SJR 139 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: slavery or involuntary servitude in punishment of a crime (first consideration).

This bill proposes adding a clause to the state constitution that explicitly prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime where the person has been duly convicted. The amendment would modify the existing constitutional language to clarify that the exception for criminal punishment remains in place. If approved by voters, it would codify a long-standing legal principle into the state's fundamental law. The measure is currently in the legislative process and has not yet been adopted.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 12, 2026 Last action Mar 23, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Amendments
1
Mar 23, 2026
Amended
Failed to adopt pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Drake, L. Johnson, Dassler-Alfheim, Larson, Ratcliff, Roys, Spreitzer and Wall; cosponsored by Representatives Madison, Moore Omokunde, Arney, Goodwin, Haywood, Rivera-Wagner, Stubbs, Taylor, Bare, Brown, Clancy, Joers, Kirsch, McCarville, Miresse, Neubauer, Roe, Sinicki, Tenorio and Udell
upper
8 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors