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Bills from the 2017–18 session

Assembly Bill 539

Plans for supervised release of sexually violent persons, representation of sexually violent persons by the state public defender, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Mar 28, 2018. It's ⁠. Before signing, the governor struck some parts using Wisconsin's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Oct 16, 2017

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed Jan 16, 2018

  4. Senate vote, passed

    Passed Feb 20, 2018

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2017 Wisconsin Act 184

Latest entry in the official record, May 8, 2018: “Partial veto failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82”

How the partial veto works

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.

Under current law, a person who has been found to be a sexually violent person may be involuntarily committed to the Department of Health Services for control, care, and treatment. If a person is committed and placed in institutional care, the person may periodically petition the court for supervised release. If a court determines that supervised release is appropriate, the court must select a county to prepare a report that includes prospective residential options for the person. Unless good cause exists, the court must select the person's county of residence, and the county must prepare the report within 60 days. DHS must then prepare for the court a supervised release plan for the person that identifies the residential option for the court to approve. Under current law, the plan must be submitted to the court within 90 days of the finding that supervised release is appropriate.

Under this bill, if a court determines that supervised release is appropriate, the court must order the person's county of residence to prepare a report that identifies one appropriate residence for the person. The county must create a temporary committee to prepare the report for the county and, under this bill, the county must prepare the report within 120 days of the order. A county that does not comply violates the person's rights as a patient and the county is subject to enforcement and damages for each violation, and each day beyond the 120 days constitutes a separate violation. Once DHS receives the report, DHS must submit to the court a supervised release plan within 30 days.

Who's behind it

10 representatives are its ⁠. All 10 are Republicans.

12 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 22 names

Authors (10)

Signed on in support (12)

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 7 votes on this bill.

Assembly Committee on Corrections vote on an amendment

Passed, 10 to 0 · Jan 10, 2018

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

Official motion: “Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Corrections, Ayes 10, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly Committee on Corrections vote to recommend it

Passed, 10 to 0 · Jan 10, 2018

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 Corrections, Ayes 10, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 89 to 5 · Jan 16, 2018 · 2 didn't vote

See how each of the 96 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (89)

Didn't vote (2)

Official motion: “PASSAGE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 16, 2018

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

Official motion: “Referred to joint committee on Finance by Committee on Senate Organization pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 16, 2018

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

Official motion: “Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 5 to 0 · Feb 16, 2018

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

Official motion: “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 32 to 0 · Feb 20, 2018

See how each of the 32 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Official motion: “CONCURRENCE”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. May 8, 2018

    The Assembly voted to override the veto.

  2. May 8, 2018

    “Partial veto placed on calendar 5-8-2018 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)” (the official wording)

  3. Mar 28, 2018

    The new law was published.

  4. Mar 28, 2018

    The governor signed it after striking some parts with a partial veto. It became 2017 Wisconsin Act 184.

  5. Mar 27, 2018

    Sent to the governor.

  6. Mar 21, 2018

    “Received from Senate: Senate recedes from its postion on (Senate Amendment 1)” (the official wording)

  7. Mar 20, 2018

    “Senate recedes from its position on Senate Amendment 1” (the official wording)

  8. Feb 22, 2018

    “Received from Assembly (Senate Amendment 1 nonconcurred in)” (the official wording)

  9. Feb 20, 2018

    The Assembly adopted it.

  10. Feb 20, 2018

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  11. Feb 20, 2018

    The Senate passed it too, 32 to 0.

  12. Feb 20, 2018

    The Senate adopted it.

  13. Feb 16, 2018

    1 more senator signed on in support.

  14. Feb 16, 2018

    “Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  15. Feb 16, 2018

    “Withdrawn from joint committee on Finance and made Available for Scheduling by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0” (the official wording)

  16. Feb 16, 2018

    Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.

  17. Feb 16, 2018

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Senate Organization.

  18. Jan 17, 2018

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety.

  19. Jan 16, 2018

    The Senate received it.

  20. Jan 16, 2018

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  21. Jan 16, 2018

    The Assembly passed it, 89 to 5.

  22. Jan 16, 2018

    The Assembly adopted it.

  23. Jan 11, 2018

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  24. Jan 10, 2018

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  25. Jan 10, 2018

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 10 to 0.

  26. Jan 10, 2018

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  27. Dec 5, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  28. Nov 28, 2017

    The committee held a public hearing.

  29. Nov 28, 2017

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  30. Nov 13, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  31. Nov 7, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  32. Oct 24, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  33. Oct 17, 2017

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  34. Oct 16, 2017

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Corrections.

  35. Oct 16, 2017

    Introduced in the Assembly.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Oct 16, 2017 · Assembly

    Introduced by Representatives Krug, Kulp, Petersen, Kleefisch, Mursau, Swearingen, Edming, VanderMeer, Skowronski and Nygren; cosponsored by Senators Testin, L. Taylor, Feyen, Marklein and Tiffany

  2. Oct 16, 2017 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Corrections

  3. Oct 17, 2017 · Assembly

    Representative Schraa added as a coauthor

  4. Oct 24, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  5. Nov 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  6. Nov 13, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  7. Nov 28, 2017 · Assembly

    Representative Bowen added as a coauthor

  8. Nov 28, 2017 · Assembly

    Public hearing held

  9. Dec 5, 2017 · Assembly

    Fiscal estimate received

  10. Jan 4, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Schraa and Kleefisch

  11. Jan 9, 2018 · Assembly

    Executive action taken

  12. Jan 10, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Spreitzer added as a coauthor

  13. Jan 10, 2018 · Assembly

    Report Assembly Amendment 1 adoption recommended by Committee on Corrections, Ayes 10, Noes 0

  14. Jan 10, 2018 · Assembly

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Corrections, Ayes 10, Noes 0

  15. Jan 10, 2018 · Assembly

    Referred to committee on Rules

  16. Jan 11, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Shankland added as a coauthor

  17. Jan 11, 2018 · Assembly

    Placed on calendar 1-16-2018 by Committee on Rules

  18. Jan 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  19. Jan 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 adopted

  20. Jan 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  21. Jan 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  22. Jan 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 89, Noes 5

  23. Jan 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Representative Thiesfeldt added as a coauthor

  24. Jan 16, 2018 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  25. Jan 16, 2018 · Senate

    Received from Assembly

  26. Jan 17, 2018 · Senate

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

  27. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Withdrawn from committee on Judiciary and Public Safety and rereferred to committee on Senate Organization pursuant to Senate Rule 46(2)(c)

  28. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  29. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Referred to joint committee on Finance by Committee on Senate Organization pursuant to Senate Rule 41 (1)(e), Ayes 5, Noes 0

  30. Feb 16, 2018 · 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 5, Noes 0

  31. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Public hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 5, Noes 0

  32. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 2-20-2018 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  33. Feb 16, 2018 · Senate

    Senator Ringhand added as a cosponsor

  34. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Testin

  35. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Read a second time

  36. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 adopted

  37. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  38. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  39. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Read a third time and concurred in as amended, Ayes 32, Noes 0

  40. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Representative Loudenbeck added as a coauthor

  41. Feb 20, 2018 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  42. Feb 20, 2018 · Assembly

    Received from Senate amended and concurred in as amended (Senate amendment 1 adopted)

  43. Feb 21, 2018 · Assembly

    Senate Amendment 1 nonconcurred in

  44. Feb 21, 2018 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  45. Feb 22, 2018 · Senate

    Received from Assembly (Senate Amendment 1 nonconcurred in)

  46. Mar 15, 2018 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 3-20-2018 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  47. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Senate recedes from its position on Senate Amendment 1

  48. Mar 20, 2018 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  49. Mar 21, 2018 · Assembly

    Received from Senate: Senate recedes from its postion on (Senate Amendment 1)

  50. Mar 27, 2018 · Assembly

    LRB correction

  51. Mar 27, 2018 · Assembly

    Report correctly enrolled on 3-27-2018

  52. Mar 27, 2018 · Assembly

    Presented to the Governor on 3-27-2018

  53. Mar 28, 2018 · Assembly

    Report approved by the Governor with partial veto on 3-28-2018. 2017 Wisconsin Act 184

  54. Mar 28, 2018 · Assembly

    Published 3-29-2018

  55. May 8, 2018 · Assembly

    Partial veto placed on calendar 5-8-2018 pursuant to Joint Rule 82 (2)(a)

  56. May 8, 2018 · Assembly

    Partial veto failed to pass notwithstanding the objections of the Governor pursuant to Joint Rule 82

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

Partial veto

Wisconsin's governor can strike parts of a budget bill and sign the rest into law.

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

Partial veto

Wisconsin's governor can strike parts of a budget bill and sign the rest into law.

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