2020 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 13. Legislative branch.
13.55 Commission on uniform state laws.

13.55 Commission on uniform state laws.

(1) Creation.

(a)

1. There is created a commission on uniform state laws to advise the legislature with regard to uniform laws and model laws. Except as provided under par. (b), the commission shall consist of all of the following:

a. The director of the legislative council staff or a professional employee of the legislative council staff designated by the director.

b. The chief of the legislative reference bureau or a professional employee under s. 13.92 (1) (b) designated by the chief.

d. Two senators and 2 representatives to the assembly from the 2 major political parties appointed as are members of standing committees for 2-year terms.

e. Two public members appointed by the governor for 4-year terms.

f. Members having the status of life members of the national Uniform Law Commission as delegates of this state, appointed by the commission members specified in subd. 1. a. to e., for 4-year terms.

2. The terms of members appointed under subd. 1. e. or f. shall expire on May 1 of an odd-numbered year.

(b)

1. Except as otherwise provided in subds. 2. and 3., only senators and representatives to the assembly who are members of the bar association of this state may be appointed to seats designated for the offices of senator and representative to the assembly under par. (a).

2. A seat designated for the office of senator or representative to the assembly under par. (a) that cannot be filled because of the requirement under subd. 1., or because a senator or representative to the assembly is unwilling or unable to serve on the delegation, may be filled by a former senator or representative to the assembly from the applicable political party who served on the commission during his or her term as a senator or representative to the assembly and who is a member of the bar association of this state.

3. A seat designated for the office of senator or representative to the assembly under par. (a) that cannot be filled as provided in subd. 1. or 2. because there is no individual meeting the described eligibility criteria who is able or willing to serve on the delegation may be filled by any member of the bar association of this state.

4. A former senator or representative to the assembly or other person may be appointed as provided in subd. 2. or 3. as are members of standing committees and shall serve for a 2-year term as provided under par. (a).

5. This paragraph does not apply if the national Uniform Law Commission permits individuals to become voting commissioners or associate members of the national Uniform Law Commission without regard to membership in the bar of the state that the individual represents.

(c) Except as provided in sub. (2), members of the commission appointed under par. (a) 1. f. shall have the same rights and responsibilities as all other members, including voting rights.

(2) Quorum; scheduled meetings. Any 5 members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of determining whether a quorum exists, members appointed under sub. (1) (a) 1. f. may not be counted. The commission shall meet at least once every 2 years.

(3) National conference. Each commissioner may attend the annual meeting of the national Uniform Law Commission and shall do all of the following:

(a) Examine subjects on which uniformity of legislation is desirable.

(b) Ascertain the best methods to effect uniformity.

(c) Cooperate with commissioners in other states in the preparation of uniform acts.

(d) Prepare bills adapting such uniform acts to the Wisconsin statutes, for introduction in the legislature.

(4) Report. The commission shall make a biennial report to the law revision committee of the joint legislative council.

History: 1973 c. 243; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 110, 204, 294, 355, 357; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 52, 490; 2001 a. 107; 2003 a. 2; 2005 a. 23, 149; 2007 a. 20; 2017 a. 200.