Assembly Bill 189
An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage
Topics: Court: Procedure, Divorce
Stopped before the full Assembly voted
The recommended passing it, but the full Assembly never voted on it. The last day for votes this session was Mar 19, 2026. To try again, a lawmaker would have to start a new bill.
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Introduced, passed
Apr 15, 2025
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Assembly vote, stopped here
Stopped here. The full Assembly never voted on it.
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Senate vote, not reached
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Governor, not reached
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Law, not reached
Latest entry in the official record, Mar 23, 2026: “Failed to pass pursuant to ”
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The same bill was also filed in the Senate as SB 189. That version became law.
Terms on this page
Committee
A small group of lawmakers that looks at a bill first. Most bills never leave committee.
Senate Joint Resolution 1
The session's calendar. Any bill not passed by its last voting day dies.
Official term: Failed to pass pursuant to SJR 1. 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
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote. More in the glossary
What it would have done
Summary by the , the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.
This bill allows a court to enter a judgment of divorce or legal separation based on an affidavit signed by each party to the action (final hearing by affidavit). Under current law, all hearings and trials to determine whether a divorce or legal separation must be granted must be before the court entering the judgment.
In order for a final hearing by affidavit to be granted, the parties to the divorce or legal separation action must 1) be represented by counsel or have worked with a lawyer mediator with special skills and training in dispute resolution who is registered on the case and drafted and filed the signed stipulation related to divorce or legal separation, 2) sign and file any stipulation required by the court, and 3) submit the signed affidavit, which must meet a number of requirements, including that the affidavit waives the right to a hearing in person before a court.
Who's behind it
5 representatives are its . 3 are Republicans and 2 are Democrats.
4 more lawmakers .
See all 9 names Hide the names
Authors (5)
- Steve Doyle · Democrat, Assembly
- Jerry O'Connor · Republican, Assembly
- Lori Palmeri · Democrat, Assembly
- Jim Piwowarczyk · Republican, Assembly
- Ron Tusler · Republican, Assembly
Signed on in support (4)
- Rachael Cabral-Guevara · Republican, Senate
- Melissa Ratcliff · Democrat, Senate
- Shelia Stubbs · Democrat, Assembly
- Eric Wimberger · Republican, Senate
How lawmakers voted
There was one vote on this bill.
Assembly Committee on Children and Families vote to recommend it
Passed, 9 to 0 · May 29, 2025
No member-by-member record exists for this vote. Committee votes and some older sessions record totals only.
Official motion: “Report passage recommended by Committee on Children and Families, Ayes 9, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Mar 23, 2026
The session ended, and the bill died with it.
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Jun 18, 2025 to Sep 11, 2025
1 more representative and 1 senator signed on in support.
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May 29, 2025
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.
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May 29, 2025
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 9 to 0.
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May 7, 2025
The committee held a public hearing.
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Apr 15, 2025
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Children and Families.
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Apr 15, 2025
Introduced in the Assembly.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Apr 15, 2025 · Assembly
Introduced by Representatives Tusler, O'Connor, Doyle, Palmeri and Piwowarczyk; cosponsored by Senators Wimberger and Cabral-Guevara
- Apr 15, 2025 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to Committee on Children and Families
- May 7, 2025 · Assembly
Public hearing held
- May 21, 2025 · Assembly
Executive action taken
- May 29, 2025 · Assembly
Report passage recommended by Committee on Children and Families, Ayes 9, Noes 0
- May 29, 2025 · Assembly
Referred to committee on Rules
- Jun 18, 2025 · Assembly
Senator Ratcliff added as a cosponsor
- Sep 9, 2025 · Assembly
Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 9-11-2025
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Representative Stubbs added as a coauthor
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Laid on the table
- Mar 23, 2026 · Assembly
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
Terms on this page
Committee
A small group of lawmakers that looks at a bill first. Most bills never leave committee.
Senate Joint Resolution 1
The session's calendar. Any bill not passed by its last voting day dies.
Official term: Failed to pass pursuant to SJR 1. 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
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
Committee
A small group of lawmakers that looks at a bill first. Most bills never leave committee.
Senate Joint Resolution 1
The session's calendar. Any bill not passed by its last voting day dies.
Official term: Failed to pass pursuant to SJR 1
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
Signed on in support
Lawmakers who back a bill without being one of its authors, often from the other chamber.
Official term: Cosponsor
Roll call
A vote where each lawmaker's yes or no is recorded by name.
Official term: Roll call vote