Chapter 15

15.223(1) (1) Division of equal rights. There is created in the department of workforce development a division of equal rights.

15.223 History History: 1995 a. 27 ss. 144, 9130 (4); 1997 a. 3, 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16.

15.225 15.225 Same; attached boards and commission.

15.225(2) (2) Employment relations commission. There is created an employment relations commission which is attached to the department of workforce development under s. 15.03, except the budget of the employment relations commission shall be transmitted by the department to the governor without change or modification by the department, unless agreed to by the employment relations commission.

15.225 History History: 1977 c. 29; 1995 a. 27 ss. 107 to 111, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1995 a. 221; 1997 a. 3; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25; 2013 a. 20 s. 47; 2015 a. 55.

15.227 15.227 Same; councils.

15.227(3) (3) Council on unemployment insurance. There is created in the department of workforce development a council on unemployment insurance appointed by the secretary of workforce development to consist of 5 representatives of employers and 5 representatives of employees appointed to serve for 6-year terms and a permanent classified employee of the department of workforce development who shall serve as nonvoting chairperson. In making appointments to the council, the secretary shall give due consideration to achieving balanced representation of the industrial, commercial, construction, nonprofit and public sectors of the state’s economy. One of the employer representatives shall be an owner of a small business or a representative of an association primarily composed of small businesses. In this subsection, “small business” means an independently owned and operated business which is not dominant in its field and which has had less than $2,000,000 in gross annual sales for each of the previous 2 calendar years or has 25 or fewer employees. A member vacates his or her office if the member loses the status upon which his or her appointment is based.

15.227(4) (4) Council on worker’s compensation. There is created in the department of workforce development a council on worker’s compensation appointed by the secretary of workforce development to consist of a designated employee of the department of workforce development as chairperson, 5 representatives of employers, and 5 representatives of employees. The secretary of workforce development shall also appoint 3 representatives of insurers authorized to do worker’s compensation insurance business in this state as nonvoting members of the council.

15.227(8) (8) Council on migrant labor. There is created in the department of workforce development a council on migrant labor. Nonlegislative members shall serve for staggered 3-year terms and shall include 6 representatives of employers of migrant workers and 6 representatives of migrant workers and their organizations. Two members of the senate and 2 members of the assembly shall be appointed to act as representatives of the public. Legislative members shall be appointed as are members of standing committees and shall be equally divided between the 2 major political parties.

15.227(11) (11) Self-insurers council. There is created in the department of workforce development a self-insurers council consisting of 5 members appointed by the secretary of workforce development for 3-year terms.

15.227(13) (13) Wisconsin apprenticeship council.

15.227(13)(a) (a) There is created in the department of workforce development a Wisconsin apprenticeship council consisting of all of the following:

15.227(13)(a)1. 1. Nine representatives of employers, appointed by the secretary of workforce development.

15.227(13)(a)2. 2. Nine representatives of employees, appointed by the secretary of workforce development.

15.227(13)(a)3. 3. One representative of the technical college system, appointed by the director of the technical college system.

15.227(13)(a)4. 4. One representative of the department of public instruction, appointed by the state superintendent of public instruction.

15.227(13)(a)5. 5. Two members who represent the public interest, appointed by the secretary of workforce development.

15.227(13)(a)6. 6. One permanent classified employee of the department of workforce development, appointed by the secretary of workforce development, who shall serve as nonvoting chairperson.

15.227(13)(b) (b) All members of the Wisconsin apprenticeship council shall be persons who are familiar with apprenticeable occupations.

15.227(15) (15) Agricultural education and workforce development council.

15.227(15)(a) (a) There is created in the department of workforce development an agricultural education and workforce development council consisting of the following members:

15.227(15)(a)1. 1. The secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)2. 2. The state superintendent of public instruction or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)3. 3. The secretary of workforce development or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)3m. 3m. The chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)4. 4. The secretary of natural resources or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)5. 5. The president of the University of Wisconsin System or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)6. 6. The director of the technical college system or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)7. 7. The dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison division of extension or his or her designee.

15.227(15)(a)8. 8. A member chosen jointly by the dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the dean of the College of Business, Industry, Life Science, and Agriculture of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and the dean of the College of Natural Resources of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to represent the colleges and school.

15.227(15)(a)8g. 8g. A technical college district director appointed by the director of the technical college system.

15.227(15)(a)8r. 8r. A technical college dean with authority over agricultural programs appointed by the director of the technical college system.

15.227(15)(a)9. 9. The chairpersons of one senate standing committee and one assembly standing committee concerned with education, appointed as are members of standing committees.

15.227(15)(a)10. 10. The chairpersons of one senate standing committee and one assembly standing committee concerned with agriculture, appointed as are members of standing committees.

15.227(15)(a)11. 11. A representative of the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators.

15.227(15)(a)12. 12. Two representatives of general agriculture.

15.227(15)(a)13. 13. Two representatives of agribusiness.

15.227(15)(a)14. 14. A representative of environmental stewardship interests.

15.227(15)(a)15. 15. A representative of businesses related to natural resources.

15.227(15)(a)16. 16. A representative of businesses related to plant agriculture.

15.227(15)(a)17. 17. A representative of landscaping, golf course, greenhouse, floral, and related businesses.

15.227(15)(a)18. 18. A representative of food product and food processing businesses.

15.227(15)(a)19. 19. A representative of businesses related to animal agriculture.

15.227(15)(a)20. 20. A representative of businesses related to renewable energy.

15.227(15)(a)21. 21. A representative of agricultural communication interests.

15.227(15)(a)22. 22. A representative of businesses providing engineering, mechanical, electronic, and power services relating to agriculture.

15.227(15)(a)23. 23. A representative of the board of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

15.227(15)(a)24. 24. A teacher who teaches classes in science, vocational technology, business, math, or a similar field.

15.227(15)(a)25. 25. A school guidance counselor.

15.227(15)(a)26. 26. A school board member.

15.227(15)(a)27. 27. A school district administrator.

15.227(15)(b) (b) A person who is authorized under par. (a) 1. to 7. to appoint a designee may only appoint a designee who is an employee or appointive officer of the person’s department or educational institution and who has sufficient authority to deploy department or system resources and directly influence department or educational institution decision making.

15.227(15)(c) (c) The secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection shall appoint members of the council under par. (a) 11. to 23. to serve for 3-year terms. A member under par. (a) 11. to 23. may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms on the council.

15.227(15)(cm) (cm) The superintendent of public instruction shall appoint members of the council under par. (a) 24. to 27. to serve for 3-year terms. A member under par. (a) 24. to 27. may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms on the council.

15.227 History History: 1971 c. 271; 1975 c. 147 s. 54; 1975 c. 404, 405; 1977 c. 17, 29, 325; 1979 c. 102, 189; 1979 c. 221 ss. 45, 46m; 1981 c. 237, 341; 1983 a. 122, 388; 1985 a. 332; 1987 a. 27, 399; 1989 a. 31, 64; 1991 a. 39, 269, 295; 1993 a. 126, 399; 1995 a. 27 ss. 152 to 165, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1995 a. 225; 1997 a. 3, 27, 39; 1999 a. 9, 14; 2001 a. 37; 2009 a. 291; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59 s. 35; 2023 a. 152.

15.25 15.25 Department of justice; creation. There is created a department of justice under the direction and supervision of the attorney general.

15.253 15.253 Same; specified divisions.

15.253(2) (2) Division of criminal investigation. There is created in the department of justice a division of criminal investigation.

15.253(3) (3) Office of school safety. There is created an office of school safety. The director of the office shall be appointed by the attorney general.

15.253 History History: 1979 c. 34 s. 39; 1983 a. 192; 1985 a. 29; 1989 a. 122; 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2017 a. 143.

15.255 15.255 Same; attached boards.

15.255(1) (1) Law enforcement standards board. There is created a law enforcement standards board which is attached to the department of justice under s. 15.03.

15.255(1)(a) (a) The board shall be composed of 15 members as follows:

15.255(1)(a)1. 1. Seven representatives of local law enforcement in this state, at least one of whom shall be a sheriff and at least one of whom shall be a chief of police.

15.255(1)(a)2. 2. One district attorney holding office in this state.

15.255(1)(a)3. 3. Two representatives of local government in this state who occupy executive or legislative posts.

15.255(1)(a)4. 4. One public member, not employed in law enforcement, who is a citizen of this state.

15.255(1)(a)5. 5. The secretary of transportation or the secretary’s designee.

15.255(1)(a)6. 6. The attorney general or a member of the attorney general’s staff designated by the attorney general.

15.255(1)(a)8. 8. The secretary of natural resources or the secretary’s designee.

15.255(1)(a)9. 9. The special agent in charge of the Milwaukee office of the federal bureau of investigation, or a member of the special agent’s staff designated by the special agent, who shall act in an advisory capacity but shall have no vote.

15.255(1)(b) (b) The members of the board under par. (a) 1. to 4. shall be appointed for staggered 4-year terms, but no member shall serve beyond the time when the member ceases to hold the office or employment by reason of which the member was initially eligible for appointment.

15.255(1)(c) (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any statute, ordinance, local law or charter provision, membership on the board does not disqualify any member from holding any other public office or employment, or cause the forfeiture thereof.

15.255(2) (2) Crime victims rights board.

15.255(2)(a) (a) There is created a crime victims rights board which is attached to the department of justice under s. 15.03.

15.255(2)(b) (b) The crime victims rights board shall be composed of 5 members as follows:

15.255(2)(b)1. 1. One district attorney holding office in this state.

15.255(2)(b)2. 2. One representative of local law enforcement in this state.

15.255(2)(b)3. 3. One person who is employed or contracted by a county board of supervisors under s. 950.06 to provide services for victims and witnesses of crimes.

15.255(2)(b)4. 4. Two members, not employed in law enforcement, by a district attorney or as specified in subd. 3., who are citizens of this state.

15.255(2)(c) (c) The members of the crime victims rights board specified in par. (b) 2. and 3. shall be appointed by the attorney general. One of the members specified in par. (b) 4. shall be appointed by the crime victims council and the other member shall be appointed by the governor. The member specified in par. (b) 1. shall be appointed by the Wisconsin District Attorneys Association.

15.255(2)(d) (d) The members of the crime victims rights board under par. (a) shall be appointed for 4-year terms, but no member shall serve beyond the time when the member ceases to hold the office or employment by reason of which the member was initially eligible for appointment.

15.255(2)(e) (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of any statute, ordinance, local law or charter provision, membership on the crime victims rights board does not disqualify any member from holding any other public office or employment, or cause the forfeiture thereof.

15.255 History History: 1971 c. 40; 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 9; 1983 a. 27; 1987 a. 27, 403; 1991 a. 316; 1997 a. 181; 2013 a. 20.

15.257 15.257 Same; councils.

15.257(2) (2) Crime victims council. There is created in the department of justice a crime victims council consisting of 15 persons appointed by the attorney general for staggered 3-year terms. Of the 15 members, 10 shall be citizen members, 2 shall represent organizations providing victim support services and one each shall be representatives of law enforcement, district attorneys and the judiciary. The citizen members shall have demonstrated sensitivity and concern for crime victims.

15.257(3) (3) Human trafficking council. There is created in the department of justice a human trafficking council. The council shall consist of the following members:

15.257(3)(a) (a) The secretary of administration, or his or her designee.

15.257(3)(b) (b) The secretary of children and families, or his or her designee.