This bill establishes a public financing system for judicial campaigns in Wisconsin, allowing candidates for supreme court justice, court of appeals judge, and circuit court judge positions to receive state funding if they meet specific contribution requirements. To qualify, candidates must collect at least 1,000 qualifying contributions totaling between $5,000 and $50,000 during a designated period, and they must file detailed receipts showing each contributor's name and address. The bill also limits anonymous contributions to $5 for public financing candidates and $10 for others, requiring any excess to be donated to schools or charities. Additionally, it creates a mechanism for transferring unspent public funds to replacement candidates when a vacancy occurs, with funds reverting to the state if no replacement is filed within seven days.
This bill would require the Wisconsin state courts to remove defendants' names from public eviction records when an eviction case is dismissed. It creates a new rule that mandates redaction of names from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Internet site for dismissed eviction actions, while keeping names visible for cases where eviction writs are granted for at least 10 years. The change applies to eviction cases dismissed on or after the bill's effective date. This legislation directly affects tenants involved in dismissed eviction proceedings and modifies how public court records are managed for those specific cases.
This bill creates a new Office of Civil Legal Aid overseen by a nine-member Civil Legal Aid Board, which would be appointed by the state supreme court and include at least five attorneys. The legislation guarantees that residential tenants facing eviction have the right to be represented by a state-appointed lawyer, unless they voluntarily give up that right. Landlords would be required to include a notice in their rental agreements and eviction notices informing tenants of this right and explaining how to request legal representation. The bill also establishes procedures for the board to manage attorney appointments, handle budget approvals, and enter into agreements with legal organizations to support the program.
This bill proposes stricter penalties for repeat drunk driving offenses by increasing license revocation periods and fines for individuals with two or more qualifying convictions within a 10-year window. It directly affects drivers convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, particularly those with prior convictions, suspensions, or revocations that count toward the two-conviction threshold. The legislation establishes specific revocation durations ranging from one to two years, allows for occupational licenses after a waiting period if the driver completes required assessments and safety plans, and sets minimum fines between $350 and $1,100 with mandatory jail time of at least five days. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for tribal court revocations to align with state penalties and outlines conditions under which reduced jail sentences may apply if probation with treatment is successfully completed.
This bill proposes amending the Wisconsin Constitution to establish a presumption that people accused of crimes are eligible for pretrial release under reasonable conditions, rather than requiring them to pay cash bail. It would allow courts to deny release only if there is a reasonable basis to believe monetary conditions are necessary to ensure court appearance or protect the community, with stricter rules for violent crimes. The amendment also sets specific time limits for denying release before and after hearings for serious offenses like murder or sexual assault, while requiring courts to use clear and convincing evidence to justify keeping someone detained. This measure would shift the legal standard from requiring proof of dangerousness to prove release is unsafe, placing the burden on prosecutors to overcome the presumption of eligibility.
This bill expands the Wisconsin attorney general's authority to file civil lawsuits on behalf of the state against individuals or entities accused of violating civil rights in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations. It allows the attorney general to investigate these potential violations by requiring sworn statements, accessing relevant documents, and issuing subpoenas to gather information. If a violation is found, the attorney general can seek court orders to stop the illegal conduct, recover investigation costs, and impose civil penalties of up to $50,000 for first offenses or $100,000 for subsequent violations within seven years. The bill also permits the attorney general to accept voluntary compliance agreements as an alternative to litigation, though breaking such agreements would still be treated as a violation subject to penalties.
This bill creates a new civil legal option for victims of sexual extortion to sue for damages without needing to go through criminal court proceedings. It allows individuals who suffer physical injury, emotional distress, or property loss due to sexual extortion to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator, with provisions for parents or guardians to sue on behalf of children. The law permits plaintiffs to use initials instead of their real names in court filings to protect their privacy and allows for recovery of emotional distress damages, punitive damages, and legal fees. Importantly, victims can pursue this civil action regardless of whether criminal charges were filed or the outcome of any criminal case.
SB 845 repeals and amends specific sections of state law related to operating while intoxicated (OWI) and refusal to provide chemical tests, correcting provisions deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill removes penalties for refusal that were treated as separate offenses (e.g., repealing sections like 23.33 (4p) (a) 3. and 30.684 (1) (c)) and adjusts penalty structures for repeat OWI violations to align with the Court's ruling. It directly affects individuals charged with OWI or refusal, as well as law enforcement officers enforcing these laws, by ensuring refusal penalties are only applied alongside OWI violations rather than as standalone offenses. The changes clarify that refusal penalties now follow the same procedures as OWI violations, eliminating unconstitutional distinctions in the statutes.
AB 912 amends Wisconsin law to allow audiovisual recordings of children's statements as evidence in court for children aged 12 to 18 (previously 12-16). The bill requires recordings to begin before the child's statement is made and directs courts to consider factors like the child's age and the interests of justice when admitting such evidence. It specifically raises the upper age limit for admissibility from 16 to 18 years old. This change directly affects children involved in legal cases where their recorded statements might be used as evidence. The bill does not alter how recordings are made but adjusts the eligibility criteria and court considerations.
SB 884 modifies Wisconsin law to allow audiovisual recordings of children's statements to be admitted as evidence in court for children aged 12 to 18 (previously 12 to 16). The bill requires courts to consider specific factors - such as the child's maturity and whether the recording was made appropriately - before admitting such evidence. It directly affects child witnesses in legal cases, particularly in matters like abuse or neglect where their statements might be recorded. The key change raises the upper age limit for this evidence rule from 16 to 18 years old. The bill does not alter the requirement that recordings must be made before the child's 18th birthday.
