Chapter 134

134.49(1)(a)2. 2. A contract for the lease or purchase of real property.

134.49(1)(a)3. 3. A contract for the lease of a vehicle for which a certificate of title has been issued under ch. 342.

134.49(1)(a)4. 4. A contract for the lease of medical equipment.

134.49(1)(a)5. 5. A contract derived from a tariff issued by an energy utility, as defined in s. 196.027 (1) (c).

134.49(1)(a)6. 6. A contract for the lease of equipment that is for personal, family, or household purposes.

134.49(1)(a)7. 7. A contract for the purchase of services that are for personal, family, or household purposes.

134.49(1)(a)8. 8. A contract for the lease or purchase of access service, as defined in s. 196.01 (1b).

134.49(1)(a)9. 9. An interconnection agreement, as defined in s. 196.01 (3b), or a contract or agreement offered by a telecommunications utility, as defined in s. 196.01 (10), to meet obligations imposed on the telecommunications utility under 47 USC 151 to 276.

134.49(1)(a)10. 10. A contract for the lease or purchase of telecommunications service, as defined in s. 196.01 (9m), including commercial mobile service, as defined in s. 196.01 (2i), if the contract is derived from a tariff issued by a telecommunications provider, as defined in s. 196.01 (8p), or if the contract permits the lessee or purchaser to terminate the contract after an automatic renewal by giving written notice, permits the termination to take effect not more than one month after receipt of the written notice, and permits a termination without liability for fees or penalties other than a payment for services or equipment used during the period before the termination takes effect, if the amount of the payment is one of the following:

134.49(1)(a)10.a. a. The amount of the periodic payment due under the contract multiplied by the number of periods during which the services or equipment are provided before the termination takes effect.

134.49(1)(a)10.b. b. If the contract does not provide for periodic payments, a portion of the amount due under the contract that is proportional to the portion of the renewed contract term that elapsed before the termination takes effect.

134.49(1)(a)11. 11. A contract that permits a customer to terminate an automatically renewed or extended contract period by giving the seller notice of the customer’s intention to terminate the contract period, if the contract does not require the customer to give notice to the seller more than one month before the date of the customer’s intended termination.

134.49(1)(a)12. 12. A contract to which a federal, state, or local government entity is a party.

134.49(1)(a)13. 13. A contract between a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 and a member of the cooperative, or a contract under which a cooperative association organized under ch. 185 is a seller.

134.49(1)(a)14. 14. A contract for the lease, maintenance, repair, service, or inspection of elevator or escalator systems, including mechanical and electrical components of such systems when built into real property.

134.49(1)(a)15. 15. A contract for the supply of industrial, medical, or other gases in any form, including for the lease, service, or use of cylinders, tanks, hard goods, or other related equipment involved in supplying the gases.

134.49(1)(b) (b) “Customer” means a person who conducts business in this state and who is the lessee under a business contract that is entered into for the lease of business equipment or the purchaser under a business contract that is entered into for the purchase of business services.

134.49(1)(c) (c) “Seller” means the provider of a business service or the lessor of business equipment under a business contract.

134.49(2) (2) Disclosure required.

134.49(2)(a) (a) Subject to par. (d), if a business contract that is entered into, modified, or renewed after May 1, 2011, provides that the contract will be automatically renewed or extended for an additional period unless the customer declines renewal or extension, and the duration of the additional period is more than one month, the seller shall do one of the following:

134.49(2)(a)1. 1. At the time the customer enters into the contract, present to the customer a copy of a form including the disclosures required under par. (b) and obtain the customer’s signature on the form.

134.49(2)(a)2. 2. Include the disclosures required under par. (b) in the contract in a conspicuous manner and obtain the customer’s initials on the contract on a page on which a disclosure appears.

134.49(2)(b) (b) A disclosure required under par. (a) shall contain all of the following:

134.49(2)(b)1. 1. A statement that the contract will be renewed or extended unless the customer declines renewal or extension.

134.49(2)(b)2. 2. A statement indicating the duration of the additional contract period that would result from an automatic renewal or extension period.

134.49(2)(b)3. 3. A statement indicating whether an increase in charges to the customer will apply upon an automatic renewal or extension.

134.49(2)(b)4. 4. A description of action the customer must take to decline renewal or extension.

134.49(2)(b)5. 5. The date of the deadline for the customer to decline renewal or extension.

134.49(2)(c) (c) If a seller fails to comply with par. (a), an automatic renewal or extension provision in the contract is not enforceable, and the contract terminates at the end of the current contract term.

134.49(2)(d) (d) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a contract in effect on May 1, 2011, or to subsequent renewals of such a contract.

134.49(3) (3) Notice required. If a business contract that has an initial term of more than one year provides that the contract will be automatically renewed or extended for an additional term of more than one year, unless the customer declines renewal or extension, and the deadline for the customer to decline renewal or extension of the contract is more than 60 days after May 1, 2011, the provision is not enforceable against the customer and the contract will terminate at the end of the current contract term unless the seller provides to the customer, at least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the deadline for the customer to decline renewal or extension, a written notice containing all of the following:

134.49(3)(a) (a) A statement that the contract will be renewed or extended unless the customer declines renewal or extension.

134.49(3)(b) (b) The deadline for the customer to decline renewal or extension.

134.49(3)(c) (c) A description of any increase in charges to the customer that will apply after renewal or extension.

134.49(3)(d) (d) A description of action that the customer must take to decline extension or renewal.

134.49(4) (4) Manner of giving notice. A seller or a person acting on behalf of the seller shall give the written notice required under sub. (3) by any of the following methods:

134.49(4)(a) (a) By mailing a copy of the notice by regular U.S. mail to the customer at the customer’s last-known business address, unless the contract requires the customer to notify the seller by certified mail of the customer’s intent to cancel.

134.49(4)(b) (b) By mailing a copy of the notice by registered or certified mail to the customer at the customer’s last-known business address.

134.49(4)(c) (c) By giving a copy of the notice personally to an owner, officer, director, or managing agent of the customer’s business.

134.49(4)(d) (d) By including the notice on the first page of a monthly invoice sent to the customer. Notice under this paragraph shall be prominently displayed in bold face type and in a type size no smaller than 12-point.

134.49(4)(e) (e) By sending a facsimile to the customer to the customer’s last-known facsimile number, if the contract permits the customer to use this method to notify the seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of the contract.

134.49(4)(f) (f) By sending an electronic mail message to the customer at the customer’s last-known electronic mail address, if the contract permits the customer to use this method to notify the seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of the contract.

134.49(4)(g) (g) By sending the notice via a recognized overnight courier service, if the contract permits the customer to use this method to notify the seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of the contract.

134.49(5) (5) Unenforceable terms. No business contract between a seller and a customer that is entered into, modified, or renewed after May 1, 2011, may require that the customer permit the seller to match any offer the customer receives from or makes to another seller for services to be provided after the end of the stated term of the contract or renewal period of the contract. A provision in a business contract that violates this subsection is void and unenforceable.

134.49(6) (6) Remedies.

134.49(6)(a) (a) Any of the following customers may bring an action or counterclaim for damages against a seller:

134.49(6)(a)1. 1. A customer who has notified a seller that the customer declines renewal or extension of a business contract to which sub. (3) applies, if the seller has failed to give notice as required under subs. (3) and (4) and the seller has refused to terminate the contract as requested by the customer.

134.49(6)(a)2. 2. A customer against whom a seller has attempted to enforce a provision in a business contract that is unenforceable under sub. (5).

134.49(6)(am) (am) Notwithstanding par. (a) 1., if a seller who fails to give to a customer a notice required under sub. (3) subsequently receives notice that the customer declines renewal or extension and agrees to terminate the contract as of the date the customer notified the seller, the customer is responsible for charges incurred by the customer under the contract before the date on which the customer notified the seller and the customer may not bring an action against the seller based on the seller’s failure to provide the required notice, unless the seller’s failure to provide the required notice was willful or malicious.

134.49(6)(b) (b) A customer who prevails in an action or counterclaim under par. (a) is entitled to damages in either of the following amounts:

134.49(6)(b)1. 1. An amount that equals twice the amount of the damages incurred by the customer.

134.49(6)(b)2. 2. An amount that equals twice the amount of the periodic payment specified in the contract or $1,000, whichever is less.

134.49(6)(c) (c) Notwithstanding the limitations in s. 814.04 (1), the court shall award a customer who prevails in an action or counterclaim under this subsection costs, including reasonable attorney fees.

134.49(6)(d) (d) A seller is not liable in an action or counterclaim under this subsection if the court finds either of the following:

134.49(6)(d)1. 1. All of the following:

134.49(6)(d)1.a. a. The seller has established and implemented written procedures for complying with this section.

134.49(6)(d)1.b. b. The seller’s failure to comply with subs. (3) and (4), or the seller’s attempt to enforce a provision that is void and unenforceable under sub. (5), was not willful or malicious.

134.49(6)(d)1.c. c. The seller has refunded any amounts paid by the customer after the date of the renewal or extension until the date on which the business contract is terminated.

134.49(6)(d)2. 2. The customer requested, in writing, renewal or extension of the contract that is the basis for the customer’s action or counterclaim against the seller, and the customer was aware of the terms under which the contract would be renewed or extended.

134.49 History History: 2009 a. 192; 2019 a. 135.

134.50 134.50 Poultry dealing regulations.

134.50(1) (1) It is unlawful for any poultry dealer to purchase any live or dead poultry without registering annually with the county clerk.

134.50(2) (2) Every poultry dealer shall keep a record of all purchases of poultry made by the poultry dealer showing in detail the place and date of purchase and the name and address of the person from whom the purchase was made, together with a general description of the kind of poultry purchased. Such record shall be kept in permanent form and be open to inspection at all reasonable times to any district attorney, assistant district attorney, sheriff, deputy sheriff or any police officer.

134.50(3) (3) Any poultry dealer or his or her servant or agent violating any of the provisions of this section shall, upon the first conviction, be punished by a fine of from $10 to $100. Upon a 2nd or subsequent conviction, a poultry dealer or his or her servant or agent shall be punished by a fine of from $25 to $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

134.50(4) (4) Any person selling poultry to a poultry dealer who gives falsely his name or address to such dealer, his agent or servant, shall be imprisoned in the county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than one year.

134.50 History History: 1993 a. 482.

134.52 134.52 Shipment of chickens.

134.52(1) (1) It shall be unlawful for any person, or the person’s agent or servant, to ship, or for any common carrier or the agent or servant of such common carrier to allow, aid, or abet in the shipment of chickens confined in coops unless such coops are at least 13 inches in height on the inside and are covered at the top by wires or slats not more than one inch apart or by wire screening with meshes of not more than one inch.

134.52(2) (2) It shall be unlawful for any person or the person’s agent or servant or for any common carrier or the agent or servant of such common carrier to so crowd or congest or to allow, aid or abet in the crowding or congesting of chickens within any coop in any shipment as to impair or endanger the well-being of such chickens during the course of transportation thereof; and any such crowding or congesting shall be deemed cruelty.

134.52(3) (3) Whenever any humane officer or any peace officer in this state ascertains or observes any shipment of chickens in a crowded or congested condition, such officer may take or cause to be taken such steps as to give immediate relief.

134.52(4) (4) Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $50, or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days.

134.52 History History: 1993 a. 482.

134.53 134.53 Transportation and sale of cattle.

134.53(1) (1) No person shall transport cattle on any highway unless accompanied by shipping documents setting forth the number of cattle being moved, a description of the cattle, including brand, registry or other identification numbers if any, name and address of the owner, and point of origin and destination. The shipping document may consist of a statement signed by the owner setting forth the above information.

134.53(2) (2) Cattle being transported on highways and all shipping documents and other records pertaining to such animals shall be subject to inspection by any police officer. Such officers may stop or intercept any vehicle used or suspected of being used for the transportation of cattle and may seize or detain any shipment of cattle not accompanied by shipping documents containing information as required under sub. (1), or accompanied by shipping documents which may be false, until such time as satisfactory evidence of ownership of the cattle is obtained.

134.53(3) (3) No person shall purchase or receive for sale or shipment any cattle not accompanied by shipping documents required under sub. (1). Copies of such documents shall be retained for a period of 6 months following date of purchase or receipt of the cattle and shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by any police officer.

134.53(4) (4) Any person who transports cattle without shipping documents containing information required under sub. (1), or executes, furnishes or issues any false document pertaining to the ownership or shipment of cattle, or who violates this section in any other manner shall be fined not more than $500, or be imprisoned not more than 3 months, or both.

134.53(5) (5) Subsection (1) does not apply to cattle being transported between farms owned, rented or leased by the owner of the cattle when ownership of cattle does not change.

134.53(6) (6) Subsection (1) does not apply to cattle being transported to market by the owner of the cattle.

134.53 History History: 1973 c. 239.

134.57 134.57 Detectives, settlement with employees. Any employer and any person employed to detect dishonesty on the part of employees, or fiduciary agents, on a commission basis or under a contract for a percentage of the amount recovered through or by reason of the detective work done by such person, shall submit the facts of the case and the settlement made with such employee or fiduciary agent to the circuit judge of the county wherein the dishonest act was committed, for approval or further proceedings, and the employee shall be notified of such hearing and shall have a right to be heard. Any such person or employer who shall not so submit the facts and settlement as made to such circuit judge for approval or further proceedings, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500, or imprisoned in the county jail not less than 3 months nor more than one year.

134.58 134.58 Use of unauthorized persons as officers. Any person who, individually, in concert with another or as agent or officer of any firm, joint-stock company or corporation, uses, employs, aids or assists in employing any body of armed persons to act as militia, police or peace officers for the protection of persons or property or for the suppression of strikes, not being authorized by the laws of this state to so act, is guilty of a Class I felony.

134.58 History History: 1975 c. 94; 1997 a. 283; 2001 a. 109.

134.59 134.59 Felons, burglar alarm installation.

134.59(1) (1) No person may intentionally hire as a burglar alarm installer a felon who has not been pardoned. Any person engaged in the business of installing burglar alarms may request the department of justice to do a criminal history search on any person whom that person hires or proposes to hire as a burglar alarm installer.

134.59(2) (2) No person engaged in the business of installing burglar alarms may intentionally allow a felon who has not been pardoned to have access to individual burglar alarm installation records.

134.59(3) (3) Any person who violates sub. (1) or (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.

134.59 History History: 1991 a. 216.

134.60 134.60 Cutting or transportation of evergreens. No person may cut for sale in its natural condition and untrimmed, with or without roots, any evergreen or coniferous tree, branch, bough, bush, sapling or shrub, from the lands of another without the written consent of the owner, whether such land is publicly or privately owned. The written consent shall contain the legal description of the land where the tree, branch, bough, bush, sapling or shrub was cut, as well as the name of the legal owner. The written consent or a certified copy of the consent shall be carried by every person in charge of the cutting or removing of the trees, branches, boughs, bushes, saplings or shrubs, and shall be exhibited to any officer of the law, forest ranger, forest patrol officer, conservation warden, or other officer of the department of natural resources at the officer’s request at any time. The officer may inspect the trees, branches, boughs, bushes, saplings or shrubs when being transported in any vehicle or other means of conveyance and may investigate to determine whether or not this section has been complied with. The officer may stop any vehicle or means of conveyance found carrying any trees, branches, boughs, bushes, saplings or shrubs upon any public highway of this state for the purpose of making such inspection and investigation, and may seize and hold, subject to the order of the court, any such trees, bushes, saplings or shrubs found being cut, removed or transported in violation of this section. No person may ship or transport any such trees, bushes, saplings or shrubs outside the county where they were cut unless the person attaches to the outside of each package, box, bale, truckload or carload shipped a tag or label on which appears the person’s name and address. No common carrier or truck hauler may receive for shipment or transportation any such trees, bushes, saplings or shrubs unless the tag or label is attached. Any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $100. Any person who signs any such written consent or certified copy under this section who is not authorized to do so, and any person who lends or transfers or offers to lend or transfer any such written consent or certified copy to another person who is not entitled to use it, and any person not entitled to use any such written consent or certified copy, or who borrows, receives or solicits from another any such written consent or certified copy thereof shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.