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State Bar Policy Positions

The State Bar is led by a 52-member Board of Governors elected by the membership or appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The organization operates under the rules of the Supreme Court and the State Bar's bylaws.

The Board of Governors works with the Government Relations staff on a wide variety of issues and policy decisions important to the legal profession, the general public, and the justice system. The Board adopts public policy positions on behalf of the entire organization, consistent with the State Bar's mission.

Our Priority Issues​


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State Bar Position Statements

The State Bar of Wisconsin takes legislative positions on general policy items of importance to the legal profession. By a 60 percent majority vote, the Board of Governors has the authority to determine the legislative positions of the State Bar.

The following are guiding principles for the State Bar's public policy positions. Specific examples of issues which fall under those guiding principles are also included.

The six principles include:

  • Regulation of the Practice of Law
  • Delivery of Legal Services
  • Administration of Justice
  • Funding of the Justice System
  • Criminal Practice and Procedure
  • Civil Practice and Procedure
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Current Legislation​

​​You can see more information on positions taken by State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors​.

If you have any questions, please contact State Bar Government Relations Staff

Previous Sessions​

2021-2022

  • Assembly

      • Assembly Bill 108
          Companion Bill: SB 457, SB 120, SB 515

          Relating to: law enforcement agency policies on the use of force.

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 109
          Companion Bill: SB 123

          Relating to: reporting of law enforcement use of force incidents. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 110
          Companion Bill: SB 122
          Relating to: public access to policies regarding the use of force by law enforcement.


          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 112
          Companion Bill: SB 118

          Relating to: the creation of an independent use of force review advisory board. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 258
          Companion Bill: SB 124

          Relating to: community-oriented policing-house grant program and making an appropriation. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 33
          Companion Bill: SB 62

          Relating to: merit pay raises for state public defenders.

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 330
          Companion Bill: SB 474

          Relating to: school resource officers.

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 331
          Companion Bill: SB 470

          Relating to: requiring prospective law enforcement officers to complete a psychological examination prior to employment as a law enforcement officer and granting rule-making authority. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 332
          Companion Bill: SB 471

          Relating to: crisis training for law enforcement officers. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 334
          Companion Bill: SB 476

          Relating to: drug testing of law enforcement officers involved in certain critical incidents while on duty. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 69
          Companion Bill: SB 78

          Relating to: merit pay raises for state public defenders.

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 838
          Companion Bill: SB 856

          Relating to: bail for criminal defendants who have a previous conviction for a felony or violent misdemeanor. (FE)

          Position: None (comment only)
      • Assembly Bill 840
          Companion Bill: SB 858

          Relating to: bail for criminal defendants who have a previous conviction for bail jumping. (FE)

          Position: None (comment only)
  • Senate

      • Senate Bill 118
          Companion Bill: AB 112

          Relating to: the creation of an independent use of force review advisory board. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 470
          Companion Bill: AB 331

          Relating to: requiring prospective law enforcement officers to complete a psychological examination prior to employment as a law enforcement officer and granting rule-making authority. (FE)​

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 471
          Companion Bill: AB 332

          Relating to: crisis training for law enforcement officers. (FE)​​

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 472
          Companion Bill: AB 329

          Relating to: reporting the use of no-knock entry in the execution of a search warrant. (FE)​

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 473
          Companion Bill: AB 335

          Relating to: grants to law enforcement agencies for body cameras. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 474
          Companion Bill: AB 330

          Relating to: school resource officers.​

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 475
          Companion Bill: AB 333

          Relating to: crisis program enhancement grants. (FE)​

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 476
          Companion Bill: AB 334

          Relating to: drug testing of law enforcement officers involved in certain critical incidents while on duty. (FE)​

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 78
          Companion Bill: AB 69

          Relating to: expungement of records of certain crimes and discrimination based on expunged conviction. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 856
          Companion Bill: AB 838

          Relating to: bail for criminal defendants who have a previous conviction for a felony or violent misdemeanor. (FE)​

          Position: None (comment only)
      • Senate Bill 858
          Companion Bill: AB 840

          Relating to: bail for criminal defendants who have a previous conviction for bail jumping. (FE)​

          Position: None (comment only)
2019-2020
  • Assembly

      • Assembly Bill 25
          Companion Bill: SB 29

          Relating to: allowing district attorneys, deputy distric​t attorneys, and assistant district attorneys to engage in the private practice of law for certain civil purposes.

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 33
          Companion Bill: SB 39

          Relating to: expungement of records of certain crimes. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 470
          Companion Bill: SB 458

          Relating to: adding 12 circuit court branches to be allocated by the director of state courts. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 501
          Companion Bill: SB 468

          Relating to: funding the public defender pay progression and making an appropriation. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 512
          Companion Bill: SB 461

          Relating to: a Public Defender Board student loan payment pilot program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 513
          Companion Bill: SB 460

          Relating to: creation of a prosecutor board and a state prosecutors office and making an appropriation. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Assembly Bill 705
          Companion Bill: SB 698

          Relating to: attorney assistance in the preparation of certain court documents.

          Position: Against
      • Assembly Bill 774
          Companion Bill: SB 813

          Relating to: the use of restraints on a child in juvenile or criminal court.

          Position: For
  • Senate

      • Senate Bill 29
          Companion Bill: AB 25

          Relating to: allowing district attorneys, deputy district attorneys, and assistant district attorneys to engage in the private practice of law for certain civil purposes.

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 39
          Companion Bill: AB 33

          Relating to: expungement of records of certain crimes. (FE)

          Position: Fpr
      • Senate Bill 458
          Companion Bill: AB 470

          Relating to: adding 12 circuit court branches to be allocated by the director of state courts. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 460
          Companion Bill: AB 513

          Relating to: creation of a prosecutor board and a state prosecutors office and making an appropriation. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 461
          Companion Bill: AB 512

          Relating to: a Public Defender Board student loan payment pilot program, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and making an appropriation. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 468
          Companion Bill: AB 501

          Relating to: funding the public defender pay progression and making an appropriation. (FE)

          Position: For
      • Senate Bill 813
          Companion Bill: AB 774

          Relating to: the use of restraints on a child in juvenile or criminal court.

          Position: For
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