Wisconsin State Assembly
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	January 13, 2026
Session end:	March 19, 2026
Term length:	2 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$60,924/year + per diem
Members
Total:	99
Democrats:	45
Republicans:	54
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
Speaker:	Robin Vos (R)
Maj. Leader:	Tyler August (R)
Min. Leader:	Greta Neubauer (D)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

TheWisconsin State Assembly is thelower chamber of theWisconsin State Legislature. Alongside theWisconsin State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Wisconsin state government and works alongside thegovernor of Wisconsin to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Wisconsin State Assembly include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Wisconsin State Assembly meets in the state capitol building inMadison, Wisconsin.

This page contains the following information on the Wisconsin State Assembly.

• Which partycontrols the chamber
• The chamber'scurrent membership
• Partisan control of the chamberover time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• Adistrict map
• Howredistricting works in the state
• Legislation under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list ofcommittees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Wisconsin State Assembly as of February 2026:

Members

Leadership

The speaker of the Assembly is the presiding officer of the body and is elected by its membership. Duties of the speaker include appointing members to legislative committees; authenticating acts, orders, and proceedings of the Assembly; and supervising all other officers of the Assembly. In the absence of the speaker, the speaker pro tempore assumes all duties of the position.^[1][2]

Leadership and members

• Speaker of the Assembly:Robin Vos (R)
• Majority leader:Tyler August (R)
• Minority leader:Greta Neubauer (D)

Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries

Swearing in dates

See also:When state legislators assume office after a general election

Wisconsin legislators assume office the first Monday in January following the election, unless the first Monday of January falls on January 1 or 2. In those cases, legislators assume office on January 3.^[4]

Membership qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

Section 6 of Article 4 of theWisconsin Constitution states, "No person shall be eligible to the legislature who shall not have resided one year within the state, and be a qualified elector in the district which he may be chosen to represent."^[5]

Historical party control

Republicans won control of the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010. In2024, they won a 54-45 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Wisconsin State Assembly following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Trifecta history

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Wisconsin was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 2009-2010
• Republican trifecta: 1995, 1998, 2011-2018
• Divided government: 1992-1994, 1996-1997, 1999-2008, 2019-2023

Elections

Elections by year

Wisconsin state Assembly members servetwo-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Wisconsin holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2026

Elections for theWisconsin State Assembly will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026. The primary isAugust 11, 2026. The filing deadline isJune 1, 2026.

2024

See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2024

Elections for theWisconsin State Assembly took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasAugust 13, 2024. The filing deadline wasJune 3, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, Republicans lost 10 seats but maintained their majority in the Wisconsin State Assembly. The Republican majority went from 64-34 to 54-45.

2022

See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2022

Elections for theWisconsin State Assembly took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 9, 2022. The filing deadline was June 1, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, the Republican majority in the Wisconsin State Assembly increased from 57-38 with four vacancies to 64-35.

2020

See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2020

Elections for the office ofWisconsin State Assembly took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 11, 2020. The filing deadline was June 1, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, the Republican majority in the Wisconsin State Assembly was reduced from 63-34 with two vacancies to 61-38.

2018

See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018

Elections for theWisconsin State Assembly took place in2018. Anopen primary election took place on August 14, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018.^[6] The candidate filing deadline wasJune 1, 2018.

In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Wisconsin State Assembly was reduced from 64-35 to 63-36.

2016

See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2016

Elections for theWisconsin State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016. All99 seats in theWisconsin State Assembly were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 63-36 majority. Republicans gained one seat in the election, giving them a 64-35 majority.

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2014 Elections for all 99 seats in theWisconsin State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 12, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 2, 2014. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 60-38 majority with one independent member. Republicans gained three seats in the election, giving them a 63-36 majority. Wisconsin House of Representatives Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 38 36      Republican Party 60 63      Independent 1 0 Total 99 99 2012 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 14, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was July 10, 2012. All99 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 58-39 majority with one independent member and one vacancy. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 60-39 majority. Wisconsin State Assembly Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 39 39      Republican Party 58 60      Independent 1 0      Vacancy 1 0 Total 99 99 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Wisconsin State Assembly District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 72 Scott Krug 0.4% 28,185 Justin Pluess District 70 Amy Vruwink 0.5% 26,936 Nancy VanderMeer District 93 Warren Petryk 1.6% 30,742 Jeff Smith District 75 Stephen Smith 2.2% 28,334 Roger Rivard District 1 Garey Bies 2.6% 33,146 Patrick Veeser District 26 Michael Endsley 2.6% 29,294 Mike Helmke District 85 Mandy Wright 3.2% 28,026 Patrick Snyder District 50 Ed Brooks 3.5% 25,533 Sarah Shanahan District 51 Howard Marklein 3.8% 27,539 Maureen May-Grimm District 88 John Klenke 4.9% 27,566 Ward Bacon 2010 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 13, 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 50-45 majority with two independent members and two vacancies. Democrats lost 12 seats in the election, giving Republicans a 60-38 majority with one independent member. Wisconsin State Assembly Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 50 38      Republican Party 45 60      Independent 2 1      Vacancy 2 - Total 99 99 In 2010, the candidates for state Assembly raised a total of $7,619,470 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[7] 2010 Donors, Wisconsin State Assembly Donor Amount Public Fund $160,215 Marek, John $150,200 Prestrud, Marv $65,942 Kapenga, Chris $54,028 Klenke, John $50,317 Wisconsin Republican Party $43,734 McDonald, Dari $42,179 Simonson, John Christian $41,196 Wisconsin Education Association Council $36,250 Wisconsin Dental Association $29,789 2008 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly consisted of a primary election on September 9, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $8,861,552. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2008 Donors, Wisconsin State Assembly Donor Amount Kohl, Daniel A $240,690 Public Fund $160,590 Feldman, Andrew R $66,450 Kuhle, David E $52,400 Wisconsin Republican Party $47,038 Melchert, Randall Ryan $39,717 Wisconsin Education Association Council $32,341 Assembly Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Wisconsin $28,530 Pas, Richard J (Dick) $27,500 Pasch, Sandra K $27,050 2006 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $6,451,473. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2006 Donors, Wisconsin State Assembly Donor Amount Public Fund $233,711 Mcdonald, Dari $54,000 Newcomer, Scott $42,050 Tauchen, Gary $33,525 Wisconsin Education Association Council $31,638 Assembly Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Wisconsin $31,099 Wisconsin Institute Of CPAs $30,100 Stafsholt, Rob $29,735 Zipperer, Rich $26,601 Ott, Jim $25,525 2004 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly consisted of a primary election on September 14, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $6,098,873. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2004 Donors, Wisconsin State Assembly Donor Amount Public Fund $198,691 Public Fund $60,575 Contributions Including Loans From Individuals $39,279 Wisconsin Republican Party $39,112 Wisconsin Realtors Association $33,388 Allbaugh, Todd R $31,809 Wisconsin Education Association Council $30,578 Brown, Brian $27,001 Bird, Luann $24,625 Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Association $23,850 2002 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly consisted of a primary election on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $4,168,776. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2002 Donors, Wisconsin State Assembly Donor Amount Bonnett, Anthony $43,039 Melotik, Paul D $36,000 Wisconsin Republican Party $35,737 Public Fund $31,310 Dier, Roger $27,022 Public Fund $23,069 Ficks, Judith Einwald $22,500 Hansen, Mo $18,433 Wisconsin Bankers Association $16,000 Green, William H $13,900 2000 See also:Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Wisconsin State Assembly consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Assembly candidates was $6,788,646. The top 10 contributors were:[12] 2000 Donors, Wisconsin State Assembly Donor Amount Public Fund $332,413 Fitzgerald, Jeff $43,529 Wisconsin Republican Party $42,472 Assembly Democratic Campaign Cmte Of Wisconsin $37,098 Wisconsin Bankers Association $30,900 Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance $28,000 Rasmussen, Michael C $26,964 Wisconsin Education Association Council $26,488 Wisconsin Realtors Association $23,400 Rosser, Lewis D $22,800

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theWisconsin State Legislature, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat.^[13] Thegovernor can call for an election when allowed by law. The election cannot be held after February 1 before a spring general election, unless it is held on the same day of the election, which is the first Tuesday in April. The same requirement applies to any election preceding the fall general election (after August 1), with the exception of elections held on the first Tuesday in November.^[14] Also, all vacancies must be filled quickly as long the vacancy happened before the second Tuesday in May during an election year.^[15]

See sources:Wisconsin Cons. Art. IV, § 14

District map

See also:Wisconsin state legislative districts

The state of Wisconsin has 99 state Assembly districts. Each district elects one representative.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also:Redistricting in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by theWisconsin State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by thegovernor.^[16]

TheWisconsin Constitution requires that state legislative districts be compact and "that they be bounded by county, precinct, town, or ward lines where possible." The state constitution further stipulates that state legislative districts should be contiguous.^[16]

2020-2024

See also:Redistricting in Wisconsin after the 2020 census

On February 19, 2024, Gov.Tony Evers (D) signedSenate Bill 488 into law, adopting new Wisconsin legislative maps.^[17] The maps were approved by majority votes in both chambers of Wisconsin's state legislature on February 13. Thestate Senate voted 18-14 in favor of adopting the new legislative maps, while thestate Assembly vote total was 63-33.

In the 2023Wisconsin Supreme Court election,Janet Protasiewicz had defeatedDaniel Kelly, changing the balance of the court from a conservative to a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years.^[18][19] Later that year on December 22, 2023, theWisconsin Supreme Court ruled in a 4-3 vote that the state's legislative maps were unconstitutional and ordered new maps to be drawn before the 2024 election.^[20] The court rejected theleast change approach the conservative majority had adopted for the 2022 maps and ruled that the new maps must satisfy the state constitution's contiguity requirements.^[21]

District map after 2020 redistricting

Below is the state Assembly map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Wisconsin’s 2024 state legislative elections.

2010-2012

See also:Redistricting in Wisconsin after the 2010 census

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Wisconsin's population increased from 5.36 million to 5.69 million between 2000 and 2010.^[22] This population growth was large enough to allow the state to retain its eight Congressional seats.^[23]

Republicans held thegovernorship and majorities in thestate Senate andstate Assembly after the 2010 elections. As a result, the redistricting process was controlled by one party. The redistricting process was accelerated by thesummer 2011 recall elections, and when Gov.Scott Walker (R) signed a bill giving the legislature the power to redistrict state boundaries before the localities finished their redistricting processes.^[24] State Republicans presented their plan on July 8, 2011, and the maps passed the legislature on July 19, 2011.^[25][26] Gov. Walker signed the plan into law on August 9, 2011.^[26]

Several lawsuits were filed as a result of the new maps.^[27] TheWisconsin Government Accountability Board identified errors in the maps, and a court also determined that two Milwaukee-area districts needed to be redrawn to better represent minority-area populations.^[28]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Wisconsin State Assembly has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Assembly to the Senate and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated byBillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Wisconsin by year

2025

See also:2025 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2025, and adjourn on December 31, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also:2024 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 16, 2024, and adjourn on March 12, 2024. 2023 See also:2023 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on January 6, 2025. 2022 See also:2022 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 18, 2022, and adjourn on March 8, 2022. 2021 See also:2021 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2021, and adjourn on December 31, 2021. 2020 See also:2020 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on May 13, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also:Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. On April 3, 2020, Gov.Tony Evers (D) announced he was signing an executive order calling the legislature to meet in a special session beginning at 4:00 PM on April 4, 2020, to discuss changes to the spring election.The legislature adjourned without taking action on Evers' proposal. Evers issued another executive order on April 6, 2020, calling on the state legislature to convene a special session on April 7, 2020, again to consider changes to the state's spring election. The legislature again adjourned without taking action on Evers' proposal. The legislature convened for another special session on April 14, 2020. The legislature adjourned on May 13, 2020.[29] 2019 See also:2019 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2019, through December 31, 2019. 2018 See also:2018 Wisconsin legislative session andDates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 16, 2018, through March 22, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017 See also:Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2017, through December 31, 2017. The legislature began a special session on August 1, 2017, over a tax incentive package for Foxconn. Click [show] to read about the 2017 session. Lawmakers in Wisconsin failed to pass a state budget by the start of the state’s new fiscal year on July 1.[30] The missed deadline, however, was not out of the ordinary in Wisconsin. Between 1997 and 2017, the state passed only three budgets by July 1.[31] In Wisconsin, spending levels from the previous two-year budget stay in effect until a new budget passes, allowing state agencies to continue operating and sparing citizens from most effects of a government shutdown. If the budget were to continue to be ironed out months down the road, some projects could be delayed and local school districts would be in the position of setting budgets without knowing how much state funding will be available.[30] The Joint Finance Committee of the Wisconsin State Legislature passed a motion on September 5 that led to budget negotiations moving forward in the legislature. The plan, which was passed by the committee on a 12-4 party-line vote, put $400 million towards transportation. GovernorScott Walker’s (R) budget proposal had $500 million going into transportation. The committee's plan also included a state registration fee of $100 for electric vehicles and $75 for hybrid vehicles. On September 6, the full $76 billion budget passed in the finance committee. The state Assembly approved the budget in a 57-39 vote on September 12, and the state Senate approved it on September 15. Until the afternoon of September 15 it was unclear if Republicans would have the 17 votes required to pass the bill. However, after a three-hour recess, senators returned to the floor with Republicans suggesting that they have the votes needed for the votes to pass.[32] The bill passed the Senate on a 19-14 vote.[33] Governor Walker made 99 vetoes to the bill before signing it on September 21, exercising Wisconsin's line-item veto power that extends to individual words, exceeding the power of most state governors.[34] Throughout Wisconsin's 2017 legislative session, Republicans in the state Senate and state Assembly disagreed on how to fund road projects, how to increase funding for K-12 schools, and how to cut taxes. Assembly SpeakerRobin Vos (R) said on Wisconsin Public Radio, "If you're not willing to raise the revenues, it's not conservative to borrow and spend, which is unfortunately what it seems like our Senate colleagues are talking about."[35] On September 14, members of the state Assembly voted in 64-31 favor of a $3 billion tax incentive package aimed at bringing a Taiwanese LCD flat screen factory to southeast Wisconsin.[36] That vote sent the bill to the desk of Gov. Walker, who signed the bill not long after.[37] Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd., which trades as Foxconn Technology Group, looked to build a $10 billion campus in Southeast Wisconsin. Foxconn announced in October 2017 that the factory would be built inMount Pleasant inRacine County.[38] The new factory was projected to bring up to 13,000 jobs to the area by 2021. Salaries would start at $41,600 a year and would average $53,900. The deal would allow Foxconn to receive up to $1.35 billion after a full investment has been made into the plant and equipment. Another $1.5 billion would be given to Foxconn after the company begins to employ workers.[39] A report by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau found that it could take 25 years for the state to break even financially on the deal.[40][41] Foxconn is also looking at Dane County for a second campus. 2016 See also:Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through March 15. 2015 See also:Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 5 through December 31. Major issues in 2015 Like many states, the issue that topped the Wisconsin State Legislature's to-do list was the state's budget. Wisconsin faced a $2.2 million budget shortfall, and lawmakers were forced to address the issue before any other projects. The Republican agenda also focused on reducing the size of government, tax cuts, entitlement reform, and school accountability. The Democrats, on the other hand, emphasized their interest in raising the minimum wage and income inequality. 2014 See also:Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through June 4. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included income tax, public school funding, health care, and jobs.[42] 2013 See also:Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 7 to December 31. Major issues in 2013 Following the extreme polarization of the previous two years, Gov.Scott Walker (R) said he would push for a more moderate agenda in 2013. Alongside the creation of a new budget, main issues included job creation, workforce development, tax cuts, education reform, and transportation infrastructure.[43] 2012 See also:Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10 through March 16 with a return for limited business on April 24. Major issues in 2012 With potential recalls ofGovernorScott Walker (R),Lieutenant GovernorRebecca Kleefisch (R) andfour Republican state senators, debate on major legislation was expected to be limited. Going into the session, Republican leaders said they were focused on passing bills on only four main issues - clearing the way for an ore mine in northern Wisconsin, easing laws regarding development on wetlands, environmental regulation, and creating a venture capital fund to help start-up businesses.[44] The six recalls dominated the session. Ultimately on June 5, 2012, recalls against the Governor, Lt. Governor, andthree of the state senators were unsuccessful. The fourth recall, that againstVan Wanggaard, went to a recount. Wanggaard was defeated, giving Democrats control of the Senate. 2011 See also:Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature adjourned a special session at the request of GovernorScott Walker (R) on January 4, 2011. The special session was called to consider legislation regarding tax credits, tort law, medical savings accounts, other legislation relating to taxation, and the budget repair bill. The legislature's special session was ongoing. The regular session began on January 11. An extraordinary session was called by the legislature from June 13-30, with another extraordinary session held from July 19-29.[45] 2010 See also:Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature convened its legislative session on January 19, and it ended its last scheduled floor-period on April 22.[46]

About legislative sessions in Wisconsin

TheTenth Amendment of theU.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[47] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions,legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article IV of the Wisconsin Constitution contains provisions related to the meeting of theWisconsin State Legislature, of which the Assembly is a part. Section 11 of Article IV states that the times for regular sessions are to be provided by law. Section 11 also states that theGovernor of Wisconsin has the power to call the Legislature into special session.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includesveto overrides,the role of the legislature in the state budget, andprocedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides

See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Wisconsin are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Authority:Article V, Section 10 of theWisconsin Constitution.

Role in state budget

See also:Wisconsin state budget and finances

Wisconsinon

Check outBallotpedia articles about policy in your state on:

Budgets •Civil liberties •Education •Elections •Energy •Environment •Healthcare •Pensions

Wisconsin operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[48]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inJune.
2. State agencies submit budget requests inSeptember.
3. Thegovernor submits his or her proposed budget to theWisconsin State Legislature inJanuary or February.
4. The legislature adopts a budget inJune or July. A simple majority is needed to pass a budget.
5. The biennial budget cycle beginsJuly 1.

Wisconsin is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.^[48][49]

The governor is constitutionally and statutorily required to submit a balanced budget. In addition, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.^[48]

Committees

See also:List of committees in Wisconsin state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Wisconsin State Assembly has 38 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Wisconsin Constitution can be amended:

See also:Article XII of the Wisconsin Constitution andLaws governing ballot measures in Wisconsin

Article XII of theWisconsin Constitution provides two methods of amendment:

• Alegislatively referred constitutional amendment may be proposed to the voters if approved by a simple majority of both chambers of theWisconsin State Legislature in two legislative sessions.

• If an amendment is approved by a majority in both chambers of the Legislature in one session, that proposed amendment must then be considered by the state legislature chosen at the next general election in the state.
• Before that second legislative session, the proposed amendment that will be considered must be published for three months prior to the election.
• Should the amendment be approved by a simple majority of the second session that considers it, the proposed amendment is then placed on a statewide ballot at a special or general election.
• If it is approved by a simple majority of the state's electorate, it becomes part of the constitution.

• Constitutional conventions can also be used to propose amendments to the state's constitution.

• If a simple majority of both houses of theWisconsin State Legislature votes in favor, aconstitutional convention question is placed on a statewide ballot.
• If the electors of the state agree by a simple majority to call a constitutional convention, then the legislature needs to convene a convention during its next session.

Wisconsin citizens do not have the power of amending the constitution throughinitiated constitutional amendments.

See also

Elections	Wisconsin State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2026 Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2024 Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2022 Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2020 Wisconsin State Assembly elections, 2018	Wisconsin State Legislature Wisconsin State Senate Governor of Wisconsin Wisconsin Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2026 State legislative elections, 2025 State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020 State legislative elections, 2019	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Wisconsin State Assembly

Footnotes

	v • e State ofWisconsin Madison (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2026 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy