An Act to amend 977.03 (1), 977.05 (1) and 977.05 (2) of the statutes; Relating to: eliminating obsolete provisions regarding the term of a state public defender and the removal of the state public defender (suggested as remedial language by the State Public Defender).
Sponsored By: Law Revision Committee
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Public defender appointment, removal, and contracts
The board appoints the state public defender, who must be a Wisconsin Bar member and work full time. The defender serves a 5-year term and stays until a successor is appointed; the officeholder on July 1, 1980 serves at the board’s pleasure. The board can remove the defender using the standard state removal process. For five-year terms that began before July 1, 1980, removal requires cause and a public hearing. The board may also sign contracts with federal agencies and local public defender groups to provide legal services.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Law Revision Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Tim Carpenter
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Published 3-28-2026
3/27/2026HouseReport approved by the Governor on 3-27-2026. 2025 Wisconsin Act 141
3/27/2026HousePresented to the Governor on 3-26-2026
3/26/2026HouseReport correctly enrolled on 3-19-2026
3/19/2026HouseReceived from Senate concurred in
3/18/2026HouseOrdered immediately messaged
3/17/2026SenateSenator Carpenter added as a cosponsor
3/17/2026SenateRead a third time and concurred in
3/17/2026SenateRules suspended to give bill its third reading
3/17/2026SenateOrdered to a third reading
3/17/2026SenateRead a second time
3/17/2026SenatePlaced on calendar 3-17-2026 pursuant to Senate Rule 18(1)
3/16/2026SenatePublic hearing requirement waived by committee on Senate Organization, pursuant to Senate Rule 18 (1m), Ayes 3, Noes 2
3/16/2026SenateAvailable for scheduling
2/11/2026SenateRead first time and referred to committee on Senate Organization
2/11/2026SenateReceived from Assembly
2/10/2026SenateOrdered immediately messaged
2/10/2026HouseRead a third time and passed
2/10/2026HouseRules suspended
2/10/2026HouseOrdered to a third reading
2/10/2026HouseRead a second time
2/10/2026HousePlaced on calendar 2-10-2026 by Committee on Rules
2/5/2026HouseRead first time and referred to Committee on Rules
1/28/2026HouseIntroduced by Law Revision Committee
1/28/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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