University of Wisconsin research contracts. (FE)

What it does

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill changes the requirements that apply to research contracts involving the University of Wisconsin System (system) or a two-year or four-year UW school.

Current law generally prohibits a public officer or employee from participating in a contract in which he or she has a private pecuniary interest if the contract involves the officer's or employee's exercise of discretion as an officer or employee. Current law exempts from that prohibition contracts between the system or a UW school and a “research company,” which is defined as an entity engaged in commercial activity that is related either to research conducted by a system employee or officer or to the product of such research. The exemption applies if the system employee or officer responsible for evaluating and managing potential conflicts of interest approves the contract. In addition, if the contract and all other contracts between the parties requires $250,000 or more in payments over a 24-month period, the exemption applies only if the system submits the contract to the Board of Regents of the system and, within 45 days, the Board of Regents does not notify the system that entering into the contract would violate the prohibition.

Who's behind it

12 lawmakers are its authors⁠. 7 are Republicans and 5 are Democrats.

7 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From UWS

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo