Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 175 calling for a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature to begin Tuesday, October 4 to consider and act upon two proposals allowing voters to introduce ballot initiatives and amending the constitution to create a statewide binding referendum process that would allow voters to propose laws and constitutional amendments and repeal state laws.

Currently, any constitutional amendment must be passed by two consecutive legislatures before it is placed on a ballot for voters.

Lawmakers convened the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers on June 22 and immediately adjourned without considering Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban.

Evers called the special session for lawmakers to consider legislation to repeal the abortion ban enacted in 1849.

The ban on contributions while lawmakers are in special session ended when the special session adjourned.

The Wisconsin Ethics Commission issued a memo reminding lobbyists of the ban on contributions while lawmakers are in special session.

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 168, calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin Wednesday, June 22.

The Ethics Commission announced the window for personal contributions from lobbyists closes at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22 and lasts until the special session is adjourned.

Once the session is adjourned, the commission will provide notice the window is open.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 168 calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin Wednesday, June 22.

Evers wants lawmakers to take up legislation to repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban.

The last general-business floorperiod of the 2021-2022 session of the Wisconsin General Assembly adjourned March 15.

Lawmakers finished work on 80 bills so they can focus on campaigning for the fall election.

Some bills are likely to be vetoed, including an expansion of the state’s school voucher program and a bill dividing the Milwaukee school district into four to eight smaller districts beginning in 2024.

A constitutional amendment also passed that would strip the governor of his ability to spend federal aid, giving that power to the Legislature.

Constitutional amendments must pass two consecutive legislative sessions and a statewide referendum.

Senate approval Tuesday marked the first session the proposal has passed.

A limited-business floorperiod will be held in April and a veto review floorperiod in May.

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 156 calling for a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature to begin Tuesday, March 8.

Evers wants lawmakers to consider his plan to use a portion of the state’s $3.8 billion projected surplus to provide a $150 surplus refund to every Wisconsin resident, provide targeted relief for childcare and caregiver costs, and invest in education.

Wisconsin lawmakers introduced seven bills to address a campaign finance system perceived to favor wealthy donors.

The proposed campaign finance reforms include lower contribution limits for statewide candidates; a broader definition of political action committee; a prohibition on making expenditures for certain mass communications if coordinated with a candidate; a prohibition on corporate or labor organization contributions to a segregated fund; and disclosure of donor employment information for cumulative contributions of more than $100.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order 127 calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin Tuesday, July 27 to consider a proposal to invest more than $500 million in funding for K-12 schools, the University of Wisconsin and Technical College systems, special education funding, and per pupil aid.

Wisconsin lawmakers convened the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers on May 25 for less than a minute and adjourned without considering the governor’s plan.

Evers called the special session to consider the expansion of BadgerCare, the Wisconsin Medicaid system, and invest the $1 billion in cost savings realized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into Wisconsin’s economic recovery.

As of today, 38 states have approved Medicaid expansion to become eligible for the additional federal funding.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #116 today calling for a special session of the Legislature to begin at noon on Tuesday, May 25 to consider the expansion of BadgerCare, the Wisconsin Medicaid system, and invest the $1 billion in cost savings realized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into Wisconsin’s economic recovery and more than 50 projects and economic development initiatives across the state.

Wisconsin would be the 37th state to approve Medicaid expansion and become eligible for the additional federal funding.

Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order calling for a special election on July 13.

The election will fill the Assembly District 37 seat being vacated after Sen. John Jagler was elected to the 13th Senate District.

A primary, if necessary, will be held on June 15.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced he was calling a special session of the Legislature during his State of the State address, delivered virtually for the first time in the state’s history.

He called the special session to consider the State Unemployment System.

Evers explained that, due to an outdated system, the Department of Workforce Development has struggled to keep up with an unprecedented number of claims.

Wisconsin Lawmakers ended the third special session on December 22, with a final adjournment pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.

The session was called by Gov. Tony Evers and began on August 31, 2020.

Wisconsin law does not require lawmakers to take any action during a special session and none was taken.

The constitution prohibits either chamber from adjourning without consent of the other for more than 3 days.

Lawmakers then convened and immediately adjourned every Tuesday and Thursday without taking any action until the final adjournment.

Wisconsin lawmakers convened the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers on August 31.

The session met for less than a minute and adjourned until September 3, in what is termed a skeletal session.

No Senate Republicans were present for the session.

Wisconsin law does not require lawmakers to take any action during a special session.

The session is adjourned for three days to comply with the constitutional requirement that neither house may adjourn without the consent of the other for more than 3 days.

They may continue in this manner until both houses agree on a course of action or to adjourn sine die.