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Bills from the 2017–18 session

Senate Bill 15

Various changes regarding administrative rules and rule-making procedures and making an appropriation. (FE)

Became law

The governor signed it on Aug 9, 2017. It's ⁠.

  1. Introduced, passed

    Jan 26, 2017

  2. Committee, passed

    Approved

  3. Senate vote, passed

    Passed May 2, 2017

  4. Assembly vote, passed

    Passed 62 to 34

  5. Governor, passed

    Signed

  6. Law, here now

    2017 Wisconsin Act 57

Latest entry in the official record, Aug 9, 2017: “Published 8-10-2017”

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 1) requires scope statements for proposed administrative rules to be reviewed by the Department of Administration for a determination of an agency's authority to promulgate a rule; 2) requires agencies to hold preliminary public hearings and comment periods on scope statements for rules if directed to do so by the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR); 3) requires the passage of a bill in order for an agency to promulgate a rule that would result in implementation and compliance costs of $10 million over any two-year period, subject to certain exceptions; and 4) allows either a cochairperson of JCRAR or JCRAR as a whole, at certain steps in the rule-making process, to request the preparation of an independent economic impact analysis for a proposed rule.

Current law Current law sets forth the procedure for promulgating administrative rules.

Read the full summary

Generally, that procedure consists of the following steps:

1. The agency planning to promulgate the rule prepares a statement of the scope of the proposed rule (scope statement), which must be approved by the governor and the agency head before any state employee or official may perform any activity in connection with the drafting of the proposed rule.

2. The agency drafts the proposed rule, together with an economic impact analysis, plain-language analysis, and

Who's behind it

9 senators are its ⁠. All 9 are Republicans.

36 more lawmakers ⁠.

See all 45 names

Authors (9)

Signed on in support (36)

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 12 votes on this bill.

Senate Committee on Government Operations vote on an amendment

Passed, 3 to 2 · Apr 26, 2017

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

Official motion: “Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate Committee on Government Operations vote to recommend it

Passed, 3 to 2 · Apr 26, 2017

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, Technology and Consumer Protection, Ayes 3, Noes 2”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote

Passed, 5 to 0 · Apr 28, 2017

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 · Apr 28, 2017

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 on an amendment

Passed, 18 to 14 · May 2, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 14”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote on an amendment

Passed, 20 to 13 · May 2, 2017

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

Official motion: “Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 20, Noes 13”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Senate vote to pass it

Passed, 19 to 14 · May 2, 2017

See how each of the 33 senators voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

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

Assembly vote to pass it

Passed, 62 to 34 · Jun 14, 2017 · 3 didn't vote

See how each of the 99 representatives voted

D: Democrat, R: Republican

Yes (62)

Didn't vote (3)

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

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 62 to 33 · Jun 14, 2017

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 62, Noes 33”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 62 to 33 · Jun 14, 2017

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

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 33”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 62 to 33 · Jun 14, 2017

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

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 33”. Official record · This vote on its own page

Assembly vote on an amendment

Passed, 62 to 33 · Jun 14, 2017

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

Official motion: “Assembly Amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 33”. Official record · This vote on its own page

What happened

  1. Aug 9, 2017

    The new law was published.

  2. Aug 9, 2017

    The governor signed it. It became 2017 Wisconsin Act 57.

  3. Aug 3, 2017

    Sent to the governor.

  4. Jun 14, 2017

    The Assembly passed it too, 62 to 34.

  5. May 12, 2017

    1 more representative signed on in support.

  6. May 3, 2017

    Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.

  7. May 2, 2017

    The Assembly received it.

  8. May 2, 2017

    The Senate passed it, 19 to 14.

  9. May 2, 2017

    The Senate adopted it.

  10. Apr 28, 2017

    “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)

  11. Apr 28, 2017

    Sent to the Joint Committee on Finance.

  12. Apr 26, 2017

    The committee voted to recommend passing it, 3 to 2.

  13. Apr 26, 2017

    “Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection, Ayes 3, Noes 2” (the official wording)

  14. Mar 30, 2017

    The committee held a public hearing.

  15. Mar 28, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  16. Mar 1, 2017

    A state agency sent in its estimate of the cost.

  17. Jan 26, 2017

    Sent to the Senate Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection.

  18. Jan 26, 2017

    Introduced in the Senate.

See the official record, word for word
  1. Jan 26, 2017 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators LeMahieu, Darling, Kapenga, Lasee, Marklein, Nass, Stroebel, Tiffany and Vukmir; cosponsored by Representatives Neylon, Jarchow, Brandtjen, Duchow, E. Brooks, Edming, Gannon, Jacque, Jagler, Katsma, Kleefisch, Kooyenga, Kremer, Krug, Kulp, Murphy, Petersen, Quinn, R. Brooks, Ripp, Rodriguez, Schraa, Spiros, Summerfield, Swearingen, Thiesfeldt, Tittl, Tranel, Tusler, Vorpagel, Weatherston, Wichgers, Hutton, Sanfelippo and Tauchen

  2. Jan 26, 2017 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection

  3. Mar 1, 2017 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  4. Mar 28, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator LeMahieu

  5. Mar 28, 2017 · Senate

    Fiscal estimate received

  6. Mar 30, 2017 · Senate

    Public hearing held

  7. Apr 24, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator LeMahieu

  8. Apr 26, 2017 · Senate

    Executive action taken

  9. Apr 26, 2017 · Senate

    Report adoption of Senate Substitute Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  10. Apr 26, 2017 · Senate

    Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection, Ayes 3, Noes 2

  11. Apr 26, 2017 · Senate

    Available for scheduling

  12. Apr 28, 2017 · Senate

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

  13. Apr 28, 2017 · 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

  14. Apr 28, 2017 · Senate

    Placed on calendar 5-2-2017 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)

  15. May 1, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senator LeMahieu

  16. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Vinehout, L. Taylor, Carpenter, Erpenbach, Risser, Ringhand, Miller, Shilling, Bewley, Wirch, Hansen, C. Larson and Johnson

  17. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 offered by Senators Vinehout, Carpenter, L. Taylor, Erpenbach, Risser, Ringhand, Miller, Shilling, Bewley, Wirch, Hansen, C. Larson and Johnson

  18. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Read a second time

  19. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 1 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  20. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 2 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 18, Noes 14

  21. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Substitute Amendment 1 rejected, Ayes 20, Noes 13

  22. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Senate Substitute Amendment 1 adopted

  23. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Ordered to a third reading

  24. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Rules suspended

  25. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Read a third time and passed, Ayes 19, Noes 14

  26. May 2, 2017 · Senate

    Ordered immediately messaged

  27. May 2, 2017 · Assembly

    Received from Senate

  28. May 3, 2017 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to committee on Rules

  29. May 12, 2017 · Assembly

    Representative Allen added as a cosponsor

  30. Jun 7, 2017 · Assembly

    Placed on calendar 6-14-2017 by Committee on Rules

  31. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up

  32. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Read a second time

  33. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 offered by Representatives Zamarripa, Mason, Barca, Anderson, Hebl, Sinicki, Kessler, Vruwink, Hesselbein, Brostoff, Ohnstad, Bowen, Spreitzer and Kolste

  34. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 1 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 33

  35. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 offered by Representatives Zamarripa, Hesselbein, Hebl, Kolste, Subeck, Anderson, Spreitzer and Vruwink

  36. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 2 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 33

  37. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 offered by Representatives Hesselbein, Barca, Zamarripa, Hebl, Ohnstad, Anderson, Kolste, Vruwink and Spreitzer

  38. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 3 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 33

  39. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 4 offered by Representatives Mason, Barca, Spreitzer, Hesselbein, Vruwink, Hebl, Kolste, Sinicki and Anderson

  40. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Assembly Amendment 4 laid on table, Ayes 62, Noes 33

  41. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Ordered to a third reading

  42. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Rules suspended

  43. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Read a third time and concurred in, Ayes 62, Noes 34

  44. Jun 14, 2017 · Assembly

    Ordered immediately messaged

  45. Jun 15, 2017 · Senate

    Received from Assembly concurred in

  46. Jun 22, 2017 · Senate

    Report correctly enrolled

  47. Aug 3, 2017 · Senate

    Presented to the Governor on 8-3-2017

  48. Aug 9, 2017 · Senate

    Report approved by the Governor on 8-9-2017. 2017 Wisconsin Act 57

  49. Aug 9, 2017 · Senate

    Published 8-10-2017

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