Chapter 14

14.035 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Game 3, Wis. adm. code.

14.035 Annotation Committing the state to policy choices negotiated in compacts constitutes a legislative function. Because the purpose of this section is ascertainable, and in most situations there are safeguards available to alter the policy choices made by the governor, the delegation of power to the governor is not an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers doctrine. However, the legislature did not delegate to the governor the authority to agree to a compact of indefinite duration, which circumvents the procedural safeguards that sustain the legislature’s ability to delegate that power in the first place: the power to curtail or reclaim the delegated power by future legislative action. Panzer v. Doyle, 2004 WI 52, 271 Wis. 2d 295, 680 N.W.2d 666, 03-0910.

14.035 Annotation The governor acted contrary to the public policy embodied in state law and therefore acted without authority by agreeing to a compact allowing the conduct of games prohibited by article IV, section 24, of the Wisconsin Constitution and criminal statutes. Panzer v. Doyle, 2004 WI 52, 271 Wis. 2d 295, 680 N.W.2d 666, 03-0910.

14.035 Annotation The governor exceeded the governor’s authority by agreeing in a compact to waive the state’s sovereign immunity, an act that the governor had no inherent or delegated power to undertake. Panzer v. Doyle, 2004 WI 52, 271 Wis. 2d 295, 680 N.W.2d 666, 03-0910.

14.035 Annotation Panzer v. Doyle: Wisconsin Constitutional Law Deals the Governor a New Hand. Wawrzyn. 89 MLR 221 (2005).

14.04 14.04 Reports to legislature. At the commencement of each regular session of the legislature, the governor shall communicate to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), the reports of all state officers, commissions, boards, and departments required by law to report to the governor, including the reports of state officers whose terms of office have expired covering the transactions in their respective offices from June 30 in the last year of their terms, and, at the time of communicating said reports, shall render to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), a statement of all expenditures made by the governor out of any contingent fund appropriated for the contingent expenses of the office of the governor. Biennially, the governor shall submit to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature, for distribution to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), a report on the condition of each of the public institutions of this state which are supported in whole or in part by appropriations by the state with such recommendations as deemed proper.

14.04 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1649; 1977 c. 273; 1987 a. 186.

14.05 14.05 Inspection and investigation of institutions. The governor may visit and inspect at any time any public institution of this state which is supported in whole or in part by appropriations by the state; and, in the case of state institutions, the governor may also cause an investigation to be made of any thereof, or of any matter connected with or of any employee in any such institution, and may appoint a suitable person therefor, and shall require a written report thereof. Such investigator shall be paid not to exceed $6.50 a day for each day actually and necessarily required in performing the duties imposed, and shall be reimbursed all actual expenses thereby incurred. The cost of any such investigation shall be charged to the appropriation for the state institution under investigation.

14.05 History History: 1991 a. 316.

14.06 14.06 Gifts, grants and bequests. The governor may accept gifts, grants and bequests, and may expend the proceeds to carry out the purposes for which received.

14.06 History History: 1999 a. 9.

14.07 14.07 Records and documents; executive privy seal.

14.07(1) (1) The private secretary to the governor, for purposes of authentication, is custodian of the public records and documents in the office of the governor.

14.07(2) (2) The executive privy seal, a written description of which is deposited in the office of the secretary of state, is the seal of the private secretary to the governor, with which all the private secretary’s official certificates shall be authenticated.

14.07 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1649; 1991 a. 316.

14.08 14.08 Deposit of acts; notice. The governor shall deposit each legislative act enacted by the governor’s approval in the office of the secretary of state under s. 35.095 (2) (b), and shall so inform the house of origin.

14.08 History History: 1981 c. 372.

14.09 14.09 Executive orders. The governor shall cause all executive orders issued to be deposited in the office of the secretary of state.

14.09 History History: 1975 c. 252, 421.

14.09 Annotation Executive Orders of the Wisconsin Governor. King. 1980 WLR 333.

14.11 14.11 Legal actions and proceedings.

14.11(1) (1) State property; legal protection of. The governor, whenever in the governor’s opinion the rights, interests or property of the state have been or are liable to be injuriously affected, may require the attorney general to institute and prosecute any proper action or proceeding for the redress or prevention thereof; and whenever the governor receives notice of any action or proceeding between other parties by which the rights, interests or property of the state are liable to be injuriously affected, the governor shall inform the attorney general thereof and require the attorney general to take such steps as may be necessary to protect such rights, interests, or property.

14.11(2) (2) Employment of special counsel.

14.11(2)(a) (a) The governor, if in the governor’s opinion the public interest requires such action, may employ special counsel in the following cases:

14.11(2)(a)1. 1. To assist the attorney general in any action or proceeding;

14.11(2)(a)2. 2. To act instead of the attorney general in any action or proceeding, if the attorney general is in any way interested adversely to the state;

14.11(2)(a)3. 3. To defend any action instituted by the attorney general against any officer of the state;

14.11(2)(a)4. 4. To institute and prosecute an action or proceeding which the attorney general, by reason of the attorney general’s opinion as to the validity of any law, or for any other reason, deems it the duty of the attorney general to defend rather than prosecute.

14.11(2)(b) (b) When special counsel is employed, a contract in writing shall be entered into between the state and such counsel, in which shall be fixed the compensation to be paid such counsel by the state. If the compensation is being determined on a contingent fee basis, the contract is subject to s. 20.9305. The contract shall be executed in behalf of the state by the governor, and shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. Such compensation shall be charged to the special counsel appropriation in s. 20.505 (1) (d).

14.11(2)(c) (c) Upon employment of special counsel, the governor shall certify the maximum amount provided in the employment contract to the secretary of administration, and direct the department to pay special counsel bills related to that case within the certified figure.

14.11 History History: 1971 c. 164; 1981 c. 20 s. 2202 (17) (a); 1985 a. 332 s. 253; 1991 a. 316; 2013 a. 20, 105, 151.

14.12 14.12 Execution of releases and satisfactions. Unless otherwise provided by law, the governor and attorney general may release or satisfy any lien or other obligation in favor of the state, upon payment by the obligor of the full amount due thereon or of the amount provided in any compromise settlement duly entered into and approved as provided by law. When such release or satisfaction is required to be under seal, the secretary of state shall affix the great seal of the state and authenticate the signatures of said officers.

14.13 14.13 Land claims against United States; receipt of payment. The governor may receive from the U.S. treasury department, from time to time, as the governor sees fit to draw for the same, the 5 percent of the net proceeds of sales of the public lands to which this state is or shall be entitled, pursuant to the act of congress approved August 6, 1846, and execute the proper vouchers therefor. When received the governor shall pay the same into the state treasury to the credit of the school fund.

14.13 History History: 1991 a. 316.

14.14 14.14 Patents to railroad lands. Whenever the governor shall have executed and delivered to any railway or other corporation a patent from this state of any land inuring to such corporation under or through any grant from the United States and the laws of this state, and subsequent to the delivery of any such patent the United States shall patent or certify said land or any part thereof to this state as inuring under such grant, the governor may in the governor’s discretion execute and deliver to such corporation a new patent of said land by way of further assurance of title to the same, reciting the fact of the execution and delivery of said prior patent and the subsequent issue by the United States of a patent or certified list of the said land, and that the said new patent is made by virtue of this section and for the purposes aforesaid; and the additional patent shall be entitled to the same force and effect as a conveyance and as evidence as other state patents have by law.

14.14 History History: 1991 a. 316.

14.15 14.15 Rewards. Whenever any person convicted of or charged with any felony escapes, or whenever any heinous crime has been committed, the governor may offer a reward of not to exceed $500 for the apprehension and delivery of such person or the conviction of the perpetrator of such crime. If such reward is claimed, whether by one or more persons, the governor shall finally determine to whom the same shall be paid, and, if to more than one person what portion to each, and shall certify the determination to the secretary of state. No such offer of a reward by the governor shall impose any actionable liability on the state.

14.15 History History: 1991 a. 316.

14.16 14.16 Holiday proclamations.

14.16(1) (1) Arbor and Bird Day. The governor, by proclamation, may set apart one day each year to be designated as Arbor and Bird Day, and may request its observance by all schools, colleges and other institutions by the planting of trees, the adornment of school and public grounds and by suitable exercises having for their object the advancement of the study of arboriculture, the promotion of a spirit of protection to birds and trees and the cultivation of an appreciative sentiment concerning them.

14.16(2) (2) Citizenship Day. The governor may also set aside, by proclamation, the 3rd Sunday in May in each year to be designated as Citizenship Day, and shall request its observance by all circuit court judges, county boards, municipalities, colleges and other institutions, by suitable exercises for all those persons who have recently become enfranchised either by naturalization or by reaching their majority on the necessity of exercising responsible, vigilant and intelligent citizenship to safeguard and maintain our inalienable American liberties, freedom of person, stability, strength, endurance of our democratic institutions, ideals and leadership.

14.16(3) (3) Labor Day. The governor may also set apart, by proclamation, one day in each year to be observed as Labor Day.

14.16(4) (4) Armistice Day. The governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling attention to the fact that November 11 is the anniversary of Armistice Day, and requesting the people throughout the state to observe by appropriate exercises the hour at which the armistice following World War I was concluded.

14.16(5) (5) Mother’s Day. The governor may annually proclaim the 2nd Sunday in May as Mother’s Day and urge the people and organizations to display the American flag as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our state and as a symbol of a united effort to inspire better homes and closer union between the state, its homes and its sons and daughters.

14.16(6) (6) Gold Star Mother’s Day. The governor may annually proclaim the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day and call upon the people and organizations to display the American flag and hold appropriate meetings in their homes, churches and other suitable places as a public expression of love, sorrow and reverence for the gold star mothers of our state.

14.16(7) (7) American History Month. To emphasize the spirit of America and Americanism and to remind the citizens of this state of the history of our nation and its free institutions, the month of February in each year is designated “American History Month” and the governor is directed to annually issue a suitable proclamation for the observance thereof.

14.16(8) (8) Wonderful Wisconsin Week. To emphasize this state’s great assets which make it such a desirable place to live and work, to give all citizens a greater knowledge and appreciation of this state and to salute every important activity of the state, from agriculture to industry to tourism, from business to labor to recreation and from education to good government to the state’s varied products, the 3rd week in September of each year is designated “Wonderful Wisconsin Week”. The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “Wonderful Wisconsin Week”.

14.16(9) (9) Hire a Veteran Week. To recognize the contribution veterans have made to our society and the special needs of unemployed veterans and to encourage the hiring of unemployed veterans, the week of November that starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday and in which November 11 falls is designated “Hire a Veteran Week.” The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “Hire a Veteran Week” encouraging all employers to hire veterans.

14.16(9m) (9m) Veteran Recognition Week. To recognize the contribution and sacrifices veterans have made to our society, including those who have given their lives in service, the 7-day period that ends on November 11 is designated “Veteran Recognition Week.” The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “Veteran Recognition Week” encouraging all citizens to honor veterans during the week, emphasizing educational efforts directed at teaching students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans.

14.16(10) (10) Prisoners of War Remembrance Day. To recognize the sacrifices of those persons who suffered captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the U.S. armed forces, April 9 of each year is designated “Prisoners of War Remembrance Day.” The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “Prisoners of War Remembrance Day” and request that some portion of the day be used for solemn contemplation on the plight of members of the U.S. armed forces who have been held prisoners of war.

14.16(10m) (10m) POW-MIA Recognition Day. To recognize the sacrifices of those persons who suffered or suffer captivity in foreign countries while in active service with the U.S. armed forces or who are or were missing in action, the 3rd Friday of September of each year is designated “POW-MIA Recognition Day.” The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “POW-MIA Recognition Day” and request that some portion of the day be used for solemn contemplation on the plight of members of the U.S. armed forces who are or have been held prisoners of war and members of the U.S. armed forces who are or have been missing in action.

14.16(11) (11) Purple Heart Day. The governor shall annually proclaim August 7 as Purple Heart Day and urge the people and organizations of the state to display the American flag on that day as a public expression of the recognition of those individuals who have been wounded or killed in action preserving the freedoms that all United States citizens cherish.

14.16(12) (12) Aldo Leopold Weekend. The governor shall annually proclaim the first full weekend in March as Aldo Leopold Weekend to honor the author of A Sand County Almanac, an internationally respected scientist and conservationist who is widely considered the father of wildlife ecology.

14.16(12m) (12m) African American History and Cultural Heritage Month. The governor shall annually proclaim February as African American History and Cultural Heritage Month as a way to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of African Americans.

14.16(13) (13) Medal of honor day. The governor shall annually proclaim March 25 as Medal of Honor Day to celebrate and honor those members of the U.S. armed forces who have been awarded the Medal of Honor for their valor in action above and beyond the call of duty and to recognize their bravery, heroism, and sacrifice for the United States.

14.16(14) (14) Gulf war illnesses recognition day. The governor shall annually proclaim January 17 as Gulf War Illnesses Recognition Day as a public expression in recognition of the members of the U.S. armed forces who develop illnesses from exposure to Gulf War-related risk-substances. The governor shall include in the proclamation a request that part of the day be used for quiet contemplation to honor those brave members of the U.S. armed forces who suffer illnesses as the result of their patriotic service to our nation.

14.16(15) (15) Korean War Armistice Day. To recognize the Wisconsin armed forces members who courageously served during the Korean War, July 27, the date of the military armistice agreement that ended that war, is designated as the “Korean War Armistice Day.” The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “Korean War Armistice Day” and request that some portion of the day be used for solemn contemplation on the sacrifices that members of the U.S. armed forces made during that war, including the death of over 700 Wisconsin citizens.

14.16(16) (16) Vietnam Veterans Day. To recognize the 1,239 Wisconsin armed forces members who are listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and to express pride and gratitude to the veterans of that war, March 29 is designated as the “Vietnam Veterans Day.” The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “Vietnam Veterans Day” and request that some portion of the day be used to recall the Vietnam veterans’ accomplishments and to thank those veterans for their service during that war.

14.16(17) (17) Hmong-Lao veterans day. To recognize Southeast Asians, Americans, and their allies who served, suffered, sacrificed, or died in the Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War in the years 1961 to 1975 in support of the armed forces of the United States and in recognition of May 14, 1975, as the last day of airlift evacuation of officers and their families from the covert headquarters in Long Tieng, Laos, to the Nam Phong refugee camp in Thailand, May 14 is designated as the “Hmong-Lao Veterans Day.” The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of “Hmong-Lao Veterans Day,” ordering the flags at the state capitol building to be flown at half-staff, requesting that some portion of the day be used to recall the veterans’ accomplishments and to thank those veterans for their service during that war, and encouraging schools to discuss Hmong military service in support of the armed forces of the United States.

14.16 History History: 1971 c. 307; 1973 c. 140; 1979 c. 23; 1993 a. 255; 2001 a. 20, 99, 100, 105; 2003 a. 137, 147; 2005 a. 37, 254; 2007 a. 22; 2009 a. 35, 36, 144; 2021 a. 31.

14.165 14.165 Governor’s energy awards.

14.165(1) (1) Awards. The governor may issue awards to recognize outstanding accomplishments or efforts related to energy conservation or renewable energy systems. Awards may be made for all of the following:

14.165(1)(a) (a) Public and private sector activities.

14.165(1)(b) (b) New building design, building renovation or upgrading and maintaining existing equipment.

14.165(1)(c) (c) Demand-side management programs.

14.165(1)(d) (d) Contributions by engineers, architects and other professionals.

14.165(1)(e) (e) Industrial applications.

14.165(2) (2) Recommendations. The department of administration, department of safety and professional services, and public service commission shall make recommendations to the governor for awards under sub. (1).

14.165 History History: 1993 a. 414; 1995 a. 27 s. 9116 (5); 2011 a. 32.

14.165 Note NOTE: 1993 Wis. Act 414, which created this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.

14.17 14.17 Conferences of governors. The governor may attend and represent the state at all conferences of governors, and make such arrangements as deemed necessary for this state to bear its share of the expenses of such conferences. All expenses incurred under this section shall be charged to the proper appropriation for the office of the governor.

14.17 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1649; 1977 c. 273.

14.18 14.18 Assistance from department of children and families. The governor may enter into a cooperative arrangement with the department of children and families under which the department assists the governor in providing temporary assistance for needy families under 42 USC 601 et. seq.

14.18 History History: 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16 ss. 4045, 4060; 2007 a. 20.

14.19 14.19 Advocacy activities.

14.19(1) (1) The governor may authorize advocacy activities to be conducted in the office of the governor concerning problems of members of ethnic minority groups, women and the family.

14.19(3) (3) Advocacy activities may include investigation of complaints, service as an adviser or a mediator in resolving disputes or promotion of public education and planning to resolve problems.

14.19(4) (4) The governor shall appoint an employee of the office of the governor as the family literacy advocate to establish a statewide program to improve family literacy.

14.19 History History: 1979 c. 221; 1981 c. 20; 1995 a. 27.

14.24 14.24 State council on alcohol and other drug abuse. The state council on alcohol and other drug abuse shall:

14.24(1) (1) Provide leadership and coordination regarding alcohol and other drug abuse issues confronting the state.

14.24(2) (2) Meet at least once every 3 months.

14.24(3) (3) By June 30, 1994, and by June 30 every 4 years thereafter, develop a comprehensive state plan for alcohol and other drug abuse programs. The state plan shall include all of the following:

14.24(3)(a) (a) Goals, for the time period covered by the plan, for the state alcohol and other drug abuse services system.

14.24(3)(b) (b) To achieve the goals in par. (a), a delineation of objectives, which the council shall review annually and, if necessary, revise.

14.24(3)(c) (c) An analysis of how currently existing alcohol and other drug abuse programs will further the goals and objectives of the state plan and which programs should be created, revised or eliminated to achieve the goals and objectives of the state plan.

14.24(4) (4) Each biennium, after introduction into the legislature but prior to passage of the biennial state budget bill, review and make recommendations to the governor, the legislature and state agencies, as defined in s. 20.001 (1), regarding the plans, budgets and operations of all state alcohol and other drug abuse programs.

14.24(5) (5) Provide the legislature with a considered opinion under s. 13.098.

14.24(6) (6) Coordinate and review efforts and expenditures by state agencies to prevent and control alcohol and other drug abuse and make recommendations to the agencies that are consistent with policy priorities established in the state plan developed under sub. (3).