The references in the Index are to articles and sections of the Wisconsin Constitution, to sections (or parts of sections) and chapters of the Statutes, and to entries in the Appendix in the last volume of the printed statutes. (The appendix is not reproduced at this website, except for the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules. Please consult the printed volumes.)

The web version of the index allows the user to search for any word or combination of words used in the index and to find its specific location wherever it appears anywhere in the index. There is also a tree view available, by clicking “Tree view” in the upper bar. The, the left side of the screen contains an alphabetical list of all the index subject heads, which are links to those heads. Clicking on the plus sign next to the head names in the list shows all the entries included under the head, which are also links to the actual entries, which in turn contain links to the actual statute sections referred to. Heads in the list that are not preceded by a plus sign are followed only by cross-references and do not include entries. The terms used here to describe the components of the index are explained below.

The statute index is made up of:

1. SUBJECT HEADS - Broad categories and subjects affected by significant amounts of legislation followed by lines of text directing the user to specific statutory units.
2. ENTRY TERMS - Broad categories and subjects which have not been selected for use as subject heads which are followed by one or more ”cross-references”.
3. SUBHEADS - Subdivisions by subject matter of subject heads containing large amounts of material.
4. ENTRIES - References to individual statute units under a subject head or subhead
5. SUBENTRIES - References to individual statute units under an entry which has several distinct elements.
6. CROSS-REFERENCES - References from locations in the index where information does not appear to subject heads, subheads and entries where information does appear.
7. SCOPE NOTES - One or more sentences following a subject head or subhead preceded by ”NOTE:” explaining the extent of coverage of the subject heading or subhead.

Popular Name Laws - If you are looking for a law which is known by a popular name, e.g., Bridefare, refer to the list under the subject head ”Popular Name Laws.”

Table of Words and Phrases - The Table of Words and Phrases contains an alphabetical list of terms defined in the statutes together with citations to the statute unit containing the definition of the specified term. This table appears alphabetically in the index under the subject head ”Words and Phrases.”

Constitution Index - A subject matter index for the Wisconsin Constitution is contained in the general index under the subject head ”Constitution, Wisconsin.” References to the constitution are also found throughout the remainder of the index according to the subject matter of the particular provision.

These tables show, in the ascending numerical order of affected statute sections (or parts thereof), the changes, by Act number, enacted by the Legislature during its regular and special sessions for the biennial period commencing in the year noted. In addition, the tables contain references to decimal-numbered statute sections affected in prior legislative sessions that have delayed effective dates that have not yet been reached and to decimal-numbered statute sections affected by Wisconsin Supreme Court Orders.

The listings in these tables are compiled by the Legislative Reference Bureau from the enrolled bills and joint resolutions passed by the Legislature. The Legislative Reference Bureau makes a reasonable effort to provide a complete and accurate listing, but assumes no responsibility or liability for possible errors or omissions. The table for the current legislation session is updated continuously throughout the session.