This database contains the drafting records for all proposals introduced in prior sessions of the legislature since the 1997 session. This includes acts, bills, resolutions and joint resolutions. All files are in .pdf format. The drafting files of proposals that were not formally introduced into either house of the legislature remain confidential under state law.
How the Files Are Organized
Each session folder has at least four subfolders: acts, assembly bills, the budget bill, and senate bills (2001 also includes a separate folder for the Budget Reform Act).
Acts folder
All of the legislation that was signed by the governor (enacted) into law is contained in this folder. Wisconsin acts are numbered in the order that they are signed. Each act will have its original bill number in parentheses.
Assembly folder
This folder contains every numbered proposal that was introduced in the Assembly chamber for the legislative session, sorted by bills, joint resolutions, resolutions, and special session bills. If the bill you are looking for became an act, there will be a note in parentheses for the 2003 and 2005 sessions directing you to the acts folder. The 2001 bills show these notes once you have clicked inside the folder, and retain links to the drafting files.
Budget folder
Senate folder
This folder mirrors the Assembly folder contents, but contains everything that was introduced in the Senate.
To Search Files
To find the file you are seeking, first open up the file for the correct session during which the legislation was introduced. If the legislation was enacted, open up the acts folder and scroll down to the correct act. If the legislation did not pass, open up the Senate or Assembly folder, depending on which house it was introduced in. Open the bill folder if it was a bill, the resolution folder if it was a resolution, and so on.
Contents of each file
Acts folder
Each act folder will have at least the following contents:
• A copy of the numbered act
• Enrolling instructions (administrative information)
• The procedural history of the proposal
• A copy of the proposal as originally introduced
• A copy of the drafting request sheet
• One or more fiscal estimates if required by law
• Any notes or correspondence from the drafting attorney
• Any previous drafts before introduction
Assembly and Senate folders
Assembly and Senate folders should have the following contents, regardless of the type of proposal:
• The procedural history of the proposal
• A copy of the proposal as originally introduced
• A copy of the drafting request sheet
• One or more fiscal estimates if required by law
• Any notes or correspondence from the drafting attorney
• Any previous drafts before introduction
Budget folder
Each budget folder should contain the following components:
• Enrolling instructions (administrative information)
• A copy of the budget with partial vetoes by the governor
• The governor’s veto message
• The procedural history of the budget bill
• A copy of the passed budget with LRB numbers in the margins
• A copy of the of the original budget bill (Governor’s version)
• A copy with LRB numbers in the margins
• A copy of the Substitute Amendment (Joint Finance Committee’s ”Superamendment”)
• A copy with LRB numbers in the margins
• Any other substitute amendments
• Any simple amendments
