LRB-5071/1
RAC:wlj
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
December 8, 2023 - Introduced by Senator Ballweg, cosponsored by
Representatives Pronschinske, Armstrong, Edming, Gundrum, Rozar and
Schmidt. Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
SJR93,1,2
1To amend section 34 of article IV of the constitution;
relating to: continuity of
2government (first consideration).
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Currently, the Wisconsin Constitution provides that the legislature, in order to
ensure the continuity of state and local governments during an emergency resulting
from enemy attack, must provide for the temporary succession to the powers and
duties of public office of any public officer who is unavailable to exercise the powers
and duties of office.
This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 2023 legislature on first
consideration, requires the legislature to provide for the temporary succession to the
powers and duties of public office of any public officer who is unavailable to exercise
the powers and duties of office during any emergency—not just an emergency
resulting from enemy attack.
A constitutional amendment requires adoption of two successive legislatures,
and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.
SJR93,1,3
3Resolved by the
senate, the assembly concurring, That:
SJR93,1
4Section
1. Section 34 of article IV of the constitution is amended to read:
SJR93,2,55
[Article IV] Section 34. The legislature, in order to ensure continuity of state
6and local governmental operations in periods of emergency
resulting from enemy
1action in the form of an attack, shall (1) forthwith provide for prompt and temporary
2succession to the powers and duties of public offices, of whatever nature and whether
3filled by election or appointment, the incumbents of which may become unavailable
4for carrying on the powers and duties of such offices, and (2) adopt such other
5measures as may be necessary and proper for attaining the objectives of this section.
SJR93,2,8
6Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the
7legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3
8months previous to the time of holding such election.
