Senate Bill 189
An optional final hearing by affidavit for the dissolution of a marriage
Topics: Court: Procedure, Divorce
Became law
The governor signed it on Nov 3, 2025. It's .
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Introduced, passed
Apr 14, 2025
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Committee, passed
Approved
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Senate vote, passed
Passed Jun 18, 2025
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Assembly vote, passed
Passed Sep 11, 2025
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Governor, passed
Signed
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Law, here now
2025 Wisconsin Act 40
Latest entry in the official record, Nov 3, 2025: “Published 11-1-2025”
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The same bill was also filed in the Assembly as AB 189. That version died when the session ended.
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
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 does
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
2 senators are its . All 2 are Republicans.
6 more lawmakers .
See all 8 names Hide the names
Authors (2)
- Rachael Cabral-Guevara · Republican, Senate
- Eric Wimberger · Republican, Senate
Signed on in support (6)
- Steve Doyle · Democrat, Assembly
- Jerry O'Connor · Republican, Assembly
- Lori Palmeri · Democrat, Assembly
- Jim Piwowarczyk · Republican, Assembly
- Melissa Ratcliff · Democrat, Senate
- Ron Tusler · Republican, Assembly
How lawmakers voted
There was one vote on this bill.
Senate Committee on Mental Health vote to recommend it
Passed, 5 to 0 · Jun 13, 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 Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, Ayes 5, Noes 0”. Official record · This vote on its own page
What happened
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Nov 3, 2025
The new law was published.
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Nov 3, 2025
The governor signed it. It became 2025 Wisconsin Act 40.
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Oct 30, 2025
Sent to the governor.
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Sep 11, 2025
The Assembly passed it too.
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Jul 16, 2025
Sent to the Assembly Committee on Rules.
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Jun 19, 2025
The Assembly received it.
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Jun 18, 2025
The Senate passed it.
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Jun 18, 2025
1 more senator signed on in support.
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Jun 13, 2025
The committee voted to recommend passing it, 5 to 0.
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May 7, 2025
The committee held a public hearing.
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Apr 14, 2025
Sent to the Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families.
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Apr 14, 2025
Introduced in the Senate.
See the official record, word for word Hide the official record
- Apr 14, 2025 · Senate
Introduced by Senators Wimberger and Cabral-Guevara; cosponsored by Representatives Tusler, O'Connor, Doyle, Palmeri and Piwowarczyk
- Apr 14, 2025 · Senate
Read first time and referred to Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families
- May 7, 2025 · Senate
Public hearing held
- Jun 11, 2025 · Senate
Executive action taken
- Jun 13, 2025 · Senate
Report passage recommended by Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, Ayes 5, Noes 0
- Jun 13, 2025 · Senate
Available for scheduling
- Jun 17, 2025 · Senate
Placed on calendar 6-18-2025 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
- Jun 18, 2025 · Senate
Senator Ratcliff added as a coauthor
- Jun 18, 2025 · Senate
Read a second time
- Jun 18, 2025 · Senate
Ordered to a third reading
- Jun 18, 2025 · Senate
Rules suspended to give bill its third reading
- Jun 18, 2025 · Senate
Read a third time and passed
- Jun 18, 2025 · Senate
Ordered immediately messaged
- Jun 19, 2025 · Assembly
Received from Senate
- Jul 16, 2025 · Assembly
Read first time and referred to committee on Rules
- Sep 9, 2025 · Assembly
Withdrawn from Committee on Rules and referred to calendar of 9-11-2025
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Rules suspended to withdraw from calendar and take up
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Read a second time
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Ordered to a third reading
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Rules suspended
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Read a third time and concurred in
- Sep 11, 2025 · Assembly
Ordered immediately messaged
- Sep 11, 2025 · Senate
Received from Assembly concurred in
- Sep 17, 2025 · Senate
Report correctly enrolled
- Oct 30, 2025 · Senate
Presented to the Governor on 10-30-2025
- Nov 3, 2025 · Senate
Report approved by the Governor on 10-31-2025. 2025 Wisconsin Act 40
- Nov 3, 2025 · Senate
Published 11-1-2025
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
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
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