Wisconsin Constitution
Introduction
PREAMBLE
Article I
Declaration of Rights
Art. I §1 | EQUALITY; INHERENT RIGHTS
Art. I §2 | SLAVERY PROHIBITED
Art. I §3 | FREE SPEECH; LIBEL
Art. I §4 | RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND PETITION
Art. I §5 | TRIAL BY JURY; VERDICT IN CIVIL CASES
Art. I §6 | EXCESSIVE BAIL; CRUEL PUNISHMENTS
Art. I §7 | RIGHTS OF ACCUSED
Art. I §8 | PROSECUTIONS; DOUBLE JEOPARDY; SELF-INCRIMINATION; BAIL; HABEAS CORPUS
(2) All persons, before conviction, shall be eligible for release under reasonable conditions designed to assure their appearance in court, protect members of the community from serious harm as defined by the legislature by law, or prevent the intimidation of witnesses. Monetary conditions of release may be imposed at or after the initial appearance only upon a finding that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the conditions are necessary to assure appearance in court, or if the person is accused of a violent crime as defined by the legislature by law, only upon a finding that there is a reasonable basis to believe that the conditions are necessary based on the totality of the circumstances, taking into account whether the accused has a previous conviction for a violent crime as defined by the legislature by law, the probability that the accused will fail to appear in court, the need to protect members of the community from serious harm as defined by the legislature by law, the need to prevent the intimidation of witnesses, and the potential affirmative defenses of the accused. The legislature may authorize, by law, courts to revoke a person’s release for a violation of a condition of release.
(3) The legislature may by law authorize, but may not require, circuit courts to deny release for a period not to exceed 10 days prior to the hearing required under this subsection to a person who is accused of committing a murder punishable by life imprisonment or a sexual assault punishable by a maximum imprisonment of 20 years, or who is accused of committing or attempting to commit a felony involving serious bodily harm to another or the threat of serious bodily harm to another and who has a previous conviction for committing or attempting to commit a felony involving serious bodily harm to another or the threat of serious bodily harm to another. The legislature may authorize by law, but may not require, circuit courts to continue to deny release to those accused persons for an additional period not to exceed 60 days following the hearing required under this subsection, if there is a requirement that there be a finding by the court based on clear and convincing evidence presented at a hearing that the accused committed the felony and a requirement that there be a finding by the court that available conditions of release will not adequately protect members of the community from serious bodily harm or prevent intimidation of witnesses. Any law enacted under this subsection shall be specific, limited and reasonable. In determining the 10-day and 60-day periods, the court shall omit any period of time found by the court to result from a delay caused by the defendant or a continuance granted which was initiated by the defendant.
(4) The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety requires it.
Art. I §9 | REMEDY FOR WRONGS
Art. I §9m | VICTIMS OF CRIME
2. If the person under subd. 1. is deceased or is physically or emotionally unable to exercise his or her rights under this section, the person’s spouse, parent or legal guardian, sibling, child, person who resided with the deceased at the time of death, or other lawful representative.
3. If the person under subd. 1. is a minor, the person’s parent, legal guardian or custodian, or other lawful representative.
4. If the person under subd. 1. is adjudicated incompetent, the person’s legal guardian or other lawful representative.
(b) To privacy.
(c) To proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
(d) To timely disposition of the case, free from unreasonable delay.
(e) Upon request, to attend all proceedings involving the case.
(f) To reasonable protection from the accused throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process.
(g) Upon request, to reasonable and timely notification of proceedings.
(h) Upon request, to confer with the attorney for the government.
(i) Upon request, to be heard in any proceeding during which a right of the victim is implicated, including release, plea, sentencing, disposition, parole, revocation, expungement, or pardon.
(j) To have information pertaining to the economic, physical, and psychological effect upon the victim of the offense submitted to the authority with jurisdiction over the case and to have that information considered by that authority.
(k) Upon request, to timely notice of any release or escape of the accused or death of the accused if the accused is in custody or on supervision at the time of death.
(L) To refuse an interview, deposition, or other discovery request made by the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused.
(m) To full restitution from any person who has been ordered to pay restitution to the victim and to be provided with assistance collecting restitution.
(n) To compensation as provided by law.
(o) Upon request, to reasonable and timely information about the status of the investigation and the outcome of the case.
(p) To timely notice about all rights under this section and all other rights, privileges, or protections of the victim provided by law, including how such rights, privileges, or protections are enforced.
(4)
(b) Victims may obtain review of all adverse decisions concerning their rights as victims by courts or other authorities with jurisdiction under par. (a) by filing petitions for supervisory writ in the court of appeals and supreme court.
(6) This section is not intended and may not be interpreted to supersede a defendant's federal constitutional rights or to afford party status in a proceeding to any victim.
Art. I §10 | TREASON
Art. I §11 | SEARCHES AND SEIZURES
Art. I §12 | ATTAINDER; EX POST FACTO; CONTRACTS
Art. I §13 | PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC USE
Art. I §14 | FEUDAL TENURES; LEASES; ALIENATION
Art. I §15 | EQUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR ALIENS AND CITIZENS
Art. I §16 | IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT
Art. I §17 | EXEMPTION OF PROPERTY OF DEBTORS
Art. I §18 | FREEDOM OF WORSHIP; LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE; STATE RELIGION; PUBLIC FUNDS
Art. I §19 | RELIGIOUS TESTS PROHIBITED
Art. I §20 | MILITARY SUBORDINATE TO CIVIL POWER
Art. I §21 | RIGHTS OF SUITORS
(2) In any court of this state, any suitor may prosecute or defend his suit either in his own proper person or by an attorney of the suitor’s choice.
Art. I §22 | MAINTENANCE OF FREE GOVERNMENT
Art. I §23 | TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Art. I §24 | USE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Art. I §25 | RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS
Art. I §26 | RIGHT TO FISH, HUNT, TRAP, AND TAKE GAME
Article II
Boundaries
Art. II §1 | STATE BOUNDARY
“An act to enable the people of Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union,”approved August sixth, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, to wit:
thence running with the boundary line of the state of Michigan, through Lake Michigan, Green Bay, to the mouth of the Menominee river;
thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule river;
thence up said last mentioned river to Lake Brule;
thence along the southern shore of Lake Brule in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South Islands, in the Lake of the Desert;
thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as marked upon the survey made by Captain Cramm;
thence down the main channel of the Montreal river to the middle of Lake Superior;
thence through the center of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Louis river;
thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollet’s map;
thence due south to the main branch of the river St. Croix;
thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi;
thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the state of Illinois;
thence due east with the northern boundary of the state of Illinois to the place of beginning, as established by
“An act to enable the people of the Illinois territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union on an equal footing with the original states,”
Art. II §2 | ENABLING ACT ACCEPTED
“An act to appropriate the proceeds of the sales of the public lands, and grant pre-emption rights,”approved September fourth, one thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
Article III
Suffrage
Art. III §1 | ELECTORS
(b) “National office” means the offices of president and vice president of the United States, U.S. senator, and representative in congress.
(c) “Referendum” means an election at which an advisory, validating, or ratifying question is submitted to the electorate.
(d) “State office” means the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, state superintendent of public instruction, justice of the supreme court, court of appeals judge, circuit court judge, state senator, state representative to the assembly, and district attorney.
Art. III §2 | IMPLEMENTATION
(2) Providing for registration of electors.
(3) Providing for absentee voting.
(4) Excluding from the right of suffrage persons:
(b) Adjudged by a court to be incompetent or partially incompetent, unless the judgment specifies that the person is capable of understanding the objective of the elective process or the judgment is set aside.
Art. III §3 | SECRET BALLOT
Art. III §4 | RESIDENCE SAVED
Art. III §5 | MILITARY STATIONING DOES NOT CONFER RESIDENCE
Art. III §6 | EXCLUSION FROM SUFFRAGE
Art. III §7 | PRIVATE DONATIONS AND GRANTS; DESIGNATED ELECTION OFFICIALS
(2) No individual other than an election official designated by law may perform any task in the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum.
Article IV
Legislative
Art. IV §1 | LEGISLATIVE POWER
Art. IV §2 | LEGISLATURE, HOW CONSTITUTED
Art. IV §3 | APPORTIONMENT
Art. IV §4 | REPRESENTATIVES TO THE ASSEMBLY, HOW CHOSEN
Art. IV §5 | SENATORS, HOW CHOSEN
Art. IV §6 | QUALIFICATIONS OF LEGISLATORS
Art. IV §7 | ORGANIZATION OF LEGISLATURE; QUORUM; COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE
Art. IV §8 | RULES; CONTEMPTS; EXPULSION
Art. IV §9 | OFFICERS
(2) The legislature shall provide by law for the establishment of a department of transportation and a transportation fund.
Art. IV §10 | JOURNALS; OPEN DOORS; ADJOURNMENTS
Art. IV §11 | MEETING OF LEGISLATURE
Art. IV §12 | INELIGIBILITY OF LEGISLATORS TO OFFICE
Art. IV §13 | INELIGIBILITY OF FEDERAL OFFICERS
Art. IV §14 | FILLING VACANCIES
Art. IV §15 | EXEMPTION FROM ARREST AND CIVIL PROCESS
Art. IV §16 | PRIVILEGE IN DEBATE
Art. IV §17 | ENACTMENT OF LAWS
“The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:”.(2) No law shall be enacted except by bill. No law shall be in force until published.
(3) The legislature shall provide by law for the speedy publication of all laws.
Art. IV §18 | TITLE OF PRIVATE BILLS
Art. IV §19 | ORIGIN OF BILLS
Art. IV §20 | YEAS AND NAYS
Art. IV §21 | COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS
Art. IV §22 | POWERS OF COUNTY BOARDS
Art. IV §23 | TOWN AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Art. IV §23a | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO APPROVE OR VETO RESOLUTIONS OR ORDINANCES; PROCEEDINGS ON VETO
Art. IV §24 | GAMBLING
(2) Except as otherwise provided by law, the following activities do not constitute consideration as an element of gambling:
(b) To fill out a coupon or entry blank, whether or not proof of purchase is required.
(c) To visit a mercantile establishment or other place without being required to make a purchase or pay an admittance fee.
(4) The legislature may authorize the following raffle games licensed by the state, but all profits shall accrue to the licensed local organization and no salaries, fees or profits may be paid to any other organization or person: raffle games operated by local religious, charitable, service, fraternal or veterans’ organizations or those to which contributions are deductible for federal or state income tax purposes. The legislature shall limit the number of raffles conducted by any such organization.
(5) This section shall not prohibit pari-mutuel on-track betting as provided by law. The state may not own or operate any facility or enterprise for pari-mutuel betting, or lease any state-owned land to any other owner or operator for such purposes. All moneys received by the state that are attributable to pari-mutuel on-track betting shall be used for property tax relief for residents of this state as provided by law. The distribution of moneys that are attributable to pari-mutuel on-track betting may not vary based on the income or age of the person provided the property tax relief. The distribution of moneys that are attributable to pari-mutuel on-track betting shall not be subject to the uniformity requirement of section 1 of article VIII. In this subsection, the distribution of all moneys attributable to pari-mutuel on-track betting shall include any earnings on the moneys received by the state that are attributable to pari-mutuel on-track betting, but shall not include any moneys used for the regulation of, and enforcement of law relating to, pari-mutuel on-track betting.
(6)
(b) The lottery authorized under par. (a) shall be an enterprise that entitles the player, by purchasing a ticket, to participate in a game of chance if:
2) the ticket is evidence of the numbers or symbols selected by the player or, at the player’s option, selected by a computer, and the player becomes entitled to a prize as prescribed in the features and procedures for the game, including an opportunity to win a prize in a secondary or subsequent chance drawing or game if some or all of the player’s symbols or numbers are selected in a chance drawing or game, if the player’s ticket is randomly selected by the computer at the time of purchase or if the ticket is selected in a chance drawing.
2) any banking card game, including blackjack, baccarat or chemin de fer;
3) poker;
4) roulette;
5) craps or any other game that involves rolling dice;
6) keno;
7) bingo 21, bingo jack, bingolet or bingo craps;
8) any game of chance that is placed on a slot machine or any mechanical, electromechanical or electronic device that is generally available to be played at a gambling casino;
9) any game or device that is commonly known as a video game of chance or a video gaming machine or that is commonly considered to be a video gambling machine, unless such machine is a video device operated by the state in a game authorized under par. (a) to permit the sale of tickets through retail outlets under contract with the state and the device does not determine or indicate whether the player has won a prize, other than by verifying that the player’s ticket or some or all of the player’s symbols or numbers on the player’s ticket have been selected in a chance drawing, or by verifying that the player’s ticket has been randomly selected by a central system computer at the time of purchase;
10) any game that is similar to a game listed in this paragraph; or
11) any other game that is commonly considered to be a form of gambling and is not, or is not substantially similar to, a game conducted by the state under par. (a). No game conducted by the state under par. (a) may permit a player of the game to purchase a ticket, or to otherwise participate in the game, from a residence by using a computer, telephone or other form of electronic, telecommunication, video or technological aid.
Art. IV §25 | STATIONERY AND PRINTING
Art. IV §26 | EXTRA COMPENSATION; SALARY CHANGE
(2) Except as provided in this subsection, the compensation of a public officer may not be increased or diminished during the term of office:
(b) Any increase in the compensation of members of the legislature shall take effect, for all senators and representatives to the assembly, after the next general election beginning with the new assembly term.
Art. IV §27 | SUITS AGAINST STATE
Art. IV §28 | OATH OF OFFICE
Art. IV §29 | MILITIA
Art. IV §30 | ELECTIONS BY LEGISLATURE
Art. IV §31 | SPECIAL AND PRIVATE LAWS PROHIBITED
(2) For laying out, opening or altering highways, except in cases of state roads extending into more than one county, and military roads to aid in the construction of which lands may be granted by congress.
(3) For authorizing persons to keep ferries across streams at points wholly within this state.
(4) For authorizing the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors or others under disability.
(5) For locating or changing any county seat.
(6) For assessment or collection of taxes or for extending the time for the collection thereof.
(7) For granting corporate powers or privileges, except to cities.
(8) For authorizing the apportionment of any part of the school fund.
(9) For incorporating any city, town or village, or to amend the charter thereof.
Art. IV §32 | GENERAL LAWS ON ENUMERATED SUBJECTS
Art. IV §33 | AUDITING OF STATE ACCOUNTS
Art. IV §34 | CONTINUITY OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
(2) adopt such other measures as may be necessary and proper for attaining the objectives of this section.
Article V
Executive
Art. V §1 | GOVERNOR; LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR; TERM
Art. V §1m | GOVERNOR; 4-YEAR TERM
Art. V §1n | LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR; 4-YEAR TERM
Art. V §2 | ELIGIBILITY
Art. V §3 | ELECTION
Art. V §4 | POWERS AND DUTIES
Art. V §5 | COMPENSATION OF GOVERNOR
Art. V §6 | PARDONING POWER
Art. V §7 | LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHEN GOVERNOR
(2) If the governor is absent from this state, impeached, or from mental or physical disease, becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office, the lieutenant governor shall serve as acting governor for the balance of the unexpired term or until the governor returns, the disability ceases or the impeachment is vacated. But when the governor, with the consent of the legislature, shall be out of this state in time of war at the head of the state’s military force, the governor shall continue as commander in chief of the military force.
Art. V §8 | SECRETARY OF STATE, WHEN GOVERNOR
(2) If there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor and the governor is absent from this state, impeached, or from mental or physical disease becomes incapable of performing the duties of the office, the secretary of state shall serve as acting governor for the balance of the unexpired term or until the governor returns, the disability ceases or the impeachment is vacated.
Art. V §9 | COMPENSATION OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Art. V §10 | GOVERNOR TO APPROVE OR VETO BILLS; PROCEEDINGS ON VETO
(b) If the governor approves and signs the bill, the bill shall become law. Appropriation bills may be approved in whole or in part by the governor, and the part approved shall become law.
(c) In approving an appropriation bill in part, the governor may not create a new word by rejecting individual letters in the words of the enrolled bill, and may not create a new sentence by combining parts of 2 or more sentences of the enrolled bill.
(b) The rejected part of an appropriation bill, together with the governor’s objections in writing, shall be returned to the house in which the bill originated. The house of origin shall enter the objections at large upon the journal and proceed to reconsider the rejected part of the appropriation bill. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members present agree to approve the rejected part notwithstanding the objections of the governor, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of the members present the rejected part shall become law.
(c) In all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by ayes and noes, and the names of the members voting for or against passage of the bill or the rejected part of the bill notwithstanding the objections of the governor shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively.
Article VI
Administrative
Art. VI §1 | ELECTION OF SECRETARY OF STATE, TREASURER AND ATTORNEY GENERAL; TERM
Art. VI §1m | SECRETARY OF STATE
Art. VI §1n | TREASURER
Art. VI §1p | ATTORNEY GENERAL
Art. VI §2 | SECRETARY OF STATE; DUTIES, COMPENSATION
Art. VI §3 | TREASURER AND ATTORNEY GENERAL; DUTIES, COMPENSATION
Art. VI §4 | COUNTY OFFICERS; ELECTION, TERMS, REMOVAL; VACANCIES
(b) Beginning with the first general election at which the governor is elected which occurs after the ratification of this paragraph, sheriffs shall be chosen by the electors of the respective counties, or by the electors of all of the respective counties comprising each combination of counties combined by the legislature for that purpose, for the term of 4 years and coroners in counties in which there is a coroner shall be chosen by the electors of the respective counties, or by the electors of all of the respective counties comprising each combination of counties combined by the legislature for that purpose, for the term of 4 years.
(c) Beginning with the first general election at which the president is elected which occurs after the ratification of this paragraph, district attorneys, registers of deeds, county clerks, and treasurers shall be chosen by the electors of the respective counties, or by the electors of all of the respective counties comprising each combination of counties combined by the legislature for that purpose, for the term of 4 years and surveyors in counties in which the office of surveyor is filled by election shall be chosen by the electors of the respective counties, or by the electors of all of the respective counties comprising each combination of counties combined by the legislature for that purpose, for the term of 4 years.
(3)
(b) Sheriffs may be required by law to renew their security from time to time, and in default of giving such new security their office shall be deemed vacant.
(5) All vacancies in the offices of coroner, register of deeds or district attorney shall be filled by appointment. The person appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term to which appointed and until a successor shall be elected and qualified.
(6) When a vacancy occurs in the office of sheriff, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the governor, and the person appointed shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
Article VII
Judiciary
Art. VII §1 | IMPEACHMENT; TRIAL
Art. VII §2 | COURT SYSTEM
Art. VII §3 | SUPREME COURT: JURISDICTION
(2) The supreme court has appellate jurisdiction over all courts and may hear original actions and proceedings. The supreme court may issue all writs necessary in aid of its jurisdiction.
(3) The supreme court may review judgments and orders of the court of appeals, may remove cases from the court of appeals and may accept cases on certification by the court of appeals.
Art. VII §4 | SUPREME COURT: ELECTION, CHIEF JUSTICE, COURT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION
(2) The chief justice of the supreme court shall be elected for a term of 2 years by a majority of the justices then serving on the court. The justice so designated as chief justice may, irrevocably, decline to serve as chief justice or resign as chief justice but continue to serve as a justice of the supreme court.
(3) The chief justice of the supreme court shall be the administrative head of the judicial system and shall exercise this administrative authority pursuant to procedures adopted by the supreme court. The chief justice may assign any judge of a court of record to aid in the proper disposition of judicial business in any court of record except the supreme court.
Art. VII §5{x} | JURIDICAL CIRCUITS
Art. VII §5 | COURT OF APPEALS
(2) For each district of the appeals court there shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the district one or more appeals judges as prescribed by law, who shall sit as prescribed by law. Appeals judges shall be elected for 6-year terms and shall reside in the district from which elected. No alteration of district or circuit boundaries shall have the effect of removing an appeals judge from office during the judge’s term. In case of an increase in the number of appeals judges, the first judge or judges shall be elected for full terms unless the legislature prescribes a shorter initial term for staggering of terms.
(3) The appeals court shall have such appellate jurisdiction in the district, including jurisdiction to review administrative proceedings, as the legislature may provide by law, but shall have no original jurisdiction other than by prerogative writ. The appeals court may issue all writs necessary in aid of its jurisdiction and shall have supervisory authority over all actions and proceedings in the courts in the district.
Art. VII §6 | CIRCUIT COURT: BOUNDARIES
Art. VII §7 | CIRCUIT COURT: ELECTION
Art. VII §8 | CIRCUIT COURT: JURISDICTION
Art. VII §9 | JUDICIAL ELECTIONS, VACANCIES
Art. VII §10 | JUDGES: ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE
(2) Justices of the supreme court and judges of the courts of record shall receive such compensation as the legislature may authorize by law, but may not receive fees of office.
Art. VII §11{x} | TERMS OF COURTS; CHANGE OF JUDGES
Art. VII §11 | DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
Art. VII §12 | CLERKS OF CIRCUIT AND SUPREME COURTS
(2) Beginning with the first general election at which the governor is elected which occurs after the ratification of this subsection, a clerk of circuit court shall be chosen by the electors of each county, for the term of 4 years, subject to removal as provided by law.
(3) In case of a vacancy, the judge of the circuit court may appoint a clerk until the vacancy is filled by an election.
(4) The clerk of circuit court shall give such security as the legislature requires by law.
(5) The supreme court shall appoint its own clerk, and may appoint a clerk of circuit court to be the clerk of the supreme court.
Art. VII §13 | JUSTICES AND JUDGES: REMOVAL BY ADDRESS
Art. VII §14 | MUNICIPAL COURT
Art. VII §15 | JUSTICES OF THE PEACE
Art. VII §16 | TRIBUNALS OF CONCILIATION
Art. VII §17 | STYLE OF WRITS; INDICTMENTS
Art. VII §18 | SUIT TAX
Art. VII §19 | TESTIMONY IN EQUITY SUITS; MASTER IN CHANCERY
Art. VII §20 | RIGHTS OF SUITORS
Art. VII §21 | PUBLICATION OF LAWS AND DECISIONS
Art. VII §22 | COMMISSIONERS TO REVISE CODE OF PRACTICE
Art. VII §23 | COURT COMMISSIONERS
Art. VII §24 | JUSTICES AND JUDGES: ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE; RETIREMENT
(2) Unless assigned temporary service under subsection (3), no person may serve as a supreme court justice or judge of a court of record beyond the July 31 following the date on which such person attains that age, of not less than 70 years, which the legislature shall prescribe by law.
(3) A person who has served as a supreme court justice or judge of a court of record may, as provided by law, serve as a judge of any court of record except the supreme court on a temporary basis if assigned by the chief justice of the supreme court.
Article VIII
Finance
Art. VIII §1 | RULE OF TAXATION UNIFORM; INCOME, PRIVILEGE AND OCCUPATION TAXES
Art. VIII §2 | APPROPRIATION; LIMITATION
Art. VIII §3 | CREDIT OF STATE
Art. VIII §4 | CONTRACTING STATE DEBTS
Art. VIII §5 | ANNUAL TAX LEVY TO EQUAL EXPENSES
Art. VIII §6 | PUBLIC DEBT FOR EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSE; TAXATION
Art. VIII §7 | PUBLIC DEBT FOR PUBLIC DEFENSE; BONDING FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES
(2) Any other provision of this constitution to the contrary notwithstanding:
2. To make funds available for veterans’ housing loans.
2. Five per centum of the aggregate value of all taxable property in the state less the sum of:
b. the outstanding indebtedness as of January 1 of such calendar year of any entity of the type described in paragraph (d) to the extent that such indebtedness is supported by or payable from payments out of the treasury of the state.
(d) No money shall be paid out of the treasury, with respect to any lease, sublease or other agreement entered into after January 1, 1971, to the Wisconsin State Agencies Building Corporation, Wisconsin State Colleges Building Corporation, Wisconsin State Public Building Corporation, Wisconsin University Building Corporation or any similar entity existing or operating for similar purposes pursuant to which such nonprofit corporation or such other entity undertakes to finance or provide a facility for use or occupancy by the state or an agency, department or instrumentality thereof.
(e) The legislature shall prescribe all matters relating to the contracting of public debt pursuant to paragraph (a), including:
(g) At any time after January 1, 1972, by vote of a majority of the members elected to each of the 2 houses of the legislature, the legislature may declare that an emergency exists and submit to the people a proposal to authorize the state to contract a specific amount of public debt for a purpose specified in such proposal, without regard to the limit provided in paragraph (b). Any such authorization shall be effective if approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon. Public debt contracted pursuant to such authorization shall thereafter be deemed to have been contracted pursuant to paragraph (a), but neither such public debt nor any public debt contracted to fund or refund such public debt shall be considered in computing the debt limit provided in paragraph (b). Not more than one such authorization shall be thus made in any 2-year period.
Art. VIII §8 | VOTE ON FISCAL BILLS; QUORUM
Art. VIII §9 | EVIDENCES OF PUBLIC DEBT
Art. VIII §10 | INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
(2) The state may appropriate money in the treasury or to be thereafter raised by taxation for:
(b) The development, improvement and construction of airports or other aeronautical projects.
(c) The acquisition, improvement or construction of veterans’ housing.
(d) The improvement of port facilities.
(e) The acquisition, development, improvement or construction of railways and other railroad facilities.
Art. VIII §11 | TRANSPORTATION FUND
Article IX
Eminent Domain and Property of the State
Art. IX §1 | JURISDICTION ON RIVERS AND LAKES; NAVIGABLE WATERS
Art. IX §2 | TERRITORIAL PROPERTY
Art. IX §3 | ULTIMATE PROPERTY IN LANDS; ESCHEATS
Article X
Education
Art. X §1 | SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
Art. X §2 | SCHOOL FUND CREATED; INCOME APPLIED
“An act to appropriate the proceeds of the sales of the public lands and to grant pre-emption rights,”approved September 4, 1841; and also the 5 percent of the net proceeds of the public lands to which the state shall become entitled on admission into the union (if congress shall consent to such appropriation of the 2 grants last mentioned) shall be set apart as a separate fund to be called “the school fund,” the interest of which and all other revenues derived from the school lands shall be exclusively applied to the following objects, to wit:
(2) The residue shall be appropriated to the support and maintenance of academies and normal schools, and suitable libraries and apparatus therefor.
Art. X §3 | DISTRICT SCHOOLS; TUITION; SECTARIAN INSTRUCTION; RELEASED TIME
Art. X §4 | ANNUAL SCHOOL TAX
Art. X §5 | INCOME OF SCHOOL FUND
Art. X §6 | STATE UNIVERSITY; SUPPORT
Art. X §7 | COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC LANDS
Art. X §8 | SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS
Article XI
Corporations
Art. XI §1 | CORPORATIONS; HOW FORMED
Art. XI §2 | PROPERTY TAKEN BY MUNICIPALITY
Art. XI §3 | MUNICIPAL HOME RULE; DEBT LIMIT; TAX TO PAY DEBT
(2) No county, city, town, village, school district, sewerage district or other municipal corporation may become indebted in an amount that exceeds an allowable percentage of the taxable property located therein equalized for state purposes as provided by the legislature. In all cases the allowable percentage shall be 5 percent except as specified in pars. (a) and (b):
(b) For any school district which offers no less than grades one to 12 and which at the time of incurring such debt is eligible for the highest level of school aids, 10 percent shall be permitted.
(4) When indebtedness under sub. (2) is incurred in the acquisition of lands by cities, or by counties or sewerage districts having a population of 150,000 or over, for public, municipal purposes, or for the permanent improvement thereof, or to purchase, acquire, construct, extend, add to or improve a sewage collection or treatment system which services all or a part of such city or county, the city, county or sewerage district incurring the indebtedness shall, before or at the time of so doing, provide for the collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge the principal thereof within a period not exceeding 50 years from the time of contracting the same.
(5) An indebtedness created for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring, leasing, constructing, extending, adding to, improving, conducting, controlling, operating or managing a public utility of a town, village, city or special district, and secured solely by the property or income of such public utility, and whereby no municipal liability is created, shall not be considered an indebtedness of such town, village, city or special district, and shall not be included in arriving at the debt limitation under sub. (2).
Art. XI §3a | ACQUISITION OF LANDS BY STATE AND SUBDIVISIONS; SALE OF EXCESS
Art. XI §4 | GENERAL BANKING LAW
Art. XI §5 | REFERENDUM ON BANKING LAWS
Article XII
Amendments
Art. XII §1 | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Art. XII §2 | CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS
Article XIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Art. XIII §1 | POLITICAL YEAR; ELECTIONS
Art. XIII §2 | DUELING
Art. XIII §3 | ELIGIBILITY TO OFFICE
(2) No person convicted of a felony, in any court within the United States, no person convicted in federal court of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under federal law as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust and no person convicted, in a court of a state, of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under the law of the state as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust shall be eligible to any office of trust, profit or honor in this state unless pardoned of the conviction.
(3) No person may seek to have placed on any ballot for a state or local elective office in this state the name of a person convicted of a felony, in any court within the United States, the name of a person convicted in federal court of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under federal law as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust or the name of a person convicted, in a court of a state, of a crime designated, at the time of commission, under the law of the state as a misdemeanor involving a violation of public trust, unless the person named for the ballot has been pardoned of the conviction.
Art. XIII §4 | GREAT SEAL
Art. XIII §5 | RESIDENTS ON INDIAN LANDS, WHERE TO VOTE
Art. XIII §6 | LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS
Art. XIII §7 | DIVISION OF COUNTIES
Art. XIII §8 | REMOVAL OF COUNTY SEATS
Art. XIII §9 | ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT OF STATUTORY OFFICERS
Art. XIII §10 | VACANCIES IN OFFICE
(2) Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor, the governor shall nominate a successor to serve for the balance of the unexpired term, who shall take office after confirmation by the senate and by the assembly.
Art. XIII §11 | PASSES, FRANKS AND PRIVILEGES
No political committee, and no member or employee thereof, no candidate for and no incumbent of any office or position under the constitution or laws, or under any ordinance of any town or municipality of this state, shall ask for, or accept, from any person, association, co-partnership, or corporation, or use, in any manner, or for any purpose, any free pass or frank, or any privilege withheld from any person, for the traveling accommodation or transportation of any person or property, or the transmission of any message or communication.
Any violation of any of the above provisions shall be bribery and punished as provided by law, and if any officer or any member of the legislature be guilty thereof, his office shall become vacant.
No person within the purview of this act shall be privileged from testifying in relation to anything therein prohibited; and no person having so testified shall be liable to any prosecution or punishment for any offense concerning which he was required to give his testimony or produce any documentary evidence.
Notaries public and regular employees of a railroad or other public utilities who are candidates for or hold public offices for which the annual compensation is not more than three hundred dollars to whom no passes or privileges are extended beyond those which are extended to other regular employees of such corporations are excepted from the provisions of this section.
Art. XIII §12 | RECALL OF ELECTIVE OFFICERS
(2) The filing officer with whom the recall petition is filed shall call a recall election for the Tuesday of the 6th week after the date of filing the petition or, if that Tuesday is a legal holiday, on the first day after that Tuesday which is not a legal holiday.
(3) The incumbent shall continue to perform the duties of the office until the recall election results are officially declared.
(4) Unless the incumbent declines within 10 days after the filing of the petition, the incumbent shall without filing be deemed to have filed for the recall election. Other candidates may file for the office in the manner provided by law for special elections. For the purpose of conducting elections under this section:
(b) For any partisan office, a recall primary shall be held for each political party which is by law entitled to a separate ballot and from which more than one candidate competes for the party’s nomination in the recall election. The person receiving the highest number of votes in the recall primary for each political party shall be that party’s candidate in the recall election. Independent candidates and candidates representing political parties not entitled by law to a separate ballot shall be shown on the ballot for the recall election only.
(c) When a recall primary is required, the date specified under sub. (2) shall be the date of the recall primary and the recall election shall be held on the Tuesday of the 4th week after the recall primary or, if that Tuesday is a legal holiday, on the first day after that Tuesday which is not a legal holiday.
(6) After one such petition and recall election, no further recall petition shall be filed against the same officer during the term for which he was elected.
(7) This section shall be self-executing and mandatory. Laws may be enacted to facilitate its operation but no law shall be enacted to hamper, restrict or impair the right of recall.
Art. XIII §13 | MARRIAGE
Notes
“art. XIII, 13 of the Wisconsin Constitution violates plaintiffs’ fundamental right to marry and their right to equal protection of laws under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.”Affirmed. 766 F.3d 648. U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Case No. 14-2526, issued September 4, 2014.
Schedule
Art. XIV §1 | EFFECT OF CHANGE FROM TERRITORY TO STATE
Art. XIV §2 | TERRITORIAL LAWS CONTINUED
Art. XIV §3 | TERRITORIAL FINES ACCRUE TO STATE
Art. XIV §4 | RIGHTS OF ACTION AND PROSECUTIONS SAVED
Art. XIV §5 | EXISTING OFFICERS HOLD OVER
Art. XIV §6 | SEAT OF GOVERNMENT
Art. XIV §7 | LOCAL OFFICERS HOLD OVER
Art. XIV §8 | COPY OF CONSTITUTION FOR PRESIDENT
Art. XIV §9 | RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTION; ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Art. XIV §10 | CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENT
Art. XIV §11 | FIRST ELECTIONS
Art. XIV §12 | LEGISLATIVE APPORTIONMENT
Art. XIV §13 | COMMON LAW CONTINUED IN FORCE
Art. XIV §14 | OFFICERS, WHEN TO ENTER ON DUTIES
Art. XIV §15 | OATH OF OFFICE
Art. XIV §16 | IMPLEMENTING REVISED STRUCTURE OF JUDICIAL BRANCH
This material might help you recover from the damages that lawbreaking judges/lawyers/agencies/organizations have inflicted upon you [and/or the public] (see this example of a Florida judge who outright committed perjury).
Perhaps it'll [even] help you navigate through your state's administrative gauntlet. A gauntlet which might include – but not be limited to:
- State Agency Bribery;
- State Agency Corruption;
- State Agency Obstruction; and
- State Agency Self-Discrimination
Sincerely,
www.TextBookDiscrimination.com
