Zamarripa
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Assembly Amendment 5 to Senate Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 59, Noes 36
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Senate Amendment 1 concurred in, Ayes 58, Noes 37, Paired 2
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Senate Amendment 2 concurred in, Ayes 56, Noes 37
- Nov 16, 2015 · Assembly
Action ordered immediately messaged
- Dec 2, 2015 · Assembly
LRB correction
- Dec 2, 2015 · Assembly
Report correctly enrolled on 12-2-2015
- Dec 14, 2015 · Assembly
Presented to the Governor on 12-14-2015
- Dec 16, 2015 · Assembly
Report approved by the Governor with partial veto on 12-16-2015. 2015 Wisconsin Act 118
- Dec 16, 2015 · Assembly
Published 12-17-2015
- May 17, 2016 · Assembly
Partial veto placed on calendar 5-17-2016 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)
- May 17, 2016 · Assembly
Partial veto failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82