City or county ordinances used to be very difficult to find, but more and more local governments are putting their laws online making access much easier. The Wisconsin State Law Library has compiled a very …
Legislation & Regs
Ban on Texting While Driving Begins Dec 1st
2009 Wisconsin Act 220, which prohibits electronic text messaging and electronic mail messaging while driving, takes effect Dec 1, 2010. Specifically, the Act creates s. 346.89(3), which states: “No person may drive, as defined in …
Matrix Codes to Appear on WI Bills, Amendments, & Resolutions
Starting in January 2011, Wisconsin legislative proposals (bills, amendments, and resolutions) will display a graphic code called a “matrix code” that contains a URL, or hyperlink. From the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau: With an Internet-connected …
WI Public Records Opinions & Documents Available on DOJ Site
The State Bar reports that the Wisconsin Department of Justice website now offers access to information about Wisconsin Public Records Law. The site includes: Attorney General Opinions on Public Records Issues Sample Public Records Documents …
Guidance on Open Meetings and Public Records Compliance
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has recently posted updated guides to open meetings and public records compliance. In addition, Attorney General Van Hollen will be hosting free seminars to promote public awareness of and compliance …
Guide to Researching the History & Intent of WI Administrative Rules
The latest InsideTrack from the State Bar of Wisconsin has an excellent guide on Investigating Wisconsin Administrative Rules. Author, Bev Butula writes: Many issues we research center around the rules established by administrative agencies. It …
Atty General Advises that Personal Email Exception to Public Records Law be Narrowly Applied
Wisconsin Attorney General Van Hollen recently issued a memorandum addressing the practical impact of the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court case, Schill v. Wisconsin Rapids School District. In Schill, the Court held that the Public Records …
Federal Register Online Redesign
In celebration of its 75th anniversary, the Federal Register launched a new online edition this week. From the press release: Federal Register 2.0 features a new layout that organizes the content by topics similar to …
Acts and Joint Resolutions of the 2009 -10 WI Legislative Session
Research Bulletin 2010-1 from the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau provides an overview of the acts and joint resolutions of the 2009 -2010 Wisconsin Legislative Session. Legislation is organized by topic with acts described under the …
A History of WI Constitutional Amendments in Compliance (or Not) with the Separate Amendment Rule
Informational Memorandum 10?3 from the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau analyzes all of the constitutional amendments submitted to the electorate since the constitution was ratified in 1848 and highlights those that may not comply with the …