Bills · 2021-2022 Regular Session
Relating to: providing for gubernatorial appointment of the secretary of state, state treasurer, and state superintendent of public instruction and requiring the creation of the Department of Revenue under the direction and supervision of the state treasurer (first consideration).
Constitutional amendments — First consideration Governor — Appointments Revenue department of Secretary of state State superintendent of public instruction Treasurer — State
- Introduced, stopped here
- Passes Assembly, not reached
- Passes Senate, not reached
- Adopted, not reached
Unfamiliar terms? Glossary
What this bill does
Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau
This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2021 legislature on first
consideration, does all of the following:
1. Provides for appointment of the state treasurer and establishment of the
Department of Revenue. Currently, the constitution provides for popular election of
the state treasurer every four years. Under this constitutional amendment, the
governor appoints the state treasurer for a four-year term, subject to the advice and
consent of the senate. The proposal also specifies certain events causing a vacancy
in office. Currently, the only duty assigned to the state treasurer by the constitution
is to serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. All other
powers and duties are prescribed by law.
The constitutional amendment further requires the legislature to establish by
law the Department of Revenue to administer Wisconsin's tax laws. Under the
amendment, the Department of Revenue is to be under the direction and supervision
of the state treasurer.
2. Provides for appointment of the secretary of state. Currently, the
constitution provides for popular election of the secretary of state every four years.
Under this constitutional amendment, the governor appoints the secretary of state
for a four-year term, subject to the advice and consent of the senate. The proposal
also specifies certain events causing a vacancy in office. The constitution assigns the
following four duties to the secretary of state, with all other powers and duties being
prescribed by law:
a. Serve as governor when there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor
and the governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office, or serve as acting governor
when there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor and the governor is
absent from the state, impeached, or incapable of performing the duties of office.
b. Keep a fair record of the official acts of the legislature and executive
department of the state.
c. Serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.
d. Keep the great seal of Wisconsin.
3. Provides for appointment of the state superintendent of public instruction.
Currently, the constitution provides for popular election of the state superintendent
of public instruction. Under this constitutional amendment, the governor appoints
the state superintendent for a four-year term, subject to the advice and consent of
the senate. The proposal also specifies certain events causing a vacancy in office.
The constitution vests the supervision of public instruction in the state
superintendent and such other officers as the legislature directs. The state
superintendent's powers and duties are prescribed by law.
A constitutional amendment requires adoption by two successive legislatures
and ratification by the people before it can become effective.