SB 639

This bill creates a legislative committee on the oversight of law enforcement

and investigation to study issues related to law enforcement technology and

investigation of crimes and to report its findings and recommendations to the

legislature. The bill lays out the duties and authority of the committee as follows:

1. The committee may review, for appropriate execution of legislative intent

and proper conduct, an acquisition by a law enforcement agency of technology

services or electronic devices that may be used to surveil a person. If the acquisition

is of such services or devices that are not currently used by a Wisconsin law

enforcement agency, the law enforcement agency must notify the committee of the

proposed acquisition before executing it.

2. The committee may review a proposed transfer of military weapons,

surveillance equipment, or armaments from a federal military unit to a Wisconsin

law enforcement agency. A law enforcement agency that is to receive such weapons,

equipment, or armaments must notify the committee of the proposed transfer before

the transfer takes place.

This bill also provides the committee with subpoena power and access to

investigatory records from secret John Doe proceedings at the close of such

proceedings if such access is necessary or convenient to carry out the duties and

powers of the committee.