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Bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

AB 170

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: prohibiting the Department of Justice from using the legal services of nongovernmental employees. (FE)

Attorney Attorney general Justice department of

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Assembly, not reached
  3. Passes Senate, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. Law, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill prohibits the Department of Justice from using the legal services of any person who is not a state employee or federal employee or agent to assist in the investigation or prosecution of any civil or criminal cause or matter unless DOJ uses a specific process under current law for contracting for legal services on a contingent fee basis or that person is a legal intern who earns no more than $10,000 annually from their internship employer.

Sponsors

Introduced by: Allen (R) , B. Jacobson (R) , Behnke (R) , Dittrich (R) , Donovan (R) , Franklin (R) , Knodl (R) , Kreibich (R) , Maxey (R) , Melotik (R) , Moses (R) , Murphy (R) , Mursau (R) , O'Connor (R) , Penterman (R) , Tusler (R)

4 cosponsors

Feyen (R) , Nass (R) , Tomczyk (R) , Wimberger (R)

Registered lobbying interests · 2

Organizations that registered lobbying activity on this bill with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission. Registration means interest, not a position for or against. Official record

Full history

  1. Apr 9, 2025 · Assembly

    Introduced by Representatives O'Connor, Tusler, Murphy, B. Jacobson, Donovan, Franklin, Moses, Maxey, Kreibich, Dittrich, Allen, Behnke, Knodl, Penterman, Melotik and Mursau; cosponsored by Senators Wimberger, Feyen, Nass and Tomczyk

  2. Apr 9, 2025 · Assembly

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary

  3. Mar 23, 2026 · Assembly

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1