September 22, 2022 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
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 […]
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.
June 13, 2022 •
Wisconsin Ethics Commission Issues Memo on Lobbyist Contributions

Flag of Wisconsin
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 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.
February 17, 2022 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session

Gov. Tony Evers - by: Campaign of Tony Evers for governor
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 […]
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.
July 27, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
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 […]
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.
May 25, 2021 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Gavel In and Out of Session

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
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 […]
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.
May 20, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Calls for Special Session

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
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 […]
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.
January 14, 2021 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
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 […]
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.
January 4, 2021 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Adjourn Special Session

Wisconsin Capitol - photo by Dori
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 […]
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.
September 1, 2020 •
Wisconsin Lawmakers Convene and Leave Session Open

Wisconsin Capitol - photo by Dori
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 […]
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.
August 27, 2020 •
Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is calling the legislature into special session. The main topic will be to consider a package of nine bills introduced in June relating to police reform in the wake of recent protests. The special session is […]
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is calling the legislature into special session.
The main topic will be to consider a package of nine bills introduced in June relating to police reform in the wake of recent protests.
The special session is set to begin at noon on August 31.
The length of the session will be determined by the Legislature.
April 6, 2020 •
Wisconsin Governor Issues Order to Delay Election

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order to delay the state’s presidential primary from April 7 until June 9 because of the coronavirus pandemic. If Evers’ executive order holds, Wisconsin would become the 16th state to delay its election amid […]
Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order to delay the state’s presidential primary from April 7 until June 9 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
If Evers’ executive order holds, Wisconsin would become the 16th state to delay its election amid the pandemic.
Republicans are expected to immediately challenge the governor’s order in state court.
Evers had been reluctant to act due to concerns a postponement would be quickly overturned by the state Supreme Court and impact his authority to fight the pandemic.
April 6, 2020 •
Wisconsin Still Planning to Vote on April 7

Wisconsin State Capitol Building
Legislative leaders declined the proposal of Gov. Tony Evers postponing in-person voting for the presidential primary and state elections Tuesday, April 7. Evers called the Legislature into a special session on April 4 to take up legislation avoiding in-person voting. […]
Legislative leaders declined the proposal of Gov. Tony Evers postponing in-person voting for the presidential primary and state elections Tuesday, April 7.
Evers called the Legislature into a special session on April 4 to take up legislation avoiding in-person voting.
The legislation created an all-mail election with a deadline of May 26 to return ballots.
An effort in federal court to delay the election also failed, but did result in a one-week extension for absentee ballots to be received.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.