Chapter 946

946.11(2)(c) (c) “Public utility” has the meaning designated in s. 196.01 (5) and includes a telecommunications carrier, as defined in s. 196.01 (8m).

946.11(3) (3) This section does not apply to notaries public and regular employees or pensioners of a railroad or other public utility who hold public offices for which the annual compensation is not more than $300 to whom no passes or privileges are extended beyond those which are extended to other regular employees or pensioners of such corporation.

946.11 History History: 1975 c. 93; 1977 c. 173; 1985 a. 135; 1993 a. 496; 2001 a. 109; 2015 a. 117; 2017 a. 365 s. 111.

946.12 946.12 Misconduct in public office. Any public officer or public employee who does any of the following is guilty of a Class I felony:

946.12(1) (1) Intentionally fails or refuses to perform a known mandatory, nondiscretionary, ministerial duty of the officer’s or employee’s office or employment within the time or in the manner required by law; or

946.12(2) (2) In the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee, does an act which the officer or employee knows is in excess of the officer’s or employee’s lawful authority or which the officer or employee knows the officer or employee is forbidden by law to do in the officer’s or employee’s official capacity; or

946.12(3) (3) Whether by act of commission or omission, in the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee exercises a discretionary power in a manner inconsistent with the duties of the officer’s or employee’s office or employment or the rights of others and with intent to obtain a dishonest advantage for the officer or employee or another; or

946.12(4) (4) In the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee, makes an entry in an account or record book or return, certificate, report or statement which in a material respect the officer or employee intentionally falsifies; or

946.12(5) (5) Under color of the officer’s or employee’s office or employment, intentionally solicits or accepts for the performance of any service or duty anything of value which the officer or employee knows is greater or less than is fixed by law.

946.12 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1993 a. 486; 2001 a. 109.

946.12 Annotation Sub. (5) prohibits misconduct in public office with constitutional specificity. Ryan v. State, 79 Wis. 2d 83, 255 N.W.2d 910 (1977).

946.12 Annotation Sub. (3) applies to a corrupt act under color of office and under de facto powers conferred by practice and usage. A person who is not a public officer may be charged as a party to the crime of official misconduct. State v. Tronca, 84 Wis. 2d 68, 267 N.W.2d 216 (1978).

946.12 Annotation An on-duty prison guard did not violate sub. (2) by fornicating with a prisoner in a cell. State v. Schmit, 115 Wis. 2d 657, 340 N.W.2d 752 (Ct. App. 1983).

946.12 Annotation Sub. (3) is not unconstitutionally vague. It does not fail to give notice that hiring and directing staff to work on political campaigns on state time with state resources is a violation. A legislator’s duty under this section may be determined by reference to a variety of sources including the Senate Policy Manual, applicable statutes, and legislative rules and guidelines. The Senate Policy Manual and senate guidelines restricted political campaigning with public resources. State v. Chvala, 2004 WI App 53, 271 Wis. 2d 115, 678 N.W.2d 880, 03-0442.

946.12 Annotation Affirmed. 2005 WI 30, 279 Wis. 2d 216, 693 N.W.2d 747, 03-0442. See also State v. Jensen, 2004 WI App 89, 272 Wis. 2d 707, 681 N.W.2d 230, 03-0106.

946.12 Annotation Affirmed. 2005 WI 31, 279 Wis. 2d 220, 694 N.W.2d 56, 03-0106.

946.12 Annotation Sub. (3) regulates conduct and not speech and is not subject to an overbreadth challenge under the 1st amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Legislators or their employees are not prohibited from doing or saying anything related to participation in political campaigns so long as they do not use state resources for that purpose. Legitimate legislative activity is not constrained by this statute. The line between “legislative activity” and “political activity” is sufficiently clear to prevent any confusion as to what conduct is prohibited under this statute. State v. Chvala, 2004 WI App 53, 271 Wis. 2d 115, 678 N.W.2d 880, 03-0442.

946.12 Annotation Affirmed. 2005 WI 30, 279 Wis. 2d 216, 693 N.W.2d 747, 03-0442. See also State v. Jensen, 2004 WI App 89, 272 Wis. 2d 707, 681 N.W.2d 230, 03-0106.

946.12 Annotation Affirmed. 2005 WI 31, 279 Wis. 2d 220, 694 N.W.2d 56, 03-0106.

946.12 Annotation Enforcement of sub. (3) against a legislator does not violate the separation of powers doctrine. Enforcement does not require the courts to enforce legislative rules governing the enactment of legislation. Rather, the courts are asked to enforce a penal statute that relates to the duties of a legislator. A court may interpret an internal legislative rule to determine criminal liability if, when applied to the facts of the specific case, the rule is not ambiguous. State v. Chvala, 2004 WI App 53, 271 Wis. 2d 115, 678 N.W.2d 880, 03-0442.

946.12 Annotation Affirmed. 2005 WI 30, 279 Wis. 2d 216, 693 N.W.2d 747, 03-0442. See also State v. Jensen, 2004 WI App 89, 272 Wis. 2d 707, 681 N.W.2d 230, 03-0106.

946.12 Annotation Affirmed. 2005 WI 31, 279 Wis. 2d 220, 694 N.W.2d 56, 03-0106.

946.12 Annotation Sub. (3) provides, as separate elements of the crime, the requirement that the conduct be inconsistent with the duties of one’s office and the requirement that the conduct be done with intent to obtain a dishonest advantage. Although both elements may be proved through the same transaction, there must nevertheless be proof as to both elements. The state is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant exercised the defendant’s discretionary power with the purpose to obtain a dishonest advantage. Guilt of misconduct in office does not require the defendant to have acted corruptly. State v. Jensen, 2007 WI App 256, 306 Wis. 2d 572, 743 N.W.2d 468, 06-2095. See also State v. Schultz, 2007 WI App 257, 306 Wis. 2d 598, 743 N.W.2d 823, 06-2121.

946.13 946.13 Private interest in public contract prohibited.

946.13(1) (1) Any public officer or public employee who does any of the following is guilty of a Class I felony:

946.13(1)(a) (a) In the officer’s or employee’s private capacity, negotiates or bids for or enters into a contract in which the officer or employee has a private pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, if at the same time the officer or employee is authorized or required by law to participate in the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee in the making of that contract or to perform in regard to that contract some official function requiring the exercise of discretion on the officer’s or employee’s part; or

946.13(1)(b) (b) In the officer’s or employee’s capacity as such officer or employee, participates in the making of a contract in which the officer or employee has a private pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, or performs in regard to that contract some function requiring the exercise of discretion on the officer’s or employee’s part.

946.13(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any of the following:

946.13(2)(a) (a) Contracts in which any single public officer or employee is privately interested that do not involve receipts and disbursements by the state or its political subdivision aggregating more than $15,000 in any year.

946.13(2)(b) (b) Contracts involving the deposit of public funds in public depositories.

946.13(2)(c) (c) Contracts involving loans made pursuant to s. 67.12.

946.13(2)(d) (d) Contracts for the publication of legal notices required to be published, provided such notices are published at a rate not higher than that prescribed by law.

946.13(2)(e) (e) Contracts for the issuance to a public officer or employee of tax titles, tax certificates, or instruments representing an interest in, or secured by, any fund consisting in whole or in part of taxes in the process of collection, provided such titles, certificates, or instruments are issued in payment of salary or other obligations due such officer or employee.

946.13(2)(f) (f) Contracts for the sale of bonds or securities issued by a political subdivision of the state; provided such bonds or securities are sold at a bona fide public sale to the highest bidder and the public officer or employee acquiring the private interest has no duty to vote upon the issuance of the bonds or securities.

946.13(2)(g) (g) Contracts with, or tax credits or payments received by, public officers or employees for wildlife damage claims or abatement under s. 29.889, for farmland preservation under s. 91.13, 2007 stats., or s. 91.60 or subch. IX of ch. 71, soil and water resource management under s. 92.14, soil erosion control under s. 92.10, 1985 stats., animal waste management under s. 92.15, 1985 stats., and nonpoint source water pollution abatement under s. 281.65.

946.13(3) (3) A contract entered into in violation of this section is void and the state or the political subdivision in whose behalf the contract was made incurs no liability thereon.

946.13(4) (4) In this section “contract” includes a conveyance.

946.13(5) (5) Subsection (1) (b) shall not apply to a public officer or public employee by reason of his or her holding not more than 2 percent of the outstanding capital stock of a corporate body involved in such contract.

946.13(6) (6) Subsection (3) shall not apply to contracts creating a public debt, as defined in s. 18.01 (4), if the requirements of s. 18.14 (1) have been met. No evidence of indebtedness, as defined in s. 18.01 (3), shall be invalidated on account of a violation of this section by a public officer or public employee, but such officer or employee and the surety on the officer’s or employee’s official bond shall be liable to the state for any loss to it occasioned by such violation.

946.13(7) (7) Subsection (1) shall not apply to any public officer or public employee, who receives compensation for the officer’s or employee’s services as such officer or employee, exclusive of advances or reimbursements for expenses, of less than $10,000 per year, merely by reason of his or her being a director, officer, employee, agent or attorney of or for a state or national bank, savings bank or trust company, or any holding company thereof. This subsection shall not apply to any such person whose compensation by such financial institution is directly dependent upon procuring public business. Compensation determined by longevity, general quality of work or the overall performance and condition of such financial institution shall not be deemed compensation directly dependent upon procuring public business.

946.13(8) (8) Subsection (1) shall not apply to contracts or transactions made or consummated or bonds issued under s. 66.1103.

946.13(9) (9) Subsection (1) does not apply to the member of a local committee appointed under s. 289.33 (7) (a) acting as a member of that committee in negotiation, arbitration or ratification of agreements under s. 289.33.

946.13(10) (10) Subsection (1) (a) does not apply to a member of a local workforce development board established under 29 USC 2832 or to a member of the council on workforce investment established under 29 USC 2821.

946.13(11) (11) Subsection (1) does not apply to an individual who receives compensation for services as a public officer or public employee of less than $10,000 annually, exclusive of advances or reimbursements for expenses, merely because that individual is a partner, shareholder or employee of a law firm that serves as legal counsel to the public body that the officer or employee serves, unless one of the following applies:

946.13(11)(a) (a) The individual has an interest in that law firm greater than 2 percent of its net profit or loss.

946.13(11)(b) (b) The individual participates in making a contract between that public body and that law firm or exercises any official discretion with respect to a contract between them.

946.13(11)(c) (c) The individual’s compensation from the law firm directly depends on the individual’s procurement of business with public bodies.

946.13(12) (12) 

946.13(12)(a) (a) In this subsection:

946.13(12)(a)1. 1. “Research company” means an entity engaged in commercial or nonprofit activity that is related to research conducted by an employee or officer of the system or to a product of such research.

946.13(12)(a)2. 2. “System” means the University of Wisconsin System.

946.13(12)(b) (b) Subsection (1) does not apply to a contract between a research company and the system or any institution or college campus within the system for purchase of goods or services, including research, if the interest that a system employee or officer has in the research company has been evaluated and addressed in a management plan issued by the individual or body responsible for evaluating and managing potential conflicts of interest and the management plan complies with the policy adopted under par. (d).

946.13(12)(d) (d) The board shall adopt a policy specifying the contents required for a management plan under par. (b).

946.13 History History: 1971 c. 40 s. 93; 1973 c. 12 s. 37; 1973 c. 50, 265; 1977 c. 166, 173; 1983 a. 282; 1987 a. 344, 378, 399; 1989 a. 31, 232; 1993 a. 486; 1995 a. 27, 225, 227, 435; 1997 a. 35, 248; 1999 a. 9, 85; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 417; 2009 a. 28; 2019 a. 36.

946.13 Annotation A county board member did not violate sub. (1) by accepting a job as airport manager while he was serving as a county board member for a county that was co-owner of the airport when he was appointed pursuant to advice and approval of the county corporation counsel. State v. Davis, 63 Wis. 2d 75, 216 N.W.2d 31 (1974).

946.13 Annotation Sub. (1) (b) is a strict liability offense. It does not include the element of corrupt motive. State v. Stoehr, 134 Wis. 2d 66, 396 N.W.2d 177 (1986).

946.13 Annotation The defendant could not have had a pecuniary interest in, or have negotiated in the defendant’s private capacity for, a position that had not yet been posted. State v. Venema, 2002 WI App 202, 257 Wis. 2d 491, 650 N.W.2d 898, 01-2502.

946.13 Annotation A county board member employed by an engineering and survey firm may have a possible conflict of interest in public contracts. 60 Atty. Gen. 98.

946.13 Annotation A member of the Wisconsin board of vocational, technical, and adult education [now technical college] may not bid on and contract for the construction of a building project for a vocational-technical district that would entail expenditures exceeding $2,000 in any year, when availability of federal funds for use on such project is subject to the member’s approval as a member of the board. 60 Atty. Gen. 310.

946.13 Annotation Discussing conflicts arising from election of a school principal to the office of alderperson. 60 Atty. Gen. 367.

946.13 Annotation Appointment of counsel for indigents involves a public contract. 62 Atty. Gen. 118.

946.13 Annotation A county supervisor who is a pharmacist probably does not violate this section in furnishing prescription services to medicaid patients when the state is solely liable for payment. 64 Atty. Gen. 108.

946.13 Annotation The marital property law does not change the applicability of this section to a member of a governmental body when that body employs the member’s spouse. 76 Atty. Gen. 15.

946.13 Annotation This section applies to county board or department purchases aggregating more than $5,000 from a county supervisor-owned business. 76 Atty. Gen. 178.

946.13 Annotation When the village board administers a community development block grant program, a member of the village board would violate this section if the board member obtained a loan in excess of $5,000 under the program. Acting as a private contractor, the board member would violate sub. (1) if the board member contracted to perform the construction work for a third person who obtained a loan under the program. 76 Atty. Gen. 278.

946.13 Annotation Sub. (1) (a) may be violated by members of the Private Industry Councils when private or public entities of which they are executives, directors, or board members receive benefits under the Job Training Partnership Act. 77 Atty. Gen. 306.

946.13 Annotation A municipality’s zoning decision is not a contract under sub. (1) (a), and therefore the statute does not apply to an official’s participation in a zoning decision. OAG 9-14.

946.14 946.14 Purchasing claims at less than full value. Any public officer or public employee who in a private capacity directly or indirectly intentionally purchases for less than full value or discounts any claim held by another against the state or a political subdivision thereof or against any public fund is guilty of a Class I felony.

946.14 History History: 1977 c. 173; 2001 a. 109.

946.16 946.16 Judicial officer collecting claims. Any judicial officer who causes to be brought in a court over which the officer presides any action or proceeding upon a claim placed with the officer as agent or attorney for collection is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

946.16 History History: 1977 c. 173.

946.17 946.17 Corrupt means to influence legislation; disclosure of interest. Any person who gives or agrees or offers to give anything of value to any person, for the service of such person or of any other person in procuring the passage or defeat of any measure before the legislature or before either house or any committee thereof, upon the contingency or condition of the passage or defeat of the measure, or who receives, or agrees to receive anything of value for such service, upon any such contingency or condition, or who, having a pecuniary or other interest, or acting as the agent or attorney of any person in procuring or attempting to procure the passage or defeat of any measure before the legislature or before either house or any committee thereof, attempts in any manner to influence any member of the legislature for or against the measure, without first making known to the member the real and true interest he or she has in the measure, either personally or as such agent or attorney, is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.

946.17 History History: 1977 c. 278 s. 1; Stats. 1977 s. 946.17; 1993 a. 213.

946.18 946.18 Misconduct sections apply to all public officers. Sections 946.10 to 946.17 apply to public officers, whether legally constituted or exercising powers as if legally constituted.

946.18 History History: 1977 c. 278; 1979 c. 110.

subch. III of ch. 946 SUBCHAPTER III

PERJURY AND FALSE SWEARING

946.31 946.31 Perjury.

946.31(1) (1) Whoever under oath or affirmation orally makes a false material statement which the person does not believe to be true, in any matter, cause, action or proceeding, before any of the following, whether legally constituted or exercising powers as if legally constituted, is guilty of a Class H felony:

946.31(1)(a) (a) A court;

946.31(1)(b) (b) A magistrate;

946.31(1)(c) (c) A judge, referee or court commissioner;

946.31(1)(d) (d) An administrative agency or arbitrator authorized by statute to determine issues of fact;

946.31(1)(e) (e) A notary public while taking testimony for use in an action or proceeding pending in court;

946.31(1)(f) (f) An officer authorized to conduct inquests of the dead;

946.31(1)(g) (g) A grand jury;

946.31(1)(h) (h) A legislative body or committee.

946.31(2) (2) It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the perjured testimony was corrected or retracted.

946.31 History History: 1977 c. 173; 1979 c. 110; 2001 a. 109.