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Bills from the 2015–16 session

Senate Bill 546

Administrative subpoena for investigating Internet crimes against children, creating an Internet crimes against children surcharge, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Apr 19, 2016. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Jan 8, 2016

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Senate vote, passed

    Passed Feb 16, 2016

  4. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Feb 18, 2016

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2015 Wisconsin Act 369

Latest entry in the official record, Apr 19, 2016: “Published 4-20-2016”

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.

This bill creates an Internet crimes against children surcharge. Under the bill, if a court imposes a sentence on a person or places a person on probation for committing a crime, the court imposes a surcharge of $20 for each misdemeanor conviction and $40 for each felony conviction. Under the bill, the Department of Justice uses the moneys received from the surcharge to fund the activities of task forces on Internet crimes against children, and to fund criminal investigations, law enforcement, and prosecutions relating to Internet crimes against children.

The bill also authorizes the attorney general or his or her designee to issue an administrative subpoena to a provider of an electronic communication service or remote computing service that would compel the provider to produce documents or records helpful to an investigation of an Internet crime against a child. The bill allows the person issued the subpoena to motion a circuit court to limit or quash the subpoena and allows the attorney general or his or her designee to request that the subpoena be kept confidential until after all requested documents and records are produced.

Who's behind it

7 senators are its ⁠. 6 are Republicans and 1 is a Democrat.

29 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 36 names

Authors (7)

Signed on in support (29)

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 10 votes on this bill.

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 1, 2016

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

Official motion: “Report introduction of Senate Amendment 3 by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety vote on an amendment

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 1, 2016

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 Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety vote on an amendment

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 1, 2016

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 2 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety vote to recommend it

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 1, 2016

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 Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Joint Committee on Finance vote on an amendment

Passed, 15 to 0 · Feb 11, 2016

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 Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Joint Committee on Finance vote on an amendment

Passed, 15 to 0 · Feb 11, 2016

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 2 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Joint Committee on Finance vote to recommend it

Passed, 14 to 0 · Feb 11, 2016

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 Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 14, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 32 to 0 · Feb 16, 2016 · 1 didn't vote

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Didn't vote (1)

Official motion: “Read a third time and passed, Ayes 32, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 87 to 7 · Feb 18, 2016 · 3 didn't vote

See how each of the 97 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (87)

Didn't vote (3)

Official motion: “Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 87, Noes 7, Paired 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 74 to 20 · Feb 18, 2016

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 74, Noes 20”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Apr 19, 2016

    The new law was published.

  2. Apr 19, 2016

    The governor signed it. It became 2015 Wisconsin Act 369.

  3. Apr 18, 2016

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Mar 15, 2016

    “Action ordered immediately messaged” (the official wording)

  5. Feb 19, 2016 to Feb 24, 2016

    4 more representatives signed on in support.

  6. Feb 19, 2016

    The Senate adopted it.

  7. Feb 18, 2016

    The Assembly passed it too, 87 to 7.

  8. Feb 18, 2016

    The Assembly adopted it.

  9. Feb 18, 2016

    7 more representatives signed on in support.

  10. Feb 16, 2016

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  11. Feb 16, 2016

    The Assembly received it.

  12. Feb 16, 2016

    1 more senator signed on in support.

  13. Feb 16, 2016

    The Senate passed it, 32 to 0.

  14. Feb 16, 2016

    The Senate adopted it.

  15. Feb 11, 2016

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 14 to 0.

  16. Feb 11, 2016

    “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  17. Feb 11, 2016

    “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  18. Feb 2, 2016

    Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.

  19. Feb 1, 2016

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 0.

  20. Feb 1, 2016

    “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  21. Feb 1, 2016

    “Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  22. Feb 1, 2016

    “Report introduction of Senate Amendment 3 by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  23. Jan 15, 2016

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  24. Jan 13, 2016

    The committee held a public hearing.

  25. Jan 8, 2016

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

  26. Jan 8, 2016

    Introduced in the Senate.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Jan 8, 2016 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Wanggaard, Cowles, Gudex, Lassa, Marklein, Moulton and Olsen; cosponsored by Representatives Kleefisch, Ballweg, E. Brooks, Duchow, Heaton, Horlacher, Jorgensen, Kahl, Kremer, Kulp, T. Larson, Macco, Murphy, Novak, A. Ott, Quinn, Ripp, Rodriguez, Rohrkaste, Sanfelippo, Spiros, Tittl and Zamarripa

  2. Jan 8, 2016 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

  3. Jan 13, 2016 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  4. Jan 14, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Wanggaard

  5. Jan 15, 2016 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  6. Jan 28, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 offered by Senators Lasee and Wanggaard

  7. Feb 1, 2016 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  8. Feb 1, 2016 · Senate

    Report introduction of Senate Amendment 3 by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  9. Feb 1, 2016 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  10. Feb 1, 2016 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  11. Feb 1, 2016 · Senate

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, Ayes 5, Noes 0

  12. Feb 1, 2016 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  13. Feb 2, 2016 · Senate

    Withdrawn from committee on Senate Organization and rereferred to joint committee on Finance pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)

  14. Feb 10, 2016 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  15. Feb 11, 2016 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0

  16. Feb 11, 2016 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Amendment 2 recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 15, Noes 0

  17. Feb 11, 2016 · Senate

    Report passage as amended recommended by Joint Committee on Finance, Ayes 14, Noes 0

  18. Feb 11, 2016 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  19. Feb 15, 2016 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 2-16-2016 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  20. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Read a second time

  21. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 adopted

  22. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 adopted

  23. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  24. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  25. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 32, Noes 0

  26. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Senator Carpenter added as a coauthor

  27. Feb 16, 2016 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  28. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  29. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  30. Feb 16, 2016 · Assembly

    Made a special order of business at 2:37 PM on 2-18-2016 pursuant to Assembly Resolution 29

  31. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Representatives Barca, Shankland, Wachs, Zepnick, Sargent, Ohnstad and Hesselbein added as cosponsors

  32. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  33. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representative Kessler

  34. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 74, Noes 20

  35. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representatives Jarchow and Goyke

  36. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

  37. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  38. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  39. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 87, Noes 7, Paired 2

  40. Feb 18, 2016 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  41. Feb 19, 2016 · Senate

    Received from Assembly amended and concurred in as amended, Assembly Amendment 2 adopted

  42. Feb 19, 2016 · Senate

    Representative Stuck added as a cosponsor

  43. Feb 19, 2016 · Senate

    Representative Spreitzer added as a cosponsor

  44. Feb 24, 2016 · Senate

    Representative Hintz added as a cosponsor

  45. Feb 24, 2016 · Senate

    Representative Subeck added as a cosponsor

  46. Mar 14, 2016 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 3-15-2016 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  47. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Assembly Amendment 2 concurred in

  48. Mar 15, 2016 · Senate

    Action ordered immediately messaged

  49. Mar 29, 2016 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled

  50. Mar 29, 2016 · Senate

    LRB correction (Senate Amendment 1)

  51. Mar 29, 2016 · Senate

    LRB correction (Senate Amendment 2)

  52. Apr 18, 2016 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 4-18-2016

  53. Apr 19, 2016 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 4-19-2016. 2015 Wisconsin Act 369

  54. Apr 19, 2016 · Senate

    Published 4-20-2016

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

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