Chapter 13

13.111 13.111 Joint committee on employment relations.

13.111(1) (1) Creation. There is created a permanent joint legislative committee known as the joint committee on employment relations with such powers and authority as are provided by law and composed of the following 8 members:

13.111(1)(a) (a) Senate cochairperson, joint committee on finance.

13.111(1)(b) (b) Assembly cochairperson, joint committee on finance.

13.111(1)(c) (c) Assembly majority leader.

13.111(1)(d) (d) Assembly minority leader.

13.111(1)(e) (e) Senate majority leader.

13.111(1)(f) (f) Senate minority leader.

13.111(1)(g) (g) Speaker of the assembly.

13.111(1)(h) (h) President of the senate.

13.111(2) (2) Duties. The joint committee on employment relations shall perform the functions assigned to it under subch. V of ch. 111, subch. II of ch. 230 and ss. 16.53 (1) (d) 1., 20.916, 20.917, and 20.923.

13.111 History History: 1971 c. 270; 1977 c. 196 s. 131; 1977 c. 325, 418; 1979 c. 34; 1979 c. 177 s. 86; 1983 a. 27 s. 2201 (33); 1983 a. 30 s. 13; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 10.

13.121 13.121 Legislators’ salaries and benefits.

13.121(1) (1) Current member. From the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b), each member of the legislature shall be paid, in equal installments, the salary provided under s. 20.923.

13.121(2) (2) Deceased Member. The salary of any member who dies during a term of office shall be paid for each pay period to a beneficiary named by the member in writing and filed with the chief clerk of the house in which the member serves, until a personal representative has been appointed and qualified, and then to such personal representative until a successor has been elected and qualified. When any person elected a member dies before commencement of the term of office to which the person is elected, the person shall be deemed a member dying during such term of office and the person’s salary shall be paid for each pay period to the person’s estate or personal representative until a successor is elected and qualified.

13.121(3) (3) Speaker. For services as speaker, the speaker of the assembly shall receive $25 per month, payable monthly, in addition to the speaker’s compensation, expenses and mileage as a member.

13.121(4) (4) Insurance. For the purpose of premium determinations under s. 40.05 (4) and (5) each member of the legislature shall accrue sick leave at a rate equivalent to a percentage of time worked recommended for such positions by the administrator of the division of personnel management in the department of administration and approved by the joint committee on employment relations in the same manner as compensation for such positions is determined under s. 20.923. This percentage of time worked shall be applied to the sick leave accrual rate established under s. 230.35 (2). The approved percentage shall be incorporated into the compensation plan under s. 230.12 (1).

13.121 History History: 1973 c. 51, 243; 1977 c. 196 s. 131; 1981 c. 96 s. 67; 1983 a. 27 ss. 8, 9, 2202 (33); 1991 a. 316; 2003 a. 33 ss. 11, 12, 9160; 2005 a. 25; 2015 a. 55.

13.123 13.123 Legislators’ expenses.

13.123(1) (1) In-session expenses.

13.123(1)(a) (a)

13.123(1)(a)1. 1. Any member of the legislature who has signified, by affidavit filed with the department of administration, the necessity of establishing a temporary residence at the state capital for the period of any regular or special legislative session shall be entitled to an allowance for expenses incurred for food and lodging for each day that he or she is in Madison on legislative business, but not including any Saturday or Sunday unless the legislator is in actual attendance on such day at a session of the legislature or a meeting of a standing committee of which the legislator is a member. The amount of the allowance for each biennial session shall be 90 percent of the per diem rate for travel for federal government business within the city of Madison, as established by the federal general services administration. For the purpose of determining the amount of the allowance, the administrator of the division of personnel management in the department of administration shall certify to the chief clerk of each house the federal per diem rate in effect on December 1, or the first business day thereafter if December 1 is not a business day, in each even-numbered year. Each legislator shall file an affidavit with the chief clerk of his or her house certifying the specific dollar amount within the authorized allowance the member wishes to receive. Such affidavit, when filed, shall remain in effect for the biennial session.

13.123(1)(a)2. 2. Any legislator may, if the legislator chooses not to establish a temporary residence at the state capital, claim one-half of the allowance under subd. 1. for each of the days authorized thereunder.

13.123(1)(b) (b) No allowance shall be paid under this subsection for any day during a recess of the legislature for 30 days or more unless so provided by joint resolution adopted by both houses of the legislature.

13.123(1)(c) (c) Each member shall certify to the chief clerk of the house in which the member serves, as promptly as may be following the 1st of each month, the number of days during the previous calendar month on which the member was in Madison on legislative business and for which the member seeks the allowance provided by this subsection. Such allowances shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b) within one week after each calendar month; and shall be paid, upon the filing with the department of administration, the chief clerk’s affidavit stating the number of days in Madison on legislative business for all members of the chief clerk’s house.

13.123(2) (2) Interim expenses. From the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b), each member of the legislature shall be entitled to an expense allowance for postage and clerical assistance for each full calendar month during which the legislature is in actual session 3 days or less. No allowance is payable to a representative to the assembly unless the speaker of the assembly files with the chief clerk of the assembly a written authorization for the allowance to be paid. No allowance is payable to a senator unless the majority leader of the senate files with the chief clerk of the senate a written authorization for the allowance to be paid. An authorization filed under this subsection becomes effective for the month in which it is filed and continues in effect through the month in which the speaker of the assembly or the majority leader of the senate files a written revocation of the authorization with the chief clerk of the appropriate house. The rate of such allowance shall be as follows:

13.123(2)(a) (a) For representatives to the assembly such expense allowance shall be at the rate of $25 per month.

13.123(2)(b) (b) For senators such expense allowance shall be at the rate of $75 per month.

13.123(3) (3) Attendance at meetings.

13.123(3)(a) (a) Any senator authorized by the committee on senate organization to attend a meeting outside the state capital, any representative to the assembly authorized by the committee on assembly organization to attend an out-of-state meeting or authorized by the speaker to attend a meeting within this state outside the state capital, and all members of the legislature required by law, legislative rule, resolution or joint resolution to attend such meetings, shall be paid no additional compensation for such services but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b), but no legislator may be reimbursed under this subsection for expenses on any day for which the legislator submits a claim under sub. (1).

13.123(3)(b) (b)

13.123(3)(b)1. 1. Notwithstanding par. (a), no member of the legislature may be reimbursed for attendance at any meeting held outside this state, other than a meeting of the legislature, a legislative committee, committee of the joint legislative council or a statutory body of which the person is a duly constituted member, after the chief clerk of the member’s house determines one of the following:

13.123(3)(b)1.a. a. After the day of the partisan primary, that the member either has not filed nomination papers for reelection or election to another legislative seat or has sought a party nomination for a legislative seat but it is generally acknowledged that the member has not won nomination.

13.123(3)(b)1.b. b. After the day of the general election, that it is generally acknowledged that the member has not been elected to a legislative seat for the succeeding session.

13.123(3)(b)2. 2. In making the determination under subd. 1., the chief clerk is bound by the determination of the chairperson of the elections commission or the chairperson’s designee if such determination has been issued.

13.123(3)(c) (c) Paragraph (b) may not be construed to affect eligibility for any allowance authorized under sub. (1) or (2).

13.123 History History: 1971 c. 13; 1973 c. 1; 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 115, 277, 325; 1979 c. 34 s. 2100; 1983 a. 27 ss. 10, 2202 (33); 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 52; 1995 a. 27, 225; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 182; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33 ss. 13 to 16, 9160; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 1; 2011 a. 75; 2015 a. 55, 118.

13.124 13.124 Legal representation.

13.124(1) (1) 

13.124(1)(a) (a) The speaker of the assembly, in his or her sole discretion, may authorize a representative to the assembly or assembly employee who requires legal representation to obtain legal counsel other than from the department of justice, with the cost of representation paid from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a), if the acts or allegations underlying the action are arguably within the scope of the representative’s or employee’s duties. The speaker shall approve all financial costs and terms of representation.

13.124(1)(b) (b) The speaker of the assembly, in his or her sole discretion, may obtain legal counsel other than from the department of justice, with the cost of representation paid from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a), in any action in which the assembly is a party or in which the interests of the assembly are affected, as determined by the speaker. The speaker shall approve all financial costs and terms of representation.

13.124(2) (2) 

13.124(2)(a) (a) The senate majority leader, in his or her sole discretion, may authorize a senator or senate employee who requires legal representation to obtain legal counsel other than from the department of justice, with the cost of representation paid from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (b), if the acts or allegations underlying the action are arguably within the scope of the senator’s or employee’s duties. The senate majority leader shall approve all financial costs and terms of representation.

13.124(2)(b) (b) The senate majority leader, in his or her sole discretion, may obtain legal counsel other than from the department of justice, with the cost of representation paid from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (b), in any action in which the senate is a party or in which the interests of the senate are affected, as determined by the senate majority leader. The senate majority leader shall approve all financial costs and terms of representation.

13.124(3) (3) 

13.124(3)(a) (a) The cochairpersons of the joint committee on legislative organization, in their sole discretion, may authorize an employee of a legislative service agency, as defined in s. 13.90 (1m) (a), who requires legal representation to obtain legal counsel other than from the department of justice, with the cost of representation paid from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b), as determined by the cochairpersons, if the acts or allegations underlying the action are arguably within the scope of the employee’s duties. The cochairpersons shall approve all financial costs and terms of representation.

13.124(3)(b) (b) The cochairpersons of the joint committee on legislative organization, in their sole discretion, may obtain legal counsel other than from the department of justice, with the cost of representation paid from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b), as determined by the cochairpersons, in any action in which the legislature is a party or in which the interests of the legislature are affected, as determined by the cochairpersons. The cochairpersons shall approve all financial costs and terms of representation.

13.124 History History: 2017 a. 369.

13.124 Annotation This section provides a quick, streamlined basis for the legislature’s leadership to obtain counsel for the legislature in “any action.” By contrast, s. 16.74 allows each house of the legislature to obtain counsel as needed, irrespective of whether an action exists. Waity v. Lemahieu, 2022 WI 6, 400 Wis. 2d 356, 969 N.W.2d 263, 21-0802.

13.125 13.125 Chaplains. The officiating chaplain of the senate and assembly shall be paid such amount as may be established by each house for each day of service from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b). Payment shall be made on certification by the chief clerk of the senate or of the assembly, respectively, showing the amount to which each chaplain is entitled.

13.125 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1983 a. 27 s. 2202 (33); 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25.

13.127 13.127 Advice and consent of the senate. Any individual nominated by the governor or another state officer or agency, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, to any office or position may not hold the office or position, be nominated again for the office or position, or perform any duties of the office or position during the legislative session biennium if the individual’s confirmation for the office or position is rejected by the senate.

13.127 History History: 2017 a. 369.

13.13 13.13 Speaker; deputy speaker; president of senate.

13.13(1) (1) Speaker. The assembly shall elect by roll call vote one of its members as speaker who shall hold office during the term for which elected to the assembly unless separated by death, resignation or removal by a majority of the total present membership of the assembly. If the office is permanently vacated during the session, a successor shall be chosen.

13.13(2) (2) Deputy speaker. The assembly shall elect a deputy speaker who shall hold office for the term for which elected to the assembly unless separated by death, resignation or removal.

13.13(3) (3) President of senate. The senate shall elect a president at the commencement of each regular session. The president shall hold office until the commencement of the next succeeding regular session unless separated by death, resignation or removal.

13.13 History History: 1979 c. 34, 110, 355.

13.14 13.14 Miscellaneous expenses.

13.14(2) (2) Floral pieces. The senate and assembly may procure floral pieces for deceased or ill members of the legislature and state officers who, in the judgment of the presiding officer and chief clerk, have been identified with the legislative process. Such expenses shall be by voucher, signed by the presiding officer or chief clerk of the respective house, and shall be drawn on the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b).

13.14(3) (3) Travel; legislative personnel. The actual and necessary expenses of legislative policy research personnel, assistants to legislators, and research staff assigned to legislative committees incident to attending meetings outside the state capital shall be reimbursed from the appropriation under s. 20.765 (1) (a) or (b).

13.14 History History: 1975 c. 39 ss. 9, 734; 1977 c. 272 s. 98; 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 27 s. 2202 (33); 1993 a. 16; 2001 a. 19; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25.

13.15 13.15 Chief clerks.

13.15(1) (1) Election. Each house, at the commencement of each regular session, shall elect a chief clerk who shall perform all duties as by custom appertain to the office and all duties imposed by law or by the rules. In the absence of the chief clerk, the duties shall be performed by one of the clerks acting under the chief clerk, appointed by the chief clerk in writing.

13.15(2) (2) Salary and expenses. The chief clerk of the senate and of the assembly shall each receive:

13.15(2)(a) (a) The salary established in implementation of s. 13.20 (2).

13.15(2)(b) (b) For travel to and from the state capitol and for expenses incurred for food and lodging, necessitated by the establishment of a temporary residence in Madison during any session of the legislature, the same reimbursement as is provided members of the legislature by ss. 13.08 (2) and 13.123 (1).

13.15(2)(c) (c) In the period when the legislature is not in session, their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Such expenses shall be reimbursed by voucher signed by the presiding officer of the respective house.

13.15(2)(d) (d) For attendance at conferences and other official meetings approved by the president for the senate or the speaker for the assembly, their actual and necessary expenses.

13.15 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1985 a. 135.

13.16 13.16 Chief clerks’ duties. The chief clerk of each house shall be personally responsible for the safekeeping of every bill, memorial, joint resolution or other document or paper pertaining to legislation, received personally or through a deputy or assistant from any member, committee or officer of the legislature or of either house thereof. The chief clerk shall keep a full record of them and shall enter in the record the disposition made of them. The chief clerks, at the close of each session shall deposit for safekeeping in the office of the secretary of state all books, bills, documents and papers in the possession of the legislature, correctly labeled. The chief clerk of the house in which a joint resolution or resolution originates shall deposit a copy of the resolution or joint resolution in the office of the secretary of state immediately upon its adoption by the legislature, enrollment and signing.

13.16 History History: 1983 a. 36 s. 96 (2); 1985 a. 135.

13.17 13.17 Journals. A journal of the senate and assembly shall be prepared under the direction of the chief clerks of the respective houses. When completed, each journal shall be printed as provided by law. The chief clerk of each house shall certify one copy of such journal to the secretary of state for deposit. The printed journals shall be the official record of each house of the legislature.

13.172 13.172 State agency reports.

13.172(1) (1) In this section, “agency” means an office, department, agency, institution of higher education, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, that is entitled to expend moneys appropriated by law, including the legislature and the courts, and any authority created in subch. II of ch. 114 or in ch. 231, 233, 234, 238, or 279.

13.172(2) (2) Notwithstanding any other law, any agency which is required, by statute, to submit a report to the legislature shall submit the report to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature. The chief clerks shall publish notice of receipt of the report in the journals of the respective houses. The chief clerks shall also periodically provide a list of the agency reports received to the members of the respective houses. Members may obtain copies of the reports by checking those reports on the list that they wish to receive and returning the list to the chief clerk. The speaker of the assembly or the president of the senate may direct the chief clerk to distribute copies of any of the reports to all members of the house, specified standing committees in that house or other persons.

13.172(3) (3) Notwithstanding any other law, any agency which is required, by statute, to submit a report to the speaker of the assembly or the president of the senate; to appropriate standing committees of the legislature, as determined by the speaker or president; to any specified standing committee except the joint committee on finance; to standing committees with specified subject matter jurisdiction; or to standing committees with specified subject matter jurisdiction, as determined by the speaker or president, shall submit the report to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature. The chief clerks shall publish notice of receipt of the report in the journals of the respective houses. The chief clerks of the assembly and the senate shall also notify the speaker and president, respectively, that the report has been received and shall distribute the report to standing committees in that house or other persons, as directed by the speaker or president.

13.172 History History: 1983 a. 524; 1987 a. 399; 1995 a. 27; 2005 a. 74, 335; 2007 a. 20, 97; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 7, 10; 2013 a. 20.

13.175 13.175 Referenda. Every proposal for legislation which is to be submitted to the voters for their approval or for an expression of their opinion including, without limitation because of enumeration, proposed constitutional amendments, advisory referenda, and legislation designed to become effective only after ratification by the voters shall include a complete statement of the referendum question upon which the voters shall be requested to vote in the form prescribed under s. 5.64 (2). No such proposal shall be passed by either house of the legislature unless it contains the precise wording of the referendum question which is to be submitted to the voters for their approval, expression of opinion or ratification.

13.175 History History: 1985 a. 304.

13.175 Cross-reference Cross-reference: Section 10.01 (2) (c) provides that on a state referendum an explanatory statement of the effect of a “Yes” or “No” vote is to be prepared by the attorney general.

13.175 Annotation It is within discretion of the legislature to submit several distinct propositions to the electorate as one constitutional amendment if they relate to the same subject matter and are designed to accomplish one general purpose. Milwaukee Alliance v. Elections Board, 106 Wis. 2d 593, 317 N.W.2d 420 (1982).

13.176 13.176 Article V convention.

13.176(1) (1) In this section:

13.176(1)(a) (a) “Alternate delegate” means an individual appointed under sub. (2) (b) to fill a vacancy in the delegation appointed under sub. (2) (a).

13.176(1)(b) (b) “Article V application” means a joint resolution, as authorized under article V of the U.S. Constitution, adopted by both houses of the Wisconsin legislature applying to Congress for an article V convention for proposing amendments.

13.176(1)(c) (c) “Article V convention” means a convention called by Congress upon application of the legislatures of at least two-thirds of the states for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution, as authorized by article V of the U.S. Constitution.

13.176(1)(d) (d) “Delegate” means an individual appointed under sub. (2) (a) to represent the state of Wisconsin at an article V convention.

13.176(1)(e) (e) “Unauthorized amendment” means a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that is outside the scope of the subject matter of the article V application.